Homeowner horrors that could wipe £54,000 off your property’s value
With Halloween on the horizon, nationwide cash buying company and quick sale specialists, Springbok Properties, has revealed the housing horror stories that could give sellers the biggest fright, with subsidence topping the list, knocking more than £53,000 off the value of the average UK home.
Springbok Properties analysed 10 of the most common homebuyer turn-offs, calculating their typical impact on property values and what this equates to against the current UK average house price of £270,000.
The worst offender by far is subsidence, which can reduce a property’s value by as much as 20%, equating to a loss of £54,000.
Other horrors include:
Japanese Knotweed: -15% (-£40,500)
Power lines, pylons or turbines: -14% (-£37,800)
Flood damage / flood risk: -13.6% (-£36,720)
General disrepair or overgrown gardens: -12.8% (-£34,560)
Damp and mould: -10% (-£27,000)
Nuisance neighbours: -10% (-£27,000)
Pet odours or damage: -4.8% (-£12,960)
Messy or cluttered interiors: -4.2% (-£11,340)
Outdated décor: -3.8% (-£10,260)
Subsidence is by far the most serious and costly of these issues. It occurs when the ground beneath a building sinks, pulling the property’s foundations down with it, often due to prolonged dry spells or large trees drawing moisture from the soil. Insurers paid out £153 million in the first half of 2025 alone, a 36.6% increase on the same period in 2024, with nearly 9,000 households affected and average payouts of £17,264.
What to look out for
Warning signs include new or widening cracks, especially diagonal ones around doors and windows, sticking doors and windows, sloping or uneven floors, and rippling wallpaper that isn’t caused by damp. Properties on clay soils or close to large trees are particularly vulnerable.
What to do if you suspect subsidence
Homeowners should seek a professional survey to confirm whether subsidence is present. If buying a leasehold property, it’s vital to check the block’s insurance cover, the freeholder’s responsibilities, any history of claims, and whether remedial works have been carried out. Buyers should also ask about sinking funds and planned works, as major repairs can trigger additional costs through service charges.
Shepherd Ncube, CEO of Springbok Properties, commented:
“Every home has its quirks, but there are certain red flags that can seriously spook buyers and send values plummeting. Subsidence is the most frightening of all, not only because of the financial impact but also due to the disruption and stress it causes.
For those facing such challenges, the open market can be unforgiving, with buyers pulling out at the first sign of trouble. At Springbok Properties, we offer homeowners a fast, certain sale with a direct cash purchase route. No agents, no delays, just help moving forward even when their home has issues that might otherwise scare buyers away.”
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