A couple faces being kicked out of their home after officials found it was nearly a meter too tall.
Owners have been ordered to tear down a new build detached property in Prestwich, Bury, that planning chiefs state was built 75cm too high.
The two-bedroom home is occupied by married tenants who said they only recently discovered they would need to vacate the home.
They must not find a new home as the property – which planning chiefs state is also built five feet in the wrong direction – has been earmarked for demolition.
Landlord Martin Wright has five months to demolish the building following an order from Bury Council.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, the husband said he and his wife “only found out yesterday” and that they have since contacted their landlord.
He said: “It was a shock. My wife has been talking to the landlord. He said he is going to appeal, so we don't know what is going to happen.”
Authorities approved the plans for the Prestwich property in 2018 but initiated enforcement action following occupation.
The council found that multiple aspects of the home did not match up to the original approved plans.
An enforcement notice issued by the council claims the building has been brought forward 145cm, meaning it is not in the position shown on the proposed plans.
The notice states that, as a consequence, the car parking area depth is 4,550mm (455cm), not the 6,000mm (600cm) indicated on the plans.
Other discrepancies between the plans and property include the finished building being roughly 75cm (750mm) taller and differently positioned front entrance steps.
The notice adds: “The southern gable elevation does not conform, as windows have been added at first and second floor levels.”
The council concluded that the finished building “amounts to unauthorized development and constitutes a material breach of planning control”.
Planners have now ordered the building's demolition and that it be permanently removed within five months, alongside all garden structures and retaining walls.
Planning inspector Peter Willows said in his final decision notice that the dwelling “differs from the permitted dwelling in a number of respects”, and recommended the tenants receive a period during which they could find a new residence.
He added: “I find that the building constructed harms the character and appearance of the area.”