Halloween is upon us, and while we’re all in the spirit of ghosts and ghouls, you might be considering buying or selling a property with a bit of a spooky reputation. Maybe that charming Victorian home with a south-facing garden, high ceilings, period features, and perfect attic conversion potential has more to it than meets the eye. Or perhaps you're a seller wondering what you need to disclose about your home's ghostly past. Let’s explore how paranormal activity factors into the property market!
Do I Need to Disclose That My House Is Haunted?
Surprisingly, there’s no box on the home report that asks about ghosts! When it comes to selling, it’s the buyer's responsibility to gather all relevant information through surveys, reports, and solicitor inquiries. If there’s something that could affect the property’s value, you should disclose it—but when it comes to ghosts, proving their existence might be a bit tricky!
Even if the buyer later claims to have spotted a ghost, they'd not only need to prove it exists, but also that it was haunting the property before they moved in. Perhaps the buyer’s own family ghost just fancied a change of scenery!
What If a Buyer Asks Directly?
If a potential buyer asks you outright whether you’ve experienced paranormal activity in the house, it’s a different story. If you’ve had some ghostly encounters and choose not to mention them, there’s a possibility the buyer could claim misrepresentation if they too experience the paranormal after the purchase. However, proving a haunting isn’t exactly straightforward—so you likely won’t need to worry about a ghost-based lawsuit anytime soon!
To keep things smooth and professional, once an agreement has been made, all communications should be handled through solicitors. This prevents any off-the-cuff comments or misunderstandings that could come back to haunt the sale later.
Does a Haunted House Affect the Value?
Whether a ghostly reputation increases or decreases a property’s value depends on the buyer. Some people might be spooked by the idea of a haunted house, while others could see it as an exciting or unique feature! Either way, the best way to get an accurate valuation is to speak to us at Woods—we can guide you through the process and help maximise the value of your home, supernatural or not.
What About a Death in the Property?
Deaths at home, especially in older properties, are more common than you might think. If your house is a century old, there’s a good chance someone may have passed away there. But if something more recent or gruesome has occurred, this could fall under consumer protection regulations, and you may be required to disclose it.
Any Final Advice for Buying or Selling a Haunted House?
Whether you’re buying a haunted property or selling one with a ghostly reputation, Leightons Estate Agents is here to help. If it’s close to midnight and something strange is lurking in the dark, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. And if there’s something strange in your neighbourhood... who you gonna call?
J W Wood —because we ain’t afraid of no ghosts!
Adapted from Wallace Quinn
