Home sales’ dirty secret

HOMEOWNERS trying to sell are increasingly sprucing up eyesore homes next door in secret, in case the mess puts off buyers.

The ‘guerrilla cleaning’ tactic includes cleaning windows and tidying gardens when neighbours are out, say property experts.

Cleaning firms have even reported customers asking them to do the house next door as well. Phillip Mijtov, of London Cleaning System, said the requests come in ‘when people are selling houses. They do it because the windows look so dirty’.

House seller Sue Pearce cleaned her elderly neighbour’s windows after her potential buyer commented on them – and promptly sold up following eight months of little interest.

Mrs Pearce, of Plymouth, said: ‘The easiest thing was for me to just go ahead and do it myself. I think at first my neighbour felt insulted... I think he sees the funny side of it now.’