Newhaven eco-homes that pay off their mortgage almost done

Property developer Humayun Khan, who lives in Piddinghoe, has almost finished building 13 new eco-flats along North Lane in nearby Newhaven.

The homes have been designed to run as efficiently as possible to make the owners' costs significantly lower.

This includes having windows treated with a non-stick spray so dirt will wash off in the rain.

This alone saves an estimated £120 per year that could be spent on a window cleaner, the developer states.

What the eco-flats will look like.

As well as clean windows, there are solar panels that provide energy to the building. It is hoped they will provide an excess of energy which could be sold on.

There is also an indoor allotment to save money on fruit and vegetables.

There is also a greywater recycling system that cleans old bath and toilet water so it can be reused.

The main source of money that will contribute to paying the mortgage is the annexes that can be rented out.

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The annexes, which can be sealed off, have their own bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchenettes and living spaces.

The flats are all built to the same specifications, although the shapes do vary due to the design of the building.

Mr Khan estimates that the homes can generate over £12,000 in the first year, which can be used towards paying the mortgage off.

The indoor allotment and kitchen

The flats, made through his company Miracles by Design, are expected to sell for £330,000 each and will be going to market in the next few weeks.

The 71-year-old said: “In about 20 years the income and savings are equal to the mortgage. We probably have more firsts in these buildings than any others in the world.

“Young people have no chance of buying a home unless their parents can give them the money, or they are extremely lucky.

“Every person deserves to live in the best eco-homes possible, but in our country, we don’t and it is a rip-off.”

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Mr Khan has three main aims that he hopes the homes will fulfil. The first aim is that they pay their mortgage in around 20 years instead of 25years.

The second aim is to help end climate change carbon emissions by providing eco-friendly homes.

Finally, he wants to build towards the world’s highest eco standards in the world and making it more profitable [for homeowners] than conventional homes.