Inside one of the UK’s cheapest flats that could be yours for just £5,000

Got a spare £5,000 knocking around? Then this property could be yours.

The prospect of become a homeowner for such a small sum might seem impossible to believe, given the soaring cost of property these days, but with one of the country’s cheapest flats now up for auction, that could become a reality.

It’s not without catches, of course. The Sunderland property is in a serious state of disrepair, meaning that while you might be able to nab the deeds at bargain price you’d probably have to spend a serious sum of cash getting it up to a livable standard.

Located in Villette Road, where, according to Rightmove, the average house is around ten times more expensive than the starting price at £51,000, the flat is due to go under the hammer on June 4.

But what will you get for that money?

The listing from auctioneers Town and Country reads: ‘The accommodation is expected to comprise a spacious living area, fitted kitchen, well-sized bedrooms, and a bathroom, providing practical and comfortable living throughout.

‘Located within a predominantly residential area, the property benefits from close proximity to a range of local amenities including shops, schools, and healthcare facilities.’

However, the pictures reveal just how rundown the property is.

One room reveals a filthy carpet which may well have been light grey but is now black with stains, along with torn curtains on the windows and a tangled arrangement of electrical wires dangling from the ceiling over an assortment of plant pots.

It’s hard to know what that set up could have been used for.

The kitchen boasts dark wood flooring littered with wrappers and food waste, worn-looking cupboards, and worktops scattered with appliances and used kitchenware.

Elsewhere one of the bedrooms, decorated with a black and white floral design, features stained walls and piles of clutter on a side table, while bedding and other items spill out of open drawers.

The bed is unmade and covered in boxes, while a selection of clothes have been left on a rail in the corner.

Another room – which could be the second bedroom – boasts empty milk cartons, abandoned items of washing hung up on a line attached to the wall, and a dark wood wardrobe standing in the centre of the room.

More clutter is piled on the radiator, along with a random plank of wood which doesn’t appear to belong to anything in particular.

And we’re not quite sure what state the carpet’s in since much of it appears to be covered with sheets of cardboard.

Moving into the bathroom and the disrepair continues, with plastic containers, broken tiling and assorted mess covering much of the floor — making a safe passage to the toilet impossible.

A patch of what looks like black fabric covers much of the ceiling, next to a bare light bulb.

Even the stairs to the exit don’t offer an escape from the state of the inside, with towels hanging over the bannisters and yet more random items sitting at the bottom of the staircase (although fortunately out of harm’s way).

While the flat would certainly present a challenge to anybody who put up the winning bid, it still has certain graces.

The rooms, for example, are a decent size, meaning this could be a good investment for anyone looking for a reasonably priced fixer-upper — whether to rent out or live in themselves.

Town and Country adds: ‘The area is known for its affordability and strong rental demand, with average property values in the postcode significantly below the city average, making it an attractive option for investors seeking yield.

‘Overall, this property represents a fantastic investment opportunity, offering excellent value for money with scope for future growth.’

It comes at a time when the average age of first-time buyers in some parts of the UK has risen higher than ever.

In the South East the average age of a person buying their first home has climbed to 34, according to research revealed by My Home Move Conveyancing in March.

The age has dropped slightly to 31 in the East Midlands, while in the North-West it’s risen from 30 to 32.

Meanwhile, Rightmove’s March 2026 House Price Index estimated the average cost of a two-bedroom home for a first-time buyer in Great Britain is £226,955.

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