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A lush landscape is often a major selling point for potential buyers. Garden features can add value, but some do the opposite. After 25+ years supplying garden buildings to UK homeowners, we see the same handful of features come up again and again as deal-breakers at viewings.
Here, we’ve listed common poor choices that put those in the market off when viewing a property.
Did you know?
A high-quality garden room can increase a property’s value by up to 15%. But you’ll also want your kerb appeal to be the first impression buyers want to see. A Rightmove study found that 75% of UK buyers consider outdoor storage an important feature when choosing a home, and Zoopla’s own selling advice lists kerb appeal as a make-or-break factor on the day of a viewing.
If you are looking to sell or simply want to ensure your garden remains a financial asset, here’s what to avoid when planning your space:
Poorly Maintained Garden Buildings
An old, leaning shed with a rotting felt, for instance, is a liability rather than an additional storage space. Buyers see an unstable outbuilding as a weekend of hard labour and a trip to the skip. If it’s beyond its prime, it suggests a general lack of maintenance across the entire property. This can negatively affect your buyer perception, which often leads to lower offers.
Replacement is a straightforward solution. A premium, pressure-treated shed resets this, helping improve how the garden is read, not just because the structure is new. It gives the garden a more organised look rather than a neglected one, supporting overall kerb appeal.
If you’re in this situation, take a look at our selections below and find a model we can deliver* as soon as possible.
*Deliveries will take place within the time frame given. Call our team on 01909 768840 for more information.
Lack of Garden Room Planning Permission
Many homeowners mistakenly assume that because a garden building is in the garden, anything goes. While most fall under permitted development rights and are exempt from planning permission, a responsible seller will still look to reassure future owners.
Avoid these potential delays or issues that could affect a sale:
- Exceeding height limit: Building a structure taller than 2.5m when it is within 2 metres of a boundary. This is one of the most common reasons garden rooms require planning permission.
- Building in front of the house (principal elevation): You can’t place a garden building forward of the principal elevation (the wall of the house facing the road) without a formal approval from your local planning authority (LPA), which you must apply for in advance.
- Creating a self-contained living space: If your garden room is intended for sleeping accommodation, it must meet strict Building Regulations. A fully self-contained annex (with its own kitchen and bathroom) usually requires planning permission as well, as it’s treated as a separate dwelling. This is much more involved than standard planning permission.
- Occupying too much ground: If the structure covers more than 50% of the total land around the original house, you’re likely in breach of permitted development rights.
Whether you’re upgrading for current use or future sale, invest in a model that complies with the relevant rules. We hear you if that’s the case. More options below:
“Wheelie Bin Blight” and Poor Zoning
Wheelie bins left visible right in front of the house or in the middle of the patio kill kerb appeal in an instant. The lack of zoning can feel chaotic and small. Beyond the rubbish containers, it could be random furniture with no defined seating area or tools stacked against fences.
Use garden storage to keep the clutter out of sight and in one area. This helps create a better layout across the garden, separating storage from living and seating areas. The goal is to give the garden a sense of distinct, purposeful “outdoor rooms” — a space to entertain, a place to relax, somewhere to grow things — rather than one cluttered yard doing everything at once. That’s the look UK buyers respond to at viewings.
Going for Artificial Grass
Estimates suggest that artificial grass can potentially reduce a home’s sale value by up to 5%, with research commissioned by Faraway Furniture finding that buyers will demand a 5% reduction on properties with fake turf in the garden.
While once touted as a low-maintenance solution, fake turf is increasingly becoming a turn-off. Many buyers, especially those with pets or an interest in biodiversity, view it as an environmental negative. There’s also the hidden cost of removal. If a buyer wants a natural lawn, they’ll have to pay to have the plastic turf and its sub-base excavated.
It might be worth replacing it with a natural lawn, especially if:
- The fake turf looks worn, faded, or poorly installed
- It has visible joins, lifting edges, or drainage issues
- The rest of the outdoor space is already quite basic
A natural lawn can help improve the impression and remove potential objections during viewings.
A Shed Plonked in the Middle of the Lawn
A shed dropped right in the middle of a small lawn rarely lands well at viewings. It chops the usable space in two, throws off the sight lines from the back of the house, and makes a modest garden feel even smaller. Buyers want to picture themselves entertaining or watching the kids run around — not navigating around an outbuilding that looks like an afterthought.
A few easy fixes:
- Tuck storage near a fence line or partition between garden sections so the lawn reads as one whole, usable space.
- Choose a building that earns its footprint — a summer house that buyers can see themselves using as an outdoor room beats a plain shed every time.
- Match the building to the garden’s scale. A 6×4 store reads better in a small plot than an 8×6 that swallows the lawn.
Done well, this shifts the garden building from “obstacle” to “purposeful outdoor room”, which is exactly how UK buyers want gardens to read at viewing.
See Also: Garden Features That Add Value
Looking at it from the other angle? These two guides cover the garden features UK buyers will actually pay more for and how much extra they could be worth on your sale price.
- Garden Features that Increase Property Value: The round-up of which outdoor features add 5–15% to your home.
- Does a Garden Office Add Value to Your Home: A deeper dive into the garden office angle specifically.
Round-up
UK buyers want turnkey gardens. They want to see a space where they can relax immediately, not a list of chores. Now that you know what can put them off, you can transform your garden from a liability into a high-value extension of your home.
FAQ
Do I need a certificate of lawfulness for a garden building if it falls under Permitted Development?
While not legally required for small structures, obtaining a Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) is highly recommended before selling. It gives written proof that the garden building complied with planning rules when it was built. This helps prevent last-minute delays during the sale process.
What are the rules for building a shed near a fence?
If your garden building is within 2 metres of your boundary, the entire structure’s height should not exceed 2.5 metres to stay within Permitted Development. Exceeding this without permission is a common mistake that can lead to council enforcement and turn off potential buyers.
How do I handle drainage issues on a tiered or sloping plot?
Add drainage so water doesn’t run off into neighbouring property. This is usually done with French drains or weep holes in retaining walls. Otherwise, water can build up, leading to damp or structural issues, which surveyors will flag.
