-fish4homes research uncovers the true cost of the next door neighbour from hell
For most Brits, buying a dream house in the Naughties can mean months of stresses, strains and struggles both emotionally and financially. But once the deal’s done, you know you are home and dry in your perfect haven…or are you? New research out today from property experts fish4homes reveals a staggering 78% of Brits have suffered at the hands of the resident local evil – the next door neighbour!
According to the fish4homes research, an unbelievable 1-in-5 of us (18%) has upped sticks and sold our properties as a result of a nightmare neighbour. Whilst 30% continue to suffer in silence, a surprising half of Brits (52%) have resorted to confronting the menace head on; dispelling typical perceptions of the ‘British stiff upper lip’.
Despite so many of us having our fingers burnt, the research shows only 8% of Brits would consider spending a crucial 5 minutes knocking on a potential neighbour’s door yet most of us (61%) would rather judge them at distance by taking a driving tour of the area. Interestingly, men are more thorough than women when it comes to doing their homework; men are more likely to google the area (30% v 28%), check out the local pubs and shops (39% v 36%) and even peer into the neighbour’s gardens (29% v 25%) to make the right decision.
Selling up, moving out and buying somewhere new because of a dodgy neighbour is a costly affair with thousands of pounds being spent on legal work, surveyors and solicitors amongst other expenses. Yet the poll reveals most Brits (61%) are only willing to stump up £10k to get the perfect neighbour for life.
So what can we do to avoid nightmare neighbours whilst house hunting this Easter weekend? Mark Cooke, National Sales Director from fish4homes, comments: “We all know buying a house is stressful at the best of times. It’s an easy thing to overlook but checking out your neighbours first is probably one of the smartest thing you can do and will only take 5 minutes!
With the Bank Holiday weekend coming up, fish4homes is the perfect place to find some helpful tips on what to look out for when house hunting. You can also find a wide selection of properties for sale.”
The fish4homes research has uncovered exactly who our neighbours from hell are:
- The Battersbys (36%) - relentless racket of shouting, music and the noisy TV…not a moment of peace when you’re living next door
- The Vicki Pollard (27%) – has kids with multiple ASBOS and seems strangely proud of them
- The Hoarder (21%) – constantly has a garden full of junk, odds and sods that that is never cleared away
- The Rab C Nesbitt (16%) – has never heard of the word hygiene and happily lives amongst rotting rubbish, overflowing drains and the dreaded vermin
- The Living Dead (15%) – scare the living daylights out of you with their strange behaviour behind closed doors…unexplainable noises, strange guests turning up and family members disappearing for months on end
- The Hyacinth Bucket (10%) – likes to turn their noses up at everything you buy or own and always offers a snobby opinion…even when it’s not welcome
- The Invisible Man (9%) – is anybody there? They own the house next door but you’ve never laid eyes on them!
- The Naturists (5%) – like to walk around in the nude…all the time!
- The Dormouse (5%) – scuttle indoors with a terrified look on their faces if you ever try to say hello or have a friendly chat
- The Borrowers (5%) – always quick to pop round asking to borrow the mower or a light bulb but never quick to return things
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