Homes Under the Hammer’s Martin Roberts potted a huge problem just minutes into viewing a property during Saturday’s episode
Monde Mwitumwa TV and Celebrity Reporter
13:27, 02 Aug 2025Updated 13:47, 02 Aug 2025
Homes Under the Hammer’s Martin Roberts issued a warning to buyers after he spotted a huge problem with a property.
During Saturday’s episode of the popular BBC show, the star headed to the second largest city in Wales, Swansea, where he visited a semi-detached house that was set to go under the hammer.
The house, with a guide price of £80,000, didn’t leave Martin impressed from the get go as he claimed that the kitchen was ‘old and dated’ and insisted that it wasn’t big enough for a semi-detached property.
While walking around he said that overall the home was in ‘reasonable condition’ and had potential to be a great family house however it still needed a lot of work.
Martin Roberts issued a warning to buyers (Image: BBC)READ MORE: BBC Strictly ‘signs’ top model who’s ‘broken barriers’ for 2025 seriesREAD MORE: The One Show’s Alex Jones confirms return of BBC show host after lengthy absence
While walking downstairs, Martin was quick to point out a major problem for potential buyers and wasted no time voicing his concerns as he warned: “There is one little fly in the ointment in what is otherwise a pretty good property and that is the fact that it’s leasehold.
“Not necessarily a problem in its own right apart from the fact there are only 44 years left on the lease and for mortgage lenders that is a problem.”
Martin explained: “You would need to look at potentially extending the lease or ideally buying the freehold. To extend or buy a freehold, you must have been the owner of the property for at least two years, so it can be a time-consuming operation.”
He added: “It also means this place will likely have to be bought by a cash buyer as the present short lease will make it difficult to get a mortgage.”
Martin spotted a problem in the garden (Image: BBC)
Things didn’t get any better in the garden as Martin spotted a crack by a drain. He went on to say: “There is something else that could end up a right dog’s dinner. One thing I noticed straight away is look at all this concrete and how it’s all over the place.
“Under normal circumstances I’d say ‘Yeah, whatever’ however the fact it’s right by this drain gives me cause for concern and I wonder what it’s doing to the foundation of the house.”
Mark, who has been renovating properties full-time after giving up work as an electrician, was the brave buyer who took on the task of transforming the property.
Mark was the brave buyer who took on the task of transforming the property(Image: BBC)
Addressing Martin’s concerns, Mark went on to say: “To be honest I think it’s just a badly laid path because on the report that where in the legal pack there was no mention of anything untoward.”
He added: “The biggest concern was that the lease was very short on it but that freehold can be bought because the previous owners already set the ball rolling so I contacted the freeholder and asked if I could continue with it and they said yes.”
After purchasing the home for £105,000 Martin managed to renovate it with his £11,000 budget and local estate agent, Kayley Jones said that Mark was onto a winner as he plans to sell the property.
Homes Under the Hammer airs on BBC One and iPlayer