A couple who own a number of rented properties have started to sell them, albeit in an unconventional way and not without danger.
Jennifer and David Matthews from Wigan began their mission after she learned of an abnormal heart condition, ventricular tachycardia. The news led the couple to reassess their lives.
A five bedroom property proved difficult to sell during lockdown and traditional estate agents and viewings seemed complicated and overwhelming, and so the couple decided upon a different approach.
In 2020, they announced online that the “dream home” would be raffled (along with a 2004 Ferrari 360 Spider – pictured in the front room). The listed described the property as being “situated conveniently between Bolton & Chorley, close to Adlington, once home to ex Manchester United footballer Ryan Giggs.” Exciting, eh?
However, after the property was listed the couple were targeted with “death threats and handwritten notes” accusing them of running a scam. This led to the couple deleting social media accounts and vowing that the “trolling” meant they would never do such a thing again.
However, despite their first experience, three years later the couple are raffling a second property, this time a three bedroom home in Skelmersdale (but no Ferrari).
Want to raffle your property?
Raffling a property is legal – but there are strict guidelines and regulations that must be followed as well as the UK’s gambling laws and regulations.
The Matthews’ used online platform, Raffall to raffle their first property. There is a minimum ticket target in order for the main prize to be given. If there are fewer sales than this, the winner will receive a cash payout equivalent to 50% of the total ticket revenue generated by the competition. If the host fails to provide the prize having generated the minimum ticket target, Raffall guarantees payment of compensation amounting to 75% of the ticket revenue.