Homeowners have been warned about one thing that, through no fault of their own, could be costing them thousands in potential sale value. New research reveals that 36% of buyers would be put off purchasing a property if a neighbouring home appeared poorly maintained. The study, commissioned by The Bespoke Sign House, found that kerb appeal doesn’t stop at your boundary, with nearly one in three Brits (32%) admitting they’ve felt embarrassed by how a neighbour’s home looked.
The findings suggest that even sellers who have invested in their own property’s presentation could see their efforts undermined by what was happening next door. According to the study, buyers are increasingly sensitive to the wider environment around a home. Scruffy neighbouring properties ranked alongside major deal-breakers such as damaged roofs, peeling paint and neglected gardens as reasons buyers either walk away or reduce their offer.
In some cities, the effect is even stronger. In Sheffield, 43% of people said they had been embarrassed by the appearance of a neighbour’s home, the highest rate of any city surveyed, while older buyers were far less tolerant than younger ones, with nearly six in 10 over-65s saying neighbouring neglect would deter them from buying nearby.
« If the neighbours aren’t willing to look after their garden, people think they won’t look after anything else and that the problems will spill over, » explains Chris Webb, founder of The Estate Agent Consultancy. « Parking is the same. If there are too many cars on the neighbour’s drive, buyers worry it will overflow into their space. »
Kristian Goodenough, co-founder of The Bespoke Sign House, adds: “Buyers don’t just judge the house; they judge the street. A messy garden or rundown frontage next door raises red flags about noise, upkeep and future hassle. Even if the property itself is immaculate, doubts creep in and offers fall.”
While homeowners can’t control how their neighbours maintain their properties, experts suggest ways to mitigate the visual impact. « You can’t control how neighbours maintain their homes, but you can soften the visual impact, » says Kristian.
« Keep your side of shared fences or hedges tidy, use planting or decorative screening to hide eyesores, and make your own frontage stand out positively. »
The research also shows that first impressions are formed quickly. More than a quarter of buyers (27%) said they had instantly ruled out a property based on its exterior, while nearly half said visible neglect nearby would make them question the home’s value.
With buyers becoming more cautious and price-sensitive in 2026, your home’s value may depend as much on the neighbours as it does on what’s behind your own front door.
