Owner of ‘dangerous dump’ hits major hurdle in bid to offload eyesore

The owner of a clifftop property that is too dangerous to live in has failed in his bid for an urgent sale.

The residence in Northland, a suburb of New Zealand’s capital, originally sold in 2021 after the local council forced the previous occupant out with a “dangerous and unsanitary” order.

The current owner snapped up the derelict four-bedroom concrete home for $NZ804,500 (about $657,000) with plans to clear and develop the site.

However, those plans have since changed and the owner has been trying to offload the site since 2024.

Original price expectations dropped from $NZ799,000 (about $650,000) to $NZ599,000 (about $490,000) before the property was withdrawn from sale.

The property was re-listed with a new agency for an urgent public auction.

But despite the agent urging that the owner “needs to get it off his books”, the auction failed to result in a transaction.

The bidding opened at $NZ100,000 (about $81,000) but failed to surpass $NZ130,000 ($100,000), leaving the owner waiting longer for a potential deal, OneRoof reports.

The 445-square-metre site sits in a highly sought-after neighbourhood and boasts expansive city views across Wellington city and the harbour.

“The existing dwelling is subject to a Wellington City Council Dangerous Building Notice and is offered strictly as is, where is. No warranties are given as to structural integrity or safety,” the listing reads.

“The value is in the land, and the land is the opportunity: redevelop, rebuild, or landbank a site that rarely comes to market at this price point.”

Due to safety risks, the property remains closed to the general public, with inspections strictly limited to “supervised access” by appointment only.