A New Zealand homeowner whose house has failed to sell for 13 years has strategically upped the price and shared photos of the property inundated with water.
Roland Le Gal, of Feilding, north of Wellington, placed his two-bedroom Lethbridge Street home on the market in 2007 for $465,700.
The listing has extended well beyond the average 30 days it takes for homes to be snapped up in the North Island town, which has a median house price of $469,000.
Now, he is asking for $680,050 for the home after the rateable value (RV), a value set by the council in order to determine rates for a property, jumped from $200,000 to $320,000.
Roland Le Gal has strategically upped the price of his Feilding home (pictured) after it has been failed to sell on the property market for 13 years
But the raise is part of his master plan - which has nothing to do with selling the house.
The advertisement is an escalation in an ongoing feud Mr Le Gal has held with his local council ever since a nearby redevelopment led to flooding on his property.
He wants others curious about the flooding to contact the local council.
'I’m not really interested in selling. I’m just having a go at the council,' Mr Le Gal told Stuff.
'We’re still getting flooded out, and it’s because they built on the swamp over the back, and blocked the stormwater drains.'
Spruiking the property online, Mr Le Gal wrote it is 'prone to flooding' alongside images dating back to 2010 of water pooling through the driveway and into the garage.
'How is it that they can give permits for allowing houses to be built over main sewerage pipes!' he wrote.
Mr Le Gal said he is not really interested in selling the house but is just having a dig at the council after redevelopment nearby led to flooding (pictured) on his property
'Core samples have been taken to confirm the depth of the marsh. Area of the section will change due to kerb and channel being removed to allow for another section between the existing houses.
'Sorry there is no access to the sheds at the back of the section, but plenty of parking on the street out front.
'Please don't be put off by these minor inconveniences! Latest rating bill is only $3016 so be in quick for a bargain.'
A spokesperson from Manawatū District Council told the publication it is aware of the owner's situation.
'He has a bee in his bonnet on an issue, but it is really nothing to do with us,' they said.
Mr Le Gal posted photos online showing water pooling through the driveway and into the shed