It has been a thorn in the side of its neighbours for years – often literally.

This house, in Tolworth, has lain derelict for more than a decade and those living nearby have complained of rats marauding from the plot into their gardens.

The semi-detached house, in Fullers Avenue, is surrounded by weeds and brambles.

Paint on the walls is peeling, though its double-glazed windows are still intact.

Next-door neighbour Doug Cousins, 68, said: “We’ve had trouble with foxes, rats and kids going in there – kids setting the garden on fire.

“They’ve got a broken conservatory at the back. When summer comes, the smell – that’s it.

You just can’t ask people around. “It’s all people say when they come round to visit. The house price is going down. “The brambles are 8ft at the back.

“My grandchildren come around and I can’t let them out in the garden. You don’t know what they’re going to catch. When we take the dog out the back, we have to put the lead on him.

“We’ve had a couple of foxes come into the house. It’s getting a bit much when you can’t leave your own door open.”

He said he has replaced his garden fence three times, only for brambles to destroy it again, and cannot afford another repair.

Surrey Comet:

The front of the house in Fullers Avenue 

The Surrey Comet visited the house’s owner Stephen Ottaway, who lives in a different house across the road. He declined to comment. A Kingston Council spokesman said:

“The council is well aware of the situation and has been in contact with the owners to ensure remedial works are carried out to the property.

“We will continue to monitor the situation and take further action if necessary.”

But Mr Cousins, a former Tolworth Hospital porter, said: “There’s people homeless, that’s what gets me.

“And then you’ve got a house looking like that next door.”