The biggest turn-offs for prospective renters and housebuyers

Noisy neighbours named as the most off-putting factor for people looking for a new property

Latest figures suggest that rents have risen more slowly than inflation over the last twelve months (PA)

New figures from mortgage broker Ocean Finance suggests that while 4 per cent of us are put off putting in an offer by an overgrown garden, more than a quarter of potential housebuyers and renters would look elsewhere when faced with an untidy garden next door.

Other potential dealbreaks include:

* Mouldy rooms (49%)

* No central heating (30%)

* Unpleasant smells, such as smokers or animals (27%)

* Stone cladding (7%)

* Brown/green bathroom suite (4%)

The survey comes as latest figures suggest that rents have risen more slowly than inflation over the last twelve months. LSL Property Services, which owns Your Move and Reeds Rains, said the average rent in England and Wales reached £738 per month in July, a monthly increase of 0.2%. By comparison, in July 2012 rents rose by 1 per cent on a monthly basis.

Younger people are much less likely to be put off by noisy neighbours, with 35 per cent of people age 18-24 saying this is an issue compared with 65 per cent of people over 65.

However, people aged 55-64 (25%) and 65+ (27%) are less likely to be deterred by the fact that a house has no central heating than 25-34 year olds are (36%). They are also half as likely to be bothered by the fact that a house has no double glazing.

Ian Williams from Ocean Finance said: "It's good to see that buyers are generally very savvy about what gives a home a lot of potential. It isn't about decoration, which can be changed relatively easily - it's about how pleasant the area and the house are to live in. Buyers also seem to know that more insidious problems like mould are also best avoided unless they have the funds and the time to make all the necessary repairs and changes."