From weeds to decor: The lingering problems that cut house value The candystriped house in Kensington, west London, has irritated neighbours Getty Images Lauren Thompson Published at 12:01AM, April 24 2015 Properties on the street in question have changed hands for as much as £11.5 millon in recent years, but the action of one owner will have dented the desirability of the location. We are talking, of course, about the road in Kensington where one house has been painted in red and white candy stripes, apparently in a fit of pique over objections from neighbours to a basement extension of this residence. Ed Mead, at the London estate agency Douglas & Gordon, says: “I would expect the candy-striped paint job to knock between 5 and 10 per cent off the value of the home — and its neighbouring properties. This kind of notoriety is the last thing respectable residents want and it does mean the street has lost some of its cachet.” This episode has caused much amusement, but the case highlights how quickly a home can lose value, even when the wider market is stable or rising. If you are househunting or looking to maintain the worth of your property, these are the threats to value about which you should be vigilant. Derelict homes It may be your dream to renovate a dilapidated house but, if you are househunting, a By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. You can change this and find out more by following this link. neglected home next door should set alarm bells ringing because this could become your nightmare neighbour. Overgrown trees, clogged guttering, frozen pipes or loose roof tiles can cause expensive damage to your property, as well as being unsightly. James Robinson, at the Lurot Brand estate agency, says: “When buying a terraced or semi-detached house, have a good look next door. Try to find out who owns the property — an absentee landlord, for example, will often dodge maintenance expenses for years.” Japanese knotweed If the property you are viewing has a garden, check for Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica); this can halve the value of a home. This weed grows by up to 20cm a day, working its way through asphalt and concrete to destabilise the foundations of your home. It has red-tinged shoots when it first appears, with green leaves in a zigzag pattern along the stem. Also look out for it in neighbouring properties, allotments or waterways, because it can quickly make its way to your home — and cause subsidence (see below). If you discover knotweed, Barry Burrows, at Bartholomew Landscaping, says: “Repeated treatment with a chemical such as glyphosate is the best solution. Prevent knotweed by ensuring that any new soil or plants come from a reputable source and if you notice the weed growing around nearby waterways, ask the local council to deal with it.” Subsidence Subsidence — the downward movement of the ground supporting a building — can sometimes be treated with drain repairs or tree management, but it may require costly underpinning. The average insurance claim for subsidence is £9,900, according to MoneySuperMarket, and this will make your premiums much more expensive in future. This suggests that you should check for evidence of subsidence when viewing. Simon King, at the Move with Us estate agency, says early identification is key: “Subsidence-related cracks are small, usually diagonal and mostly appear around doors and windows. Get an expert to investigate and monitor the movement.” Flooding About one in six properties is at risk of flooding from coastal, river and surface water. Before buying, check the Environment Agency’s website (or the Scottish Environment Protection Agency or the Natural Resources Wales websites) to see if a property is at risk. If your home is vulnerable, invest in flood defences to minimise the devastating effects of water coming into your home. King says: “Buy flood-resistant UPVC doors and lay ceramic tiles on the ground floor, which are easier to clean than carpets. Raise the height of electrical sockets to at least 1.5m above ground.” Flight paths The prospect of a new runway at Heathrow or Gatwick is of concern to residents who may be affected by noise pollution. If a third runway goes ahead at Heathrow, about 160,000 homeowners in Berkshire, Surrey and London will get grants towards double glazing, ceiling overboarding and loft insulation — but, frustratingly, it remains unclear precisely who these residents will be. John Stewart at Hacan, the lobby group, says: “If you’re worried about existing aircraft noise when buying a home, visit the house at least twice, when the wind is blowing both in the east and the west, as this affects flight paths. You can also check the WebTrak tool on Heathrow’s website to see specific flights near an address.” Solar and wind farms Even keen environmentalists may be perturbed to see their views of rolling countryside interrupted by solar panels or wind turbines for the next 20 years. Adam Buxton, at buying agent Middleton Advisors, says: “It is an eyesore — developers try to provide landscaping buffers, but it often needs high fencing to prevent theft of materials. Make inquiries with the local planning authority to see if any are planned near by.” Nightmare neighbours Loud music, barking dogs, rowdy children and blocked driveways are among the most common complaints that can affect the value of almost any neighbouring property. When you view a home, pay attention to the level of noise coming from next door. If, for example, the owner of the property in which you are interested has formally complained about the neighbours to the police or to the council, this must be disclosed in the seller’s property information form that will be provided to your solicitor. The seller must also give details of any disputes with neighbours. If you own a property and have a falling-out with a neighbour, try to keep your cool, and remember that being neighbourly works both ways. If a problem occurs that you cannot ignore, have a calm and informal chat or write a clear letter to the neighbour before involving the local council or police. The Citizens Advice website has useful information on resolving disputes. 0 comments 11 people listening Sign in + Follow Post comment as... 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