Britain's most expensive beach hut is on sale for £575,000
A beach hut has been listed for sale for over half a million pounds, making it the most expensive in Britain.
But prospective buyers should be warned that unlike the houses you could purchase for that price, it doesn't come with a toilet.
Beach huts are hot property right now, thanks in part to the pandemic which has turned us all into a nation of staycationers.
The 20,000 candy-hued huts across the UK have seen their value skyrocket recently, with one recently going on sale for a whopping £575,000 – more than twice the price of an average house in England, which stands at £268K.
The 16ft by 13ft wooden cabin is situated in the exclusive Mudeford Spit, Dorset, and if sold would set a new record.
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Estate agents say it is slightly bigger than the neighbouring units, one of which sold a few months ago for the current high mark of £375,000.
Marketed by Denisons Estate Agents, the hut comes with solar panels for electricity and bottled gas for cooking.
The beach hut sleeps up to six and is on two levels with one plush bedrooms on the mezzanine level and two further sleeping areas on the ground floor.
Although, if you were thinking of buying it for weekend getaways, it's worth knowing that it is illegal to sleep in many beach huts overnight.
"The vast majority of traditional beach huts in the UK are leased through local councils and as a general rule, it is not permissible to sleep in them as only daytime use is allowed," a blog post from the little beach hut of dreams reveals.
However, there are certain places where you can sleep in a beach hut.
"Those that allow overnight stays tend to be bigger super huts, chalets, or lodges, and have freehold tenure," the site continues.
As most beach huts are leasehold and plots are rented through the respective council area, the site recommends finding out the terms and conditions from the local authority for exact details.
Read more: The ‘world’s best beach hut’ in Somerset is on sale for £160,000
This particular hut also comes with a fully fitted kitchen with an integrated fridge freezer and has two decking areas for entertaining.
But while it has most mod cons and a super sleek design, the hut doesn't come with a toilet.
According to Denisons, the hut is "above average size" and enjoys dual aspect of both the beach and harbour, which is why it comes with such a hefty price tag.
"One of a handful of the finest located huts on Mudeford Sand Spit," a spokesperson explains on the listing.
"The property enjoys an elevated position with glorious uninterrupted front and rear views of the beach and harbour.
"This truly high spec hut has recently undergone major improvements and now has a fully functional kitchen with water heater and stone work top together with an integrated fridge freezer and soft closure utility drawers.
"The home comfortably sleeps six with two doubles on the ground floor and a double on the mezzanine.
"Solar panels provide 12 volt electricity and there is also bottle gas for cooking."
Asking prices for beach huts have risen more than 50% recently, according to Rightmove. The average beach hut now costs £39,392, up from £25,999 in 2020.
Huge waiting lists and fierce bidding wars are now normal.
In some areas, beach huts can cost more than a house. The Office for National Statistics puts the average UK house price at £268,000.
Additional reporting SWNS.
