There’s a new three-bedroom house on the market in the United Kingdom that is going for the low, low price of just £125,000 ($172,000). But new buyers are being turned away because of a bizarre thing in the backyard. The property in Middleton, Leeds, was owned by a person who loved the location of the home. After the previous owner died, he was granted his dying wish to be buried in the backyard of the home – because it was where he was born and where he died.
An online profile of the home on Zoopla makes it clear that the deceased former owner’s family agreed to his request to be buried in the backyard. As a result, a portion of the yard has been rented by the Leeds City Council for the purpose of the burial site.
The profile says, “Please be aware this property is being sold by family members as part of a relative’s estate. It was the deceased’s wish to be buried in the garden as he was born and died in the house. The wish has been carried out, and the property will be sold as-is.”
In addition to the bizarre announcement that the deceased’s body was buried in the backyard, the online description also said: “Three bedroom end terrace with double glazing and eco-friendly heating including gas boiler, solar panels, and also the facility to power the heating from the wood-burning stove in the living room. The accommodation briefly provides an entrance hall, living room with wood stove, sliding doors to the conservatory, ‘pine’ fitted dining kitchen, three good size bedrooms, and the bathroom having a white suite. Outside there is a shared drive and parking to the front of the house and a garden to the rear with storage/wood sheds. We have been advised that part of the garden is currently rented from the Leeds City Council. No onward chain.”
The property is about four miles from the Leeds City Center, making it a desirable location for a young family. However, it could be very repulsive to think about the deceased person buried in the backyard.
Social media users were appalled by the idea. They shared their shock and disdain for the house on Twitter.
One Twitter user wrote: “F***ing hell that is mental.”
Another added: “What on earth?”
A third quipped: “All in all, I’d be more inclined to grow roses than potatoes.”
Readers of Daily Mail also contributed their reactions to the story.
“We’re probably all living on top of previous inhabitants of the earth, just some more recent than others.”
“He’d 6 foot down so hardly going to be a problem to a lawnmower. What would certainly put me off is the shared parking and access – that’s a recipe for disaster.”
“This wouldn’t bother me for the reasons it would bother most people. I’m not superstitious, don’t believe in ghosts, etc. But I would be concerned with two things. The first would be privacy. Does the family of the deceased expect to be allowed to traipse through the garden as and when they please to visit the grave? And secondly, the grave would mean restrictions on what work is done in the garden.”