House saleability affected by unusual happenings'

Posted: 28 Oct 2011 16:40:35 GMT

Crimes committed in a dwelling may affect its saleability.

A home's saleability could be affected by any unusual happenings that occurred at the property.

This is the finding of new research from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics), which showed reported crimes or alleged hauntings that took place inside a building can have ramifications when plans are put in place to offload the residency.

According to the study, homes can remain on surveyors' books for extended periods when rumours spread that a murder might have been committed there.

In addition, it was demonstrated that a number of abodes proved to be almost unsellable because there have been reports the space may be haunted.

Jeremy Leaf, spokesman for Rics, noted many factors can affect the value of a property.

These can include high-profile crimes and rumoured hauntings or even if a celebrity once lived at the location.

The industry figure stated numerous examples are to be found across the UK where famous faces and ghosts are said to have resided in particular places.

He added: "A high-profile crime which has attracted a lot of media attention can have a significant impact on a property's worth, albeit usually temporarily.

"For instance, a home in which a murder took place or those in its immediate vicinity, could experience a significant drop or increase in potential resale value, depending on individual buyers' interest."

Rics - which has around 100,000 qualified members - found that a seafront property in West Sussex could not be sold after it was the scene of a murder around 15 years ago, while a Victorian detached bungalow at County Antrim was repossessed when owners failed to offload it due to ghost rumours.

However, the marketability of a 14th century pub in Newcastle was found to have increased, due partly to stories that the premises is haunted by the spirit of a historical figure named Henry Hardwick.
 

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