A couple who bought their dream home said their lives have been "turned upside down" after being landed with a huge debt over work previously carried out on the property. 

First-time buyers Paul Heading, 32, and Sally Brown, 26, were delighted to move into the two-bedroom property in Montalt Road, Woodford Green, in March last year.

The couple paid £140,000 towards the £290,000 property using savings and inheritance money left by Mr Heading's father, who died in 2010, and Ms Brown's grandfather. 

But in September they were shocked to receive a letter addressed to the previous residents from freeholder Ascham Homes asking for £15,500 for outstanding major works. 

The couple say the seller's solicitor has told them the previous homeowners were in dispute over the charge for major works carried out in 2010/11.

But the couple's solicitor DWT say they were not made aware of any outstanding dispute prior to the sale and are trying to resolve the matter with the seller's solicitor.   

Mr Heading said: "Several mistakes have been made along the way.

"The outstanding debt should been cleared before it was sold.  

"The whole situation has ruined any enjoyment of buying our dream home.

"It has turned our lives upside down and has had a massive affect on our quality of life.

"It is not our debt to pay and we are being hounded by Ascham Homes who are not budging and are unwilling to resolve this in any way."   

The couple fear their lease could be forfeited if they do not pay and will affect any chance of selling the property.  

When asked by the Guardian if it was the responsibility of DWT to ensure their were no outstanding debts on the flat, a spokeswoman said: "This matter is under investigation and we are not willing to comment at this stage."

A spokesman for Ascham Homes, said: "We had been chasing the outstanding bill from previous owners of the property who unfortunately did not pay the due amount before they sold it.

"We provided full information on outstanding bills and possible future charges to the sellers’ solicitor in February 2014.  

"By law, the outstanding debt passes to the new owner with the lease and it is up to the respective solicitors, both buyers and sellers, to inform and advise the new leaseholder of this. We are more than happy to meet with the couple to discuss these outstanding debts."