Property specialists are cautioning homeowners about a potential pitfall that could slash £85k off their property’s value. With Google searches for home-selling advice soaring by 4,950% this summer and buyer demand increasing by 11%, it seems the perfect time for homeowners to consider selling.
To assist sellers in capitalising on the thriving market, garage clearance firm Rainbow Rubbish has teamed up with ‘The Property Expert’ Matt Lanninge and Heath Alexander-Bew from Alan Boswell Group to highlight a silent sale-killer: clutter. They warn that hoarding can not only reduce your home’s value by thousands but could also jeopardise your insurance.
This warning comes as recent government and Zoopla data analysed by the team at Rainbow Rubbish reveals that hoarding clutter in your garage can decrease your property value by a staggering 15%. An average London property could lose up to £85,000 in value due to clutter; meanwhile, detached properties across the UK could see a reduction of up to £70,000 due to clutter, reports the Mirror.
Hoarding clutter could cost you £1,000s
Underestimating the impact of clutter on your home’s value could be a costly mistake, given that the average UK property is worth hundreds of thousands. Matt Lanninge from The Property Expert Group advises: “Decluttering is one of the most effective things homeowners can do to make their home more attractive,”.
“Having sold multiple properties with or without clutter, the difference in value can be up to 15% in some cases,” he reveals. “That 15% drop can pack a punch”.
In London, where the average home is valued at £564,000, clutter could potentially reduce your property’s worth by as much as £84,600, bringing it down to around £479,400. In the South East and East of England, the potential loss still exceeds £50,000.
Average property values in June 2025
Due to clutter, even the smallest flats could take a £28,000 hit, while detached homes could lose over £67,000. But what exactly constitutes clutter, and could it be hiding in plain sight?
Do you have these items cluttered in your home?
Clearing out clutter is extremely advantageous when putting a house on the market. It creates an impression of a bigger, tidier, and more attractive environment for prospective buyers, which can result in quicker sales and possibly better offers.
- Tools.
- Books.
- Collectibles.
- Newspapers.
- Toys.
- Kitchenware.
These possessions appear innocent, even treasured, but they’re amongst the worst culprits when it comes to property-devaluing mess. According to Matt Lanninge, these belongings frequently accumulate without notice, stored in garages, sheds, lofts, or hidden away in “just for now” spots, slowly consuming your space and your home’s attractiveness.
However, mess isn’t merely damaging your property value; it could also affect your insurance policy financially. Heath Alexander-Bew, representing the landlord insurance specialists at Alan Boswell Group, states: “Unfortunately, hoarding and excessive clutter can hurt home insurance.
“Both in terms of the validity of your policy and the likelihood of a claim being paid out. If insurers find that clutter contributed to the damage or breached policy terms, claims may be reduced or, in the worst case, rejected.”
Why might a mess breach home insurance policy conditions?
Heath Alexander-Bew continued: “Hoarding and excessive clutter can be a fire risk. Clutter can include flammable materials such as paper, cardboard, clothing, or old furniture. When these items accumulate, they can block exits and escape routes, prevent effective fire suppression, and sometimes act as fuel, causing fires to spread rapidly.
“This increases the risk of serious fire damage, which insurers may see as a preventable hazard. If your insurer believes that the hoarding created an unreasonable risk, a claim could be reduced or denied. Access and maintenance issues may also affect your insurance.
“Excessive clutter can block access to important areas of the home (like fuse boxes or pipework), making routine maintenance or emergency repairs impossible. In extreme cases, if exits are blocked, occupants may not be able to escape a fire, and firefighters may not be able to locate people or pets. If insurers deem the property wasn’t properly maintained, accessible, or inspected (if a landlord), this can affect claims for water damage (eg hidden leaks) or structural issues (eg subsidence, damp).”
Looking to safeguard your property’s worth?
Heath Alexander-Bew suggests beginning by adhering to the conditions of your home insurance policy. “Keep your home in a habitable, accessible condition, avoid stockpiling combustible materials, and disclose any unusual storage or hoarding issues, especially if you’re a landlord. Alternatively, if you’re unsure whether your current property condition could affect your insurance, it’s worth reviewing your policy terms or contacting your broker directly for tailored advice.”
And when the time comes to sell, ‘stage’ your property. Matt Lanninge explains: “If a buyer can’t see the space, they often imagine the worst (in regards to condition). A property is always better empty compared to cluttered, and better yet, ‘staged’ compared to empty. ‘Staging’ for the ideal lifestyle can do the opposite and add value.”
