An English homeowner fears she could be left homeless after learning, just three months after purchasing her £145,000 (~$193,676) property, that it could fall into the North Sea.
Here's what to know
The coastal erosion risk was not disclosed to Lynn Sweet of Essex before she bought Fisherman's Lodge, she revealed in a video report posted to ITV News' TikTok account (@itvnews).
Fisherman's Lodge is among nine threatened properties on the eroding coast at Hemsby, Norfolk, according to the outlet. Its video caption noted that the village has seen more than 40 properties demolished.
Losing the home would not free Sweet from repaying her outstanding loan. She bought the property at auction before experts identified the danger.
"It's ruined my life, I'm in financial ruin," she told ITV News.
More background
The station noted that the threatened properties are historic.
TCD Picks » Quince Spotlight
💡These best-sellers from Quince deliver affordable, sustainable luxury for all
"These buildings were actually the first to arrive in this area," reporter Rob Setchell explained. "They're on the first edition Ordinance Survey map."
Despite the dangers to the properties, they are still being auctioned off to buyers. The report also showed another threatened property that had sold at auction for tens of thousands of pounds.
Worsening extreme weather disasters can threaten public health, community safety, and economic stability, particularly as homes become unsafe and residents face displacement.
What can be done?
The auction house cited in the report told ITV News that it does advise buyers to investigate coastal erosion themselves, and that it "takes its responsibilities seriously."
That was of little solace to Sweet, who laid out her options in grim terms.
"I could be homeless," she told the station. "I have to pay the loan back. I've nowhere to go."
Viewers of ITV News' TikTok video questioned what information Sweet had received before the sale, and her own potential culpability in not spotting the risks.
"You don't have to be an expert to realise that's too close to the sea," one wrote.
That view was echoed by many, who said that buyers have some responsibilities to exercise common sense and do their own research.
Other commenters called for restrictions on the sale of threatened homes or questioned the role of legal advisers.
"Should not be able to sell those houses - it's basically fraud," one declared.
Where can I learn more?
Coastal erosion is putting homes at risk far beyond Hemsby.
• In North Carolina, FEMA rules push owners to let beach houses collapse into the ocean.
• Seven California beachfront homes were declared unsafe after surf stripped sand and battered foundations.
• On Hawaii's North Shore, erosion threatens coastal homes as a plan heads to lawmakers.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
