The chief executive of Mariner Corporation, Darren Olney-Fraser, who made the purchase last year, said despite what McGrathNicol said, his company was still dedicated to buying the resort.

"The receivers have no right under the terms of the contract to terminate the purchase agreement," Mr Olney-Fraser said.

Mariner Corporation agreed to buy the Hermitage in September last year after its original owner, Crighton Properties, went into receivership. The agreed settlement date was November 27, 2013.

According to Mr Olney-Fraser this did not go ahead because because of complications in trying to keep the existing staff from the village employed post-settlement.

He said the receiver had still failed to sign the deed of variation to keep the staff employed at the village.

The only comment given on behalf of the receiver was that Mariner Corporation had failed to make its payment and that Hermitage Lifestyle Resort was back on the market.

Residents and staff at the resort chose not to comment amid the uncertainty of ownership but have said in the past they are hoping to be backed by a committed investor.

President of the Hermitage Residents Committee, Jules Ueckermann, told NOTA last year that residents had "been through some difficult times with Crighton going under".

The Hermitage has development application approval for 280 retirement units to be built on 40 hectares.

The village is only partly completed, with 65 units built, 61 of which are sold.