A two-bedroom terraced house in Stantonbury, Milton Keynes, put on the market for £210,000 has prompted widespread online criticism after estate-agent photos showed thick black mould across multiple rooms.
The listing describes the property as having "great potential" and being "perfect for buyers looking for a renovation project," noting high ceilings, generously sized bedrooms and a single garage. Photographs attached to the advertisement, however, show extensive mould on walls, floors, ceilings and staircases, and social media users questioned whether the property could be safely occupied without major remediation.
The estate agent also highlighted the property's proximity to local amenities, schools and transport links. The advertisement originally listed the home at a higher price before it was reduced; the listing reportedly received an offer of £215,000, £5,000 above the asking price, and was seeking higher bids.
A video posted by the Instagram account Housing Horrors labelled the property the "worst house in the UK," and the post was widely shared. Comments on the social platforms expressed health concerns and disbelief at the asking price, with some users saying they would need to be paid to live in such conditions and others warning of respiratory risks.
The images in the listing suggest a full renovation would be required before the property could be considered habitable. Mould of the kind visible in the photos can reflect long-standing damp problems and often requires professional removal, structural repairs and, in some cases, replacement of affected materials.
The Stantonbury listing follows other high-profile examples this year in which properties were marketed at typical residential prices despite severe mould infestations. In February, a two-bedroom flat in Barking, east London, advertised for about £220,000 drew criticism after photos showed black mould along stairs, landings and multiple rooms while the agent's description touted bright interiors.
Estate agents and sellers commonly market properties as renovation opportunities, but public reaction to the Milton Keynes listing underscores the tension between marketing language and visual evidence of health and safety hazards. The listing remains on the market while potential buyers and observers weigh the scale and cost of the repairs implied by the photographs.
Local councils and public health bodies advise that extensive mould and damp should be investigated and remedied by qualified professionals, and that potential buyers factor remediation costs into purchase decisions. The estate agent handling the Stantonbury property has described it as a project with potential; the seller and agent did not provide further comment on remediation plans when contacted through the listing.
The case has reignited debate about housing standards, the adequacy of property descriptions, and the responsibilities of sellers and agents to disclose serious condition issues to prospective buyers.