Analysis of property completion data dating back to 1995 has revealed that Friday the 13th records the lowest number of home moves compared to any other Friday, suggesting superstition continues to influence buyer behaviour in the UK housing market.
According to Rightmove’s examination of Land Registry records, the 13th of any month consistently registers the fewest property completions, with activity dropping further when the date falls on a Friday—typically the busiest day of the week for home moves.
House number preferences
The data indicates that superstition extends beyond completion dates to property numbering. There are 43% more homes numbered 14 than 13 across the UK, suggesting developers and planners have frequently omitted the number from street sequences.
Properties bearing the number 13 carry an average valuation of £329,005, approximately £3,400 below the £332,447 average for homes numbered one to 100. In contrast, number one properties command the highest average valuation at £356,747—more than £27,700 above number 13 homes.
Colleen Babcock, property expert at Rightmove, commented: “Moving home is full of big decisions, so it’s fascinating to see that an old superstition may still influence something as practical as the day people choose to complete. Friday is normally the busiest moving day, but the 13th appears to be the exception.”
Impact on transactions
Mary Beeton, Head of Sales at Hamptons, noted that some developers choose to skip number 13 entirely when planning new developments. “We’ve seen a buyer walk away from a property they loved because of its number,” Beeton said. “When you’re making one of life’s biggest purchases, it seems even the less superstitious among us might welcome a little extra luck.”
The findings suggest that whilst rational factors such as mortgage costs and service charge reforms typically drive property decisions, cultural beliefs continue to play a measurable role in transaction timing and property preferences. The data provides insight into buyer psychology that may be relevant for developers considering property numbering schemes and estate agents scheduling completion dates.
