Over half, some 54% of home buyers wouldn’t buy a home next door to party animal neighbours while 32% would be put off by a train line, 31% by traffic noise from a motorway and 29% by frequent DIY.
Other noise also puts people off, including 33% who wouldn’t buy because of dogs barking or cockerels crowing and 26% put off motorbikes or diesel vans starting up immediately outside the front of the house every morning.
The research by estate agents haart also found that women are more concerned by troublesome neighbours than men, with nearly two thirds, 58%, of female respondents opposed to living next to a party house compared to 46% of men.
The older generation are also particularly apprehensive, with 74% of those aged 65 and over unwilling to put up with party animals next door. Young adults aged 16 to 25 proved to be the least cautious.
Other noises that affect the desirability of a property include close proximity to an airport which would put 39% of people off buying.
Some would buy if there was a generous discount offered with the highest reduction required to put up with neighbours having regular parties, where people would want an average of 22% off the cost of the property.
Being near an airport would merit a discount of 21%, next to a very busy main road or motorway a 19% discount and being next to commuter trains running regularly an 18% discount. While dogs barking daily would need a price drop of 16%, loud DIY also 16% and noisy vehicle start up 15%.
‘Brits are renowned for our prudent behaviour, and this survey highlights just how significant this mind set is when it comes to buying a home. It is usually quite simple to scope out whether a property is affected by noise from nearby traffic, train lines or motorways, however, it’s not so easy to spot the livelier neighbours in just a handful of visits,’ said Paul Smith, chief executive officer of haart estate agents.
‘Home buyers should make sure they check out a property at different times of day and week if possible and speak to the neighbours and get their view of the street and area before you decide to buy,’ he added.