"It’s interesting to see that the younger generation, in particular, feels spooked by the idea of buying a house that is rumoured to be haunted"
- David Joyson - Homeprotect
With Halloween approaching, new research from specialist home insurer Homeprotect shows that almost a quarter of UK homeowners would be deterred from buying a house rumoured to be haunted, rising to one in three among younger homeowners aged 16–24.
The survey asked 2,000 UK homeowners which factors would make them reconsider or completely rule out buying a property.
Practical concerns were common. Nearly half of respondents listed asbestos and visible cracks or broken fixtures as key turn-offs, while two in five highlighted unpermitted electrical work, bad smells such as cigarette smoke, and poor insulation or draughty windows.
However, the study also revealed a growing wariness of so-called “stigmatised properties.” Nearly a third of respondents (32%) said they would avoid a property if it had been the scene of a crime, and 24% said they would not buy a house rumoured to be haunted.
Belief in the paranormal is widespread in the UK, with 64% of people believing in ghosts or paranormal activity. Previous research suggests that properties with reputations for being haunted or having a troubled history can see their value drop by up to 20%.
This caution is not unique to the UK. Research from the US indicates that stigmatised properties, including homes associated with hauntings, violent deaths, or criminal activity, often lead buyers to request discounts or walk away entirely. In multiple US states and in Japan, full disclosure of these factors is legally required, although no such rules exist in the UK.
Perceptions of spooky properties differ by age. Younger buyers are more likely to be deterred by stigmatised issues such as ghosts and crime scenes, while older generations focus on material concerns like asbestos or structural damage.
Among 16–24-year-olds, 30% said they would actively avoid a property rumoured to be haunted. For those aged 25–34, visible cracks and broken fixtures and unpleasant smells were the most common turn-offs, affecting 44% and 37% respectively. This group also remains cautious of crime scene properties, with 39% saying they would reconsider or be entirely put off buying one.
Older age groups, from 35–44 through to 55+, listed asbestos, visible cracks or broken fixtures, and unpermitted or uncertified electrical work as their main concerns when deciding against purchasing a home.
“It’s interesting to see that the younger generation in particular feels spooked by the idea of buying a house that is rumoured to be haunted," says David Joyson, chief customer officer at Homeprotect.
“While some people may be scared by the idea, it’s also worth thinking about the practical things that could cause a fright when it comes to your home – from suspected subsidence to a history of flooding, there are a number of things you’ll want to check if you’re considering buying a property."
He added, "In some cases, those things may not be that scary after all; they might just require specialist home insurance. It’s important to know what you might need to declare to your insurer, like how close you are to a river or any history of subsidence or ground movement – not disclosing this information when you take out a policy could mean that if you needed to make a future claim, it might be rejected.
“Even if you’re not in the market for a move, the start of spooky season coincides with the start of storm season – so it’s a good time of year to look over your home and make sure that any signs of general wear and tear have been addressed and you’ve checked things like your roof and gutters for signs of damage.
“Be aware that a non-maintained roof can potentially lead to a rejected claim – so while home insurance is there to help if the worst happens, insurers do expect homeowners to take reasonable steps to care for their property, including regular roof maintenance.”
