The unlucky house number that could make your home worth £5,000 less

If you live at number 13, you might want to look away. Research suggests that Britain's most notoriously unlucky house number could be associated with a property value more than £5,000 below the national average.

And while that might be enough to give homeowners a fright, it could be rather good news for house hunters hoping to pick up a bargain.

An analysis of 10 million homes by property website Rightmove in 2024 found that houses numbered 13 had an average estimated value of £358,618, compared with £364,139 across the properties studied.

That's a difference of £5,521, although it doesn't necessarily mean the superstition itself is responsible for the lower valuations.

For centuries, the number 13 has been linked to bad luck, with some people going to extraordinary lengths to avoid it. Hotels have been known to skip the 13th floor, while airlines sometimes leave row 13 off their seating plans.

And it seems the superstition could extend to the biggest purchase most of us will ever make.

Research highlighted by composite door manufacturer Rockdoor suggests that 46% of people say a property's name or number could influence their decision to buy it.

Among those concerned about unlucky numbers, 21% said they would definitely avoid buying a home with an unfortunate number, while another 25% might be persuaded if the price was right.

Lucky number seven could be worth more

At the other end of the supernatural property ladder sits number seven, traditionally associated with good fortune.

Homes displaying the supposedly lucky digit had an average valuation of £365,590, almost £7,000 more than properties numbered 13.

Of course, living at number seven won't guarantee a lottery win, any more than buying number 13 means you'll discover a ghost in the spare bedroom.

Location, size, condition and local demand remain far more important factors in determining what a home is worth.

Even your house name could make a difference

It's not just numbers that appear to matter. The name above the front door can also be associated with some surprisingly hefty property prices.

Research by estate agency Savills found that homes with names such as The Oast House, The Old Vicarage and Mallards had sold for an average of around £1 million.

Meanwhile, royal connections may also give an address a certain appeal.

According to research cited by Rockdoor, Alexandra Road is Britain's most common royal-inspired street name, appearing 199 times across the country.

Properties on streets featuring the name Alexandra were associated with values averaging £4,292 above the typical UK house price.

Should you avoid buying number 13?

Chris Hall, head of marketing at Rockdoor, said the findings showed that traditional beliefs still influenced some modern house buyers.

He said: "From refusing to open an umbrella inside, to purposefully choosing your new home based on its number, it's evident that superstitions are more influential than we think."

For buyers who aren't bothered by centuries-old warnings about bad luck, a number 13 address could be worth considering, although there is no guarantee of getting a discount.

And with Halloween approaching, there's one other possible advantage to living at the supposedly unluckiest address on the street.

At least you'll have the perfect excuse to go overboard with the spooky decorations.