Derelict house fetches top dollar

A derelict, ‘‘dangerous’’ house for sale in Northland, Wellington, has sold under the hammer for $806,500.

Listing agent Ben Atwill, of Ray White Wellington City, said the house that no-one was permitted to enter attracted five bidders, including one international bidder.

But it was sold to a buyer who had been ‘‘in from the start’’.

‘‘He is over the moon. And the vendor is just ecstatic to know he can move on and be free of that particular burden.’’

Atwill described the result as a ‘‘phenomenal price for what is really a basic section, which will probably involve some demolition. But it does have that spectacular view.’’

He said the single elderly gentleman owner had lived there for about 40 years and had let it go.

From the outside, rooms piled with boxes and what appears to be office equipment can be seen.

Atwill said the owner was served notice by the council, which deemed the house dangerous because of its compromised structural integrity, and therefore uninhabitable.

Ray White helped the owner find a new place to live, and he has moved into a sub-penthouse with a view.