Bats are shy, so you may not notice them right away, but there are signs. Droppings that look similar to a mouse’s but crumble to dust when touched is a telltale bat sign. You may also see dark or greasy marks around roofs or entry points. If you can hear squeaking or scratching noises at dusk or during the night, this might also point to bats in your house. Finally, if you suspect you have bats, keep an eye on your roof at sunset and you may spot them.

If you’re unsure, you can contact your local Bat Conservation Trust or an ecologist for advice and support.

A bat roost is anywhere that bats live or rest. This could be in your roof space, attic, cellar, outbuildings or even behind tiles and soffits. Unlike birds, bats don’t build nests, they squeeze into gaps and crevices.

The law protects bat roosts, whether the bats are present at the time or not. That means you can’t disturb, move or destroy a roost without a licence. Obviously, this can be potentially off-putting for buyers. If you want to sell your property fast, consider a quick house buying company like House Buyer Bureau – we buy any home in any condition and aren’t put off by bats or other pests.

The first rule is: don’t panic. Bats don’t chew wires, destroy wood or cause structural damage. They also don’t pose a direct health risk to humans.

However, you cannot attempt to remove them yourself. In the UK, bats and their roosts are protected by law. Disturbing them, blocking access or trying to get rid of them without proper permission is illegal.

If you need work done on your property that may affect the bats, you’ll usually need a licence and advice from a bat specialist, which can be costly.

Yes, you can. Having bats doesn’t make your home unsellable, but it can affect how straightforward the sale is. Any potential buyers must be made aware of the bats, and surveys will pick this up. Some buyers may be put off by the restrictions and potential mess and disturbance that bats can cause. If you want to sell quickly, a house buying company will probably be your best bet.

You’ll likely have delays when surveys flag the bats and either buyers need reassurance or you arrange to have the bats rehomed. Although they don’t tend to cause issues, it can still be off-putting buying a house with a known ‘pest.’ This may also cause lower offers as buyers will be concerned about potential repair costs.

Bats can also hugely limit any work that the buyer may want to do, as bat protections will restrict any renovation works which affect them.