The price of a messy neighbour: £43,000 lost in property value
- Unattractive or poorly maintained neighbouring properties knocks an average of £43,000 off house prices
- Rubbish in the neighbouring front garden, broken windows or excessive garden statues are common buyer turn offs
- Almost all (97 per cent) estate agents encourage conversations with neighbours to help boost property prices
Unattractive or poorly maintained neighbouring properties can reduce the selling price of a home by an average of £42,880 (16 per cent), according to new research1 from Churchill Home Insurance.
With three quarters (75 per cent) of estate agents agreeing that the state of a neighbour’s property is important when selling, it is perhaps no surprise that nearly all (97 per cent) recommend homeowners speak to their neighbours about the appearance of the front of their home before going to market.
Rubbish or junk in the front garden or drive (30 per cent) or back garden (29 per cent), ‘excessive’ use of garden ornaments or statues (28 per cent) or broken and boarded up windows (27 per cent) have the biggest negative impact on the value of a neighbouring property.
Table one: Neighbouring property features which have a negative impact on property prices
| Feature | Per cent |
| Rubbish or junk in the front garden or drive | 30 per cent |
| Rubbish or junk in the back garden | 29 per cent |
| Excessive use of garden ornaments or statues | 28 per cent |
| Broken or boarded up windows | 27 per cent |
| Poorly executed extensions or DIY | 26 per cent |
| Run down or abandoned vehicles in the front drive | 26 per cent |
| Overgrown garden | 26 per cent |
| Décor that is out of keeping with the rest of the road | 25 per cent |
| Overflowing gutters | 24 per cent |
Source: Churchill Home Insurance 2025
Sarah Khan, Head of Churchill Home Insurance, said: “Much like family, you cannot choose your neighbours, or who moves in next door. Sometimes you get lucky with neighbours and sometimes less so.
“Unfortunately, no matter how well presented your house is, a messy or poorly maintained neighbouring property can have a significant, detrimental impact on your sale price. If you find yourself in this situation and it is a cause for concern, it is worth trying to have a chat with your neighbour to see what can be done about it. Even a quick tidy up can make a huge difference, it does not have to be expensive but could significantly improve the curb appeal and the price you achieve for your home.”
Regional impact:
Londoners feel this the most. Unsightly neighbouring properties could impact a sale price in the city by as much as £89,000. This is closely followed by the South-East of England, where poorly maintained neighbouring properties could wipe over £61,500 off a house price or over £54,000 in the East of England.
Table two: Biggest potential loss of value caused by an unsightly and poorly maintained neighbouring properties
| Region | Average house price by nation or region | Average potential loss |
| London | £555,625 | £88,900 |
| South East | £384,659 | £61,545 |
| East of England | £338,468 | £54,155 |
| South West | £308,207 | £49,313 |
| West Midlands | £246,636 | £39,462 |
| North West | £211,977 | £33,912 |
| Wales | £207,382 | £33,181 |
| Yorkshire and The Humber | £205,455 | £82,873 |
| East Midlands | £241,209 | £38,593 |
| Scotland | £185,870 | £29,739 |
| Northern Ireland | £183,259 | £29,321 |
| North East | £160,452 | £25,672 |
Source: Churchill Home Insurance 2025
ENDS
Notes to Editors
The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 500 estate agents in the UK The data was collected between 17.04.25 and 25.04.25. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles. Censuswide is also a member of the British Polling Council.
UK House Price Index. As of February 2025, the average house price in the UK is £268,000 https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/uk-house-price-index-for-february-2025/uk-house-price-index-summary-february-2025
For further information, please contact:
Unni Henry
Direct Line Group
PR Manager
Email: unni.henry@directlinegroup.co.uk
Churchill
Founded in 1989, Churchill is now one of the UK's leading providers of general insurance, offering car, home and pet insurance cover over the phone or on-line.
Churchill general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.
Churchill and U K Insurance Limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.
Customers can find out more about Churchill products or get a quote by calling 0300 200 300 or visiting www.churchill.com.