The owner of a quirky pocket-sized home measuring just 8ft wide across up for sale stands in the lounge with both arms stretched out and fingers almost touching each side wall as he grins: ‘It may be tiny but it’s got character and it’s a one off!.’ 

Kev Ault and his older brother David were gifted the mid 1800’s cottage when their widowed aunt Beverley Ballard sadly passed away a year ago. 

The siblings neither have the time, passion, nor budget to renovate the minuscule 2.5 metres wide home their mother Janet’s sister had happily lived in for 20 years and is, they say, in desperate need of ‘some TLC.’ 

They keenly showed MailOnline around the four room house in Castle Donnington, Leicestershire, ahead of it selling at auction for a bargain £90,000. 

Amused Mr Ault junior, who stands nearly six feet, posed for photos in the front lounge which the front door opens into, and with his head just a foot from the ceiling beam and fingernails on outstretched arms nearly scraping the whitewashed brick walls. 

The picture framer told how the quaint home in the charming market town was being sold off for just £29,000 more than it was bought for in 2005. 

But his brother – also pictured as he recounted fond stories about his aunt – said the empty premises, which have fallen into a state of disrepair, needed renovating which he anticipates ‘would cost the same amount to do as as to buy it.’ 

The terraced home is nestled in a row on Hillside and a short walk from the now thriving community which has a growing number of cafes and bars and two popular pubs. 

The tiny dwelling boasts a front room and kitchen downstairs, with eight steep stair steps – minus a bannister – leading up to the one and only master bedroom overlooking the front and a modest bathroom with splendid views across beautiful leafy gardens. 

The house is going under the hammer for around five times less than the average house price of £291,000 in the town, which has a stunning church shops and beauty salons.

It is also in a desirable location, situated just a ten minute drive from East Midlands Airport in Nottingham and near the M1. 

Mr Ault junior, 58, who has a grown up son, said: ‘It is very small but it is really quirky and quaint and with a bit if TLC it could become a lovely house again. 

‘Our aunt had a great sense of humour and she was loved by lots of people. ‘When she and her husband bought the house around 20 years ago from an air hostess it was immaculate. 

‘But over the years and after Bev was widowed it has gone downhill and as our aunt became a recluse she didn’t want anyone visiting – even her own family – or working on it. 

He added: ‘It may be tiny but it’s got character and it’s a one off. The house has been empty for more than a year and we know she would love it to be lived in again. 

‘Maybe it would suit a young couple as their first home to buy and do up and, if she is looking down that would make her happy.’ 

The super-slim property has a shared rear garden and two outbuildings, one kitted out with a non-working loo. 

The brothers, who inherited the property and are now selling it, after probate. 

They were quickly offered £70,000 from a developer but turned him down, saying there were ‘not concerned about the money but it being turned into a happy house again’. 

Ironically Mr Ault senior, 62, a retired computer analyst for banking giant Santander’s fraud department never saw his aunt’s home in all the time she was living there. 

The father-of-two told MailOnline that his aunt – who had worked at a double glazing company, fitting the metal strips to the units – has become so reclusive she banned all visitors including her family and friends. 

Fighting fit and healthy Beverly suddenly passed away on February 1, 2024, in hospital, a few weeks after being taken ill at home. 

This week – April 23 – would have been her 69th birthday. In the lounge at her little home – the tiniest in East Midlands town – where the ceiling stands just 7.5 feet high – a gas fire is in situ plus an old fashioned drinks trolley. 

And, placed poignantly on top remains a half drank bottle of Bells whisky, which her nephews say was her favourite tipple and they will hang onto as a keepsake. 

Mr Ault junior told his aunt and her husband Ian – who repaired electric motors and was nicknamed Basil – had purchased the house in 2005 for £29,900. 

It is just a short stroll from her favourite pub The Lamb, a few shops and her sister’s home. 

He explained: ‘After Bev was widowed years ago she became a bit of a recluse and was very loathe to let anyone into her house. 

‘I used to go in to drop off some shopping for her but I was the only one she allowed inside, even our mum, didn’t visit and neither did neighbours. 

‘But she used to walk up to her sister’s house most days, a five minute walk away. 

‘When she didn’t come up it set alarm bells ringing and when I went to check on her she had been taken ill at home and was rushed to hospital where she passed away on February 12, 2024, aged 68.’ 

The brothers fondly recalled how their aunt had a ‘dark humour’ and was a fan of Monty Python and South Park and also ‘loved watching murder mysteries on TV and reading anything about serial killers.’ 

Bev also enjoyed doing jigsaws and word searches. 

Mr Ault senior said: ‘After her death we cleared the house and got rid of loads of stuff, bookcase and furniture, giving them away to charity.’ 

He added: ‘It could make a lovely property and has gas, electricity and running water but I’m sure the staircase with the steepness and no bannister is not legal today with building regs. 

‘The floorboards in the bedroom are very wonky and it makes you feel like you are on a boat. 

‘But the cottage has some quirky features like this lovely old latch door. We thought the best thing was to sell to at auction with a starting price of £59,000. 

‘We hope we can sell, it’s a cute property with a lovely outlook at the rear and hoping bids will go higher and it will fetch a lot more. 

‘Someone in the know could make it a lovely home again. We are confident it will definitely sell. We were left the house in her will and it’s not about cashing in and making lots of money but it would be nice to have some to share with our families.’ 

He continued: ‘It’s in a good location. Castle Donington is a popular place nowadays with lots of bars and cafes and it’s near the airport. 

‘We both live in the area and check on the property regularly and it is insured. The house is a bit of a talking point because it’s the tiniest and narrowest in the neighbourhood.’ 

The shabby poky bedroom, which is in need of some repair and a lick of paint and is just 3.56 metres by 2.56 metres, has one special momentum which will not be sold off at auction. 

It is a Basil Brush cuddly toy, who remains in an open small case and belonged to Bev’s late husband Ian. 

He was nicknamed Basil after Basil Brush, the fictional fox and former favourite on children’s TV. 

The siblings agreed: ‘We can’t part with him, we’ll be taking Basil and the suitcase as a memento.’ 

The listing of the little house by auctioneer SDL Property Auctions suggests it could also be a lucrative purchase for a landlord, offering estimated takings of £9,000 per year in rent. 

And even though the firm admits it is in need of ‘modernisation’, with some tired pine fittings, outdated fixtures and plaster that has seen better days, it is nothing a keen DIY enthusiast could not handle.