House covered in pigeon poo sells for more than double its £45,000 asking price

Will Metcalfe
·Contributor
·4-min read
Number 1 Coburg Villas in Ilfracombe has sold for £100,000 – more than double its £45,000 asking price despite being covered by a layer of bird poo. (SWNS)
Number 1 Coburg Villas in Ilfracombe has sold for £100,000 – more than double its £45,000 asking price despite being covered by a layer of bird poo. (SWNS)

A four-bed property has sold for £100k after the previous owner fled due to a huge problem with pigeon poo – which still covers the inside.

The house in a desirable part of Devon was bought for a knock-down price but still went for more than double its initial £45,000 asking price.

Number 1 Coburg Villas in Ilfracombe has been described as a large, terraced house with big rooms, outdoor space and stunning views over the Bristol channel.

But prospective buyers were warned the project was not for the faint-hearted as it needed a lot of work.

Inside Number 1 Coburg Villas in Ilfracombe which has sold for more than double its £45,000 asking price despite being covered by bird poo – inside and out. (SWNS)
Inside Number 1 Coburg Villas in Ilfracombe which has sold for more than double its £45,000 asking price despite being covered by bird poo – inside and out. (SWNS)
The exterior of the house is also in a less than desirable state but that didn’t put bidders off as the price was driven to £100,000. (SWNS)
The exterior of the house is also in a less than desirable state but that didn’t put bidders off as the price was driven to £100,000. (SWNS)

In addition to the missing windows, there is no staircase on the first floor, there are fallen in ceilings and several rotten floors and the property has a serious pigeon poo problem.

The upper floors are absolutely coated in bird faeces and in some places up to two feet thick with the stuff.

Father and son duo John and Guy Jones have taken on the challenge after buying the property at auction on Friday.

The pair, who live locally and are both property developers, said they “fancied the challenge.”

Guy Jones said: “I just wish that less people had seen it. I could have got it a bit cheaper.”

Inside Number 1 Coburg Villas in Ilfracombe which has sold for more than double its £45,000 asking price despite being covered by bird poo – inside and out. (SWNS)
Inside Number 1 Coburg Villas in Ilfracombe which has sold for more than double its £45,000 asking price despite being covered by bird poo – inside and out. (SWNS)

Mr Jones said the clean-up was going to be a “nightmare” but said he was looking forward to getting stuck in.

More than 100 people attended the auction and a round of applause erupted when the gavel went down.

Lee Hussell, director of estate agents Webbers, said the house was lived in until the end of last year.

He said: “The lady who lived here kept herself to herself and has now moved into rented accommodation.

“The property is in a very sorry state of repair but has massive potential.

Inside Number 1 Coburg Villas in Ilfracombe which has sold for more than double its £45,000 asking price despite being covered by bird poo – inside and out. (SWNS)
Inside Number 1 Coburg Villas in Ilfracombe which has sold for more than double its £45,000 asking price despite being covered by bird poo – inside and out. (SWNS)

“Due to the structural state of the building and the large amount of pigeon waste, which is a hazardous substance, we were not able to offer any viewings on this property.”

Mr Hussell said he was astonished by the level of attention the property received.

“It was picked up all over the UK and then we saw it popping up on sites in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa,” he said.

“People were sharing it left, right and centre.”

Inside Number 1 Coburg Villas in Ilfracombe which has sold for more than double its £45,000 asking price despite being covered by bird poo – inside and out. (SWNS)
Inside Number 1 Coburg Villas in Ilfracombe which has sold for more than double its £45,000 asking price despite being covered by bird poo – inside and out. (SWNS)

On the website the premises is described by Webbers as a “proper renovation project not for the faint-hearted!”.

It continues: “The house is on the market for the first time in nearly 40 years.

“The three-storey accommodation is in a very poor state of repair with some areas open to the elements and the bay windows in a state of dilapidation and in need of rebuilding.

“There is no staircase to the first with access being required by ladder only and some of the floor areas being held up on acrow props.

Number 1 Coburg Villas in Ilfracombe has sold for £100,000 – more than double its £45,000 asking price despite being covered by a layer of bird poo. (SWNS)
Number 1 Coburg Villas in Ilfracombe has sold for £100,000 – more than double its £45,000 asking price despite being covered by a layer of bird poo. (SWNS)

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“There are several areas of rot and dampness with the property likely to require a complete strip out and re-fit.

“As a result of the works required we can almost certainly say that the property is not suitable for mortgage lending purposes.

“The popular location is just metres from the high street, seafront and picturesque harbour and the many top quality restaurants, bars and small independent shops that the town has to offer.”

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