Every week, the Money team answers a reader’s financial problem or consumer dispute – you can email yours to moneyblog@sky.uk. Today’s is…
Our neighbour painted their house an ugly shade of purple. It’s an eyesore. You see drivers slow down as they pass, and people walking past laughing. They didn’t ask any of the neighbours. A few months ago we put my house on the market, and despite similar homes further down our street selling quickly, and being priced similarly, we haven’t had a single offer. One person told my wife explicitly the only reason they were not putting an offer is was because of the house next door. Is there anything I can do?
Prefer to remain anonymous
Money live reporter Jess Sharp answers this one…
Thanks for getting in touch and sorry to hear about the problems you’re having selling your home – living next to a purple house doesn’t sound like much fun!
I understand why you’re concerned. We often buy homes with the hope of making money on them when we come to sell, and struggling to find a buyer is stressful, especially when the thing stopping them making an offer is out of your control.
Unfortunately, the law gives homeowners a lot of discretion over how they decorate their property.
In most cases, you don’t need planning permission to paint a house, regardless of colour.
That said, Mary-Lou Press, president of the National Association of Estate Agents, told me there were a few occasions where it would be needed, so it’s worth checking if they apply to your situation.
Painting a house can require consent if:
- The property is listed;
- You live within a conservation area;
- There is an Article 4 direction restricting external alterations;
- The property is subject to specific conditions in the original planning permission (rare, but possible).
You can confirm these with your local planning authority.
If restrictions apply and consent was required but not obtained, the council may be able to take enforcement action, Press says.
If that…
