A man who purchased a run-down property in Italy for just 85p has been forced to sell his house because he couldn’t find workers to renovate it on time to meet a strict deadline.

Danny McCubbin, a 58-year-old Australian who had been residing in the UK for 17 years, acquired the property in Mussomeli, Sicily, under the ‘Case 1 Euro’ initiative aimed at attracting foreign buyers to the area.

Although tempted by the opportunity to own an overseas property at a significantly reduced cost, the condition was that buyers must complete renovations within three years to gain full ownership. Due to a shortage of workers in Italy’s construction industry, this requirement posed a challenge for McCubbin, a chef who previously worked with Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen Foundation.

Struggling to find assistance in refurbishing his dream property within the specified timeframe, McCubbin had to sell the house back to an estate agency shortly after purchase. Despite his disappointment at not being able to enjoy the tranquil lifestyle in Mussomeli, where the population is only 11,000, he remained undeterred and managed to acquire another property at a higher price of £6,700 (€8,000) that required less renovation work.

Securing the help of two construction workers for a week’s labor, McCubbin spent £4,200 (€5,000) on minor repairs, enabling him to move into the new property. He then established a community kitchen to provide free meals to vulnerable families, a project he had envisioned upon relocating to Italy following Brexit.

The scarcity of builders in Mussomeli prompted the town’s deputy and mayor, Toti Nigrelli, to address the issue and alleviate the burden on property owners in need of renovation services. Nigrelli pledged to address the labor shortage by welcoming foreign builders to assist with the restoration of budget properties, aiming to support individuals interested in purchasing discounted real estate.

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