Squatters and students are a neighbours nightmare

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by Kay Murchie

Research from PropertyFinder.com has discovered that 60% of Britons do not want to live next door to students. They are the second least popular neighbours with squatters being top of the list with 90% of Britons saying they would not want to live next door to squatters.

Families came out a little better with 36% of people saying they wouldn’t want to live next door to families with teenage children. 18% would not like to live next door to families with young children.

In addition, 19% of people did not want to live next door to young flat sharers as they were considered to keep awkward hours. Couples without children were the most popular neighbours with 58% of people wanting to live next door to a young couple compared to 53% who would like to live next door to retirees. Approximately 41% would like a single person as their neighbour.

Unpopular neighbours can lower house prices and having squatters for neighbours can cost 18.2% of a property’s value, an average of £34,482, whereas students can cost 9.3% in value, an average of £17,620.

A spokesperson for PropertyFinder said that students are renowned for partying and living in untidy conditions. Neighbours have a considerable influence on quality of life, particularly in built-up areas. PropertyFinder concluded that house hunters are prepared to pay a premium for a quiet, simple life.