Selling a House with Bedbugs

If you’ve found bedbugs (or signs of them) in your home, you might be wondering if you can still sell your house, and what kind of impact these tiny pests will have on your plans. The good news? You’re not the first to face this situation and help is at hand.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about selling a house with bedbugs, from how to spot them, what they mean for your sale, and how to move forward.

What are bedbugs?

Bedbugs are small, wingless insects that feed on human blood, mostly at night. They tend to hide in the crevices of mattresses, bed frames, furniture, in clothes or luggage, in between the pages of books and even behind skirting boards or plug sockets. While they’re not dangerous in a medical sense, their bites can cause itching, discomfort and, not surprisingly, a lot of stress.

They’re also notoriously difficult to get rid of, which is why they can become such a big issue when trying to sell a property.

Signs of bedbugs in the house

Bedbugs are stealthy, but they do leave clues. Look out for:

Bite marks – small, red/purple, itchy welts on the skin, often in a line or cluster and especially on exposed skin like the face, neck and arms
Blood stains – small spots on bedding or mattresses
Faecal marks – tiny black dots, similar to pepper
Shed skins – as bedbugs grow, they shed their exoskeletons
A musty smell – some people describe the scent as sweet and sickly

They often hide in seams, cracks or any warm, dark place. Just because you can’t see them, it doesn’t mean they’re not there.

What do bedbugs look like?

Even adult bedbugs are still very small, reaching around 5 millimetres long; they’re also oval-shaped and reddish-brown, though some may be dark yellow. After they feed, they balloon slightly and become darker. Younger bedbugs (nymphs) are smaller and lighter in colour, making them harder to spot.

How to get rid of bedbugs

Getting rid of bedbugs isn’t as simple as spraying a can of insecticide and hoping for the best. It usually involves a combination of deep cleaning, professional pest control and a hefty dose of patience.

DIY methods like vacuuming, steam cleaning and washing bedding on high heat can help in minor cases, but really, you will most likely need to call in the professionals as bedbugs are resistant to some insecticides and can hide in the must tucked away of spaces.

How much does it cost to get rid of bedbugs?

Professional treatment can set you back anywhere from £300 to £1,000, depending on the size of the property and how severe the infestation is. Keep in mind that that cost will be per treatment, and many homes need more than one.

When you factor in lost sleep, stress and the potential damage to furniture or belongings, the true cost quickly adds up.

So, what happens if you’ve had enough and just want out? Can you still sell a house that’s got bedbugs? The short answer is yes, —but there are a few things to consider.

Can you sell a house with bedbugs?

Yes, you can, but you may not get the price you’re hoping for and it could take longer to find a buyer. Moreover, most buyers will expect the problem to be sorted before the sale goes through, which will most likely mean delays or renegotiated offers.

Is it illegal to sell a house with bedbugs?

Selling a house with bedbugs isn’t illegal in the UK, but if you knowingly conceal the issue and it comes to light later, they could sue you.

Sellers must disclose any issues that could affect a buyer’s decision, and this includes bedbugs.

Do bedbugs need to be disclosed?

Yes, you will need to tell any potential buyers that your house has bedbugs.

How much does a house with bedbugs devalue a house?

There’s no fixed number here, but bedbugs can reduce your sale price by 10-20%. A buyer might factor in a number of costs against the value of your home, including the cost of pest control, temporary accommodation, furniture replacement or just the sheer hassle.

The reduction could be even more if the infestation is severe and well known locally.

Is it hard to sell a house with bedbugs?

It can be. Some buyers will walk away the moment bedbugs are mentioned, while others might use it as a bargaining chip to slash their offer.

Even if you do find a willing buyer, lenders can sometimes be spooked by pest issues, especially if they show up in the survey. This means your sale could fall through or take longer than expected to complete.

If you’re trying to sell on the open market, you may have to:

Pay for expensive treatments
Wait for the problem to be resolved
Accept a lower offer
Disclose the issue to every potential buyer

Not exactly ideal if you’re looking to move on quickly.

Sell your house with bedbugs fast with HBB

If dealing with bedbugs has pushed you to the edge, you’re not alone. Many homeowners find that the quickest and least stressful way to move on is to sell directly to a cash buyer like House Buyer Bureau.

We’ll buy your house in any condition (yes, even with bedbugs) and we won’t pull out at the last minute because of an infestation. You don’t need to pay for pest control, fix up the place or wait around for buyers who may well just disappear.

It’s a guaranteed sale, with cash in your bank in as little as 7 days. No estate agents. No hidden fees. No need to hide the bug spray when someone comes round to view.

Ready to sell your house, bedbugs-be-damned? Get in touch with our friendly team today for a no-obligation cash offer and take the first step towards a fresh start.

Chris

Chris has worked in property all his career, first as a successful estate agent before spotting a gap in the market for buying property directly from people looking for a simple, quick sale.

He has a passion for property and as an experienced valuer, has looked at well over 50,000 properties so far at HBB. He has extensive experience in property buying and regularly comments in the press on property matters, trends and promotes ways to simplify and speed up the selling process.

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