A new survey has revealed that while most people would not be prepared to buy a house next door to a noisy neighbour, over a quarter of buyers would be more than happy to if offered a discount.
According estate agent Jackson-Stops & Staff, 69% of house hunters would be unwilling to move into their dream home if loud music was played regularly next door, while 63% would not put up with other loud activities such as DIY or parties.
However, people are willing to put up with a noisy home life if there is a financial incentive on the table.
The research found that 24% of respondents would be prepared to suffer through loud music and 29% through noisy activities if they were able to negotiate a discount on the selling price.
The results suggest that younger buyers might be more accustomed to noise and therefore be more accepting of it.
Only 35% of 18 to 24 year-olds wouldn’t move into a home if they could hear heavy bass music, while over-55s prove far more selective, with 86% stating that under no circumstances would they move in to such a property.
Noises from natural and spiritual neighbours are far less of an issue for sellers looking for the best sale price.
The sound of church bells in the morning is the most appealing to prospective buyers, with 36% happy to move straight in to a home affected by this with no discount, rising to 46% for those located in rural parts of the UK.
This is followed by the sound of cockerels crowing every morning, with 31% of potential buyers happy to move next door to an animal alarm clock, without a discount on price.
More than 62% of respondents would refuse to move in next to a pub or a night club, rising to 72% for rural homebuyers and 82% for over-55s.
This compares to 26% of 18 to 24 year-olds who wouldn’t move into a home near a lively pub or nightclub.
Noise from trains, aeroplanes and traffic is far more accepted by buyers of all ages than noise from their direct next-door neighbours, especially if they are able to get a discount.
Nick Leeming, Jackson-Stops & Staff chairman, said: “Our research shows that while many sellers are primarily focused on what their house looks like when preparing it for sale, a huge consideration to potential buyers is the surrounding noise they may encounter on viewings.
“Next door neighbours making a racket with music, parties, drilling and similar activities is the greatest irritant to potential buyers and for many people will be an absolute barrier to buying that home. Pleasant noise like church bells ringing or farmyard animals are most likely to be overlooked by house hunters entirely, proving that not all noise is vexatious.”
“Age appears to be a significant factor in the acceptance of different types of noise near the home, so for those struggling to sell because of a particular din, it is worth targeting the marketing of their property to specific age groups.
“Whatever the sound disturbance, our research shows there will likely be a buyer out there happy to accept it, which goes to show that a savvy marketing plan, supported by detailed knowledge of a home’s benefits including local amenities, is all the more important for properties impacted by noise pollution.”
Percentage of home buyers who would move into a property if they were able to get a discount
| Noise | % |
| Cheering and roaring from a nearby sports stadium on match days | 52% |
| Noisy traffic from a nearby main road | 51% |
| Trains passing regularly (such as twice an hour) next to the property | 43% |
| Aeroplanes flying low over the property | 42% |
| Cockerel crowing every morning | 40% |
| Church bells ringing every morning | 39% |
| Loud and noisy people leaving a nearby nightclub or pub (on the same street as the property) on most nights | 29% |
| Neighbours who engage in noisy activities at least three times a week e.g. use DIY tools such as electric drills and sanders or host parties | 29% |
| Regular loud music with a clear bass being played by the neighbours every night | 24% |
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