Squatter mystery at property
A Dunedin property for sale by mortgagee auction was left a mess by squatters, neighbours say.
A large black padlock secures the door to the three-bedroom property in the quiet Dunedin suburb of Musselburgh.
Behind the padlocked door is a former family home, which – according to the Trade Me photos – was left strewn with rubbish, including plastic bags and discarded household items.
The property, which was listed for sale on October 2, will be sold at a mortgagee auction on October 30.
Real estate agent Kay Lucas, who is also selling the neighbouring property, declined to comment.
A neighbour said squatters moved into the house after the family of the last owner left earlier this year. He believed a large number of advertising circulars and community newspapers had alerted the squatters that the property had been abandoned.
Police confirmed they were called to the house in March when a neighbour raised concerns about a door being left open ‘‘even though nobody was living there’’.
Police found a door had been smashed and no-one was living at the house, a police spokeswoman said. ‘‘We contacted the owner to advise of the damage.’’
It is unclear if the items strewn around the property belonged to the former residents, who could not be reached for comment.
Earlier this year a car belonging to a man who lived at the house was advertised as being abandoned.
The advertisement for the house, which has been listed by Harcourts, noted the property was on a flat sunny section and had an ‘‘open plan kitchenliving-dining area with French doors that open to the outdoors’’.