When it comes to selling your home, first impressions matter — and that doesn’t stop at your front door. Messy neighbours can have a surprisingly big impact on your property value, with poorly maintained or unattractive neighbouring homes slashing selling prices by an average of £42,880, according to Churchill Home Insurance.
The financial impact is particularly striking: front gardens full of rubbish could knock 30% off your home’s value, while excessive ornaments (28%) and boarded-up windows (27%) can also take a significant toll. In high-value areas like London, this could mean a drop of almost £89,000. Elsewhere, the loss might be closer to £25,000 — still a hefty sum.
So if you’re dealing with messy neighbours and preparing for a house sale, here are some practical steps you can take.
Start with a Friendly Conversation
It might sound obvious, but often the best way to handle messy neighbours is to start with a polite, face-to-face chat. Some people may not realise the condition of their property is affecting those around them — or worse, putting off potential buyers.
Approach the conversation tactfully. Rather than confronting them, try mentioning your own plans to sell and gently suggest that tidying up could benefit everyone.
Lend a Helping Hand
In certain cases, your neighbours may simply be unable to maintain their home. This might be due to age, health, or mobility issues. Offering to help — or organising a small group of neighbours to pitch in — can be a good-will gesture that improves the situation for all involved.
Not only does this build community spirit, but it can also help improve the kerb appeal of your street and avoid your home being negatively affected by messy neighbours.
Create a Natural Barrier
If things don’t improve, one way to manage the issue is to screen off the view. Fast-growing shrubs, climbing plants or even decorative fencing can help hide untidy gardens and boost your own outdoor space. Artificial ivy panels or willow screens can be quick and cost-effective solutions, often available from discount or DIY stores.
This strategy doesn’t fix the issue next door, but it can protect your privacy and direct buyers’ attention back to your well-presented home — a tactic often used by experienced estate agents when staging a property.
Contact the Local Council (as a Last Resort)
If a property is genuinely derelict, dangerous, or causing environmental health problems, the local council may have the authority to step in. They can order the owner to tidy up or, in extreme cases, carry out the work and pass on the cost.
However, this can take time, may strain neighbourly relations, and should only be pursued if all other efforts have failed.
Don’t Panic — Focus on Your Own Presentation
While it’s true that messy neighbours can influence buyer perception, the key to success lies in presenting your home in its best light and pricing it competitively. With the right approach, professional marketing, and an experienced estate agent by your side, your home can still achieve a successful sale — even next to a not-so-tidy property.
If you’d like a free valuation or advice on how to deal with messy neighbours when selling your house, get in touch with us today. We’re your local experts, here to help you navigate every step of your property journey.
And if you know someone trying to sell their home near messy neighbours, feel free to share this post with them.
Source: Churchill Home Insurance – The Price of a Messy Neighbour
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