Concerns About Mould Rise With Age
Generationally, the concern around mould grows with age. Baby Boomers, aged between 61 and 80, were the most concerned with 68% saying it would affect their decision. This was compared to 61% of Generation X, 56% of Millennials and those born in the Silent Generation, while the youngest demographic of Gen Z and post-millennials aged between 18 and 30 had the lowest amount concerned at just 50%.
Jordan Yorath, Co-founder and CEO of Monroe Estate Agents, who provided expert insight into the findings with Sanctuary Bathrooms, said the generational difference reflects different priorities as we age: "As we get older, time and disruption is something we would rather do without, then compounded by the health concerns."
Lack of Space and Water Pressure Complete Top-Three Red Flags
Beyond mould, the second dealbreaker was a lack of space, which was a problem for 44% of Brits, while water pressure was third with 37%.
Lack of space is a big dealbreaker for many people, with UK bathrooms reported by industry experts to measure ‘little more than 2 metres x 2 metres’[3], while the UK is often cited as having some of the smallest homes in Europe by floorspace.[4]
Both genders had a similar view on lack of space (44% women, 43% men) but men had stronger feelings when it came to water pressure (38% men, 36% women), which was the only potential off-putting factor that men ranked higher than women.
Across the board, across all twelve potential problems, women were either more or equally concerned as men with the exception of water pressure. The biggest gender splits were in whether a bathroom had a shower only (28% women, 19% men) and in the inclusion of coloured toilets and sinks (26% women, 18% men).
Women were also more likely to see any of the issues as a potential dealbreaker with 89% finding at least one of the options being present in a house being viewed providing an off-putting factor, compared to just 86% of men.
Old and Young Differ on Other Issues
9 out of 10 (90%) Gen Z said that at least one issue would affect their decision to buy a new property, with the amounts reducing as people get older. This is compared to 89% of Millennials, 87% of Baby Boomers, 86% of Gen X, and just 73% of the Silent Generation.
But Boomers were the most concerned of the top three issues: mould (68%), lack of space (48%), and water pressure (43%). Gen Z’s concerns were considerably lower on the same issues with half (50%) concerned about mould, and over a third for lack of space (36%) and water pressure (34%).
However, Gen Z respondents were more concerned than their Boomer elders about several secondary issues: a lack of storage (31%; 26% Boomers), the colour scheme (19%; 15% Boomers), and being north-facing/having a lack of sunlight (15%, 13% Boomers).
A full guide to the data, plus insight and tips on how to tackle these issues from experts, can be found at: https://www.sanctuary-bathrooms.co.uk/journal/what-puts-buyers-house-3-bathroom-deal-breakers-fix-you-sell
Commenting on the findings, Jordan Yorath, Co-founder and CEO of Monroe Estate Agents, explains: “Mould is visible and very obvious on a viewing. It is seen as a symptom of wider neglect, with mould being different to damp – which is also far more concerning to viewers. Health is the most likely reason [for worrying], as fixing it would fall back on the seller or as part of a price negotiation.
“A poor condition or older bathroom will be memorable, especially if other key spaces in the house are looking strong as it will stand out. It doesn’t always derail viewings as I would expect people to account for it in offers. If there are two similar properties priced in line, a buyer will go for the one which is more turnkey and requires less work.
“Before selling, people should fix overpopulated spaces and clutter, dark decoration, smells, and visible damage, all of which should be a priority. If you can create a clear, light home which appeals to the senses, this is a good start.”
Sanctuary Bathrooms’ Director, James Roberts, also said: “Mould is a clear and consistent concern across all demographics, where there is no polarisation across generations or genders, and where the potential health concerns could play a significant role in decision-making.
“Leaving such issues unresolved could both reduce demand, and also the ability to negotiate the best price for a home with any prospective buyers looking to knock thousands off the asking price if such issues are present.
“Generationally, it is a big issue for all age groups, however, it is particularly of importance for those buying as they come into, or are already in, their retirement years who no doubt want to spend less, and deal with less serious problems in their later years.
“For sellers, the simplest wins are to make small fixes that can improve how a home is viewed, showing how a smaller bathroom can look bigger through clever layout and storage, as well as making sure fixtures like taps and showers work at their best.”
-ENDS-
NOTES TO EDITORS:
Sources
[1] https://www.rightmove.co.uk/guides/seller/preparing-to-sell/is-now-the-right-time-to-sell/
[2] https://research.ukhsa.gov.uk/our-research/damp-and-mould/
[3] https://www.kbbreview.com/61698/indepth/bathroom-product-feature-small-wonders/
[4] https://www.policyexchange.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/unaffordable-housing-jun-05.pdf
Survey Information
Fieldwork and Survey of 2,000 UK adults in a nationally representative survey conducted between 28th to 30th January 2026 by OnePoll
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