"Even though proving a haunting in court would be almost impossible, giving a misleading answer about a property’s history could still cause problems"
- Louise Ainley - Access Law Online
Homebuyers in England and Wales could purchase properties with a haunted reputation without knowing it, as sellers are not legally required to disclose such histories. This may raise privacy concerns, attract unwelcome visitors, and affect a property’s value.
Louise Ainley, a qualified conveyancer at Access Law Online, outlines steps buyers can take to avoid potential issues.
Challenges of owning a haunted property
“A house that has become famous for its haunted history can attract unwanted attention from curious visitors. While the law doesn’t force a seller to disclose this, buyers should be aware that owning a property with a reputation can affect privacy and even the value of the home,” said Ainley.
She added: “A property linked to ghost stories or paranormal rumours can put off potential buyers, which may reduce the pool of interested parties and affect the final sale price. Having a reputation that attracts unwanted attention or visitors can impact how much someone is willing to pay for the home.”
Do sellers have to disclose a haunting?
“There is no legal requirement in England and Wales to disclose whether a property is haunted. The law is clear that sellers must provide accurate information about material issues, such as structural problems, flooding, or legal disputes, but ghost stories fall outside of these obligations,” Ainley explained. “Buying a house in England and Wales works on the basis of ‘buyer beware’, which means that it’s up to the buyer to do their research and ask the right questions,”
She continued: “If they ask directly about things like paranormal activity or past events, the seller must give an honest answer.”
Voluntary disclosure
“Some sellers may choose to mention a property’s haunted reputation if it is widely known locally or easy to discover through a simple search. Being upfront can build trust with buyers and prevent disputes later on, especially if a property’s reputation is so well known that visitors or ghost hunters may turn up after the sale,” Ainley noted. “Even though proving a haunting in court would be almost impossible, giving a misleading answer about a property’s history could still cause problems. If buyers later discover they were misled, they may bring a claim for misrepresentation, which can happen over any issue, not just the supernatural,” Ainley added.
Protecting yourself as a buyer
“If you’re worried about a property’s history, speak to neighbours, look into local stories, and search online. If a property is well known, that reputation could follow you long after the sale,” she advised. “It’s tempting for sellers to focus only on the positives, but leaving out details about a property’s past can backfire. Even if it’s not a legal requirement to disclose ghost stories, misleading buyers can create mistrust and lead to disputes."
