Noise pollution can be a huge turn-off for home buyers but it isn’t just annoying, exposure to prolonged levels of noise pollution can cause sleep disturbance and even cardiovascular disease leading to premature mortality.
National fast sale estate agent, Springbok Properties, has looked at the property price premium you need to pay in order to enjoy a bit of peace and quiet across the UK.
23 major UK cities were analysed where noise pollution exceeds the recommended levels deemed appropriate by the European Environment Agency, the cost of buying in these cities, and how much it would require to up sticks and move to a neighbouring town that falls under the recommended levels of noise pollution.
The research shows that house prices in the surrounding areas home to a safer level of noise pollution carry a 5% premium on average when compared to their noisy neighbours. That’s an additional £18,256.
The highest premium is found when moving out of Southampton to nearby Romsey, where the average house price increases by a huge £115,044 to £323,203, a 55% increase.
Nottingham to nearby Grantham is a 52% increase in house prices from £141,412 to £214,369 while moving from Plymouth to Tavistock would also see an increase of 50%.
Leicester to Melton Mowbray, Bournemouth to Corfe Mullen, Manchester to Wilmslow, Belfast to Dundonald, Liverpool to Crosby, Portsmouth to Waterlooville, Bristol to Keynsham, Aberdeen to Portlethen, Cardiff to Barry and Birmingham would all also bring you more peace and quiet, but at a price increase between 4% and 37%.
But fear now. There are some areas where higher house prices in the city mean you can secure a property with less noise pollution at a more affordable price when moving to the quieter surrounding areas.
High prices in the capital mean that moving from London to Aylesbury would not only reduce noise pollution to a safe level but it would save you £147,726 on your home - a 31% saving.
Other more affordable options with added peace and quiet are Swansea to Neath (-23%), Newport to Cwmbran (-21%), Newcastle to Gateshead (-19%), Cambridge to Cambourne (-14%), Oxford to Abingdon (-14%), Leeds to Pudsey (-13%), Edinburgh to Musselburgh (-12%), Sheffield to Chesterfield (-6%) and Glasgow to East Kilbride (-5%).
Shepherd Ncube, Founder and CEO of Springbok Properties, commented: “You may not class peace and quiet as a commodity in its own right like you would with a good transport link or great school, but it can certainly be an influential factor when looking to sell.
Although it may bother younger buyers to a lesser extent, noise levels can be a particular turn off for the second and third rung buyer and it’s at this latter stage of life, many of us opt for a quieter location and a more relaxed pace of life.
Unfortunately, this often means paying that bit extra for it but the fragmented nature of the UK market means there are some peaceful spots at a more affordable price.”
