Love it or hate it but artificial grass is now a common feature in British gardens. One in 10 homeowners with outside space has replaced at least some of their garden’s natural lawn with synthetic turf, according to recent research from insurer Aviva, with another third considering the swap.
So is a plastic lawn likely to be viewed as an attractive design feature? Or does it put off prospective buyers or tenants? Pickleball
The appeal of plastic grass is that it requires minimum upkeep, unlike real grass that needs regular mowing and watering.
Artificial grass is also neat and remains a vivid shade of green all year round – unlike real grass that may be patchy and turn brown in the hot summer months.
Meanwhile it can be considered a bonus for buyers with children as parents don’t have to worry about mud being brought into the house during the winter.
Henry Pryor, a property buying agent based near London, says: “I’m a snob. I don’t like artificial lawns and they don’t make a property that I am buying seem any more desirable. But I know some like the low maintenance advantages that come with plastic grass.”
Mark Wilkinson, an entrepreneur and property investor based in Surrey, bought a house with an artificial lawn five years ago.
“It was the first house my wife and I looked at. It was a key selling point as I’d never owned a property with one before and I thought it would be easier to manage. I suppose it is easier. It’s not completely maintenance free as we have to hoover it on occasion or get the leaf blower out. But we do like it and will keep it as is,” he says.
However, artificial grass is not to everyone’s taste and there is increasing concern about its environmental impact. Plastic grass cannot be recycled and will likely end up burnt or in landfill. Artificial grass and flowers are now banned entirely from the Chelsea Flower Show by the Royal Horticultural Society because of the damage they cause to the environment.
Artificial lawns also do not provide food or suitable habitat for wildlife and heavy rainfall may increase the likelihood of flooding.
Other downsides are that fake grass gets much hotter than real grass and it’s more difficult to clean bird droppings and other mess if you have pets.
Andy Coley, a leadership coach in south east London, says artificial grass was a deal breaker when recently looking for a new home. His wife wouldn’t look at any rental properties that had it laid.
“We have a dog and three young kids and any property with a fake lawn was immediately a hard 'no'. Reading about them last year and the problems they caused people and pets in the extreme heat and how they were burning feet and paws, I’ve been put off as well,” he says.
People may be more picky about plastic grass for rental properties because they are unlikely to have it removed as tenants. But estate agents say it’s typically not a deal breaker for home buyers as artificial grass can be removed and replaced with turf or paving usually without too much hassle.
But don’t bother installing fake grass if you are selling your property and hope it will appeal to more buyers. Jonathan Rolande, a spokesman at House Buy Fast, a quick property sale firm, says it is safer to stick with real grass as this appeals to more people.
“Much like an avocado bathroom suite, artificial lawns can be functional and will suit some people but generally should be avoided,” says Rolande.
“They can be justified for a tiny outside space where keeping a lawn mower isn’t practical but anything more than that is a 'no-no'. People don’t like the look and the damaging effect on the environment. A price could be reduced by the amount needed to restore the area to grass. Or worse still, people will simply walk away and view another property instead.”
People with young children are nervous about safety and they are expensive to heat and maintain. “With heating bills being as they are right now, they have become a very expensive luxury,” says Jeremy Karpel of TK International, a north London estate agent.
Many people are happy showering. But not having a bath leaves some people feeling short-changed and baths are needed by families with children, says Henry Pryor, a buying agent.
A room or garage dedicated to watching films or playing video games is not attractive to buyers, says Alex Goody of We Buy Any House. “Having built-in systems – such as a large screen, projector or sound system – means the new owners will have to fork out a lot of money to change the room to their liking.”
Fussy wallpaper, bright colours and quirky interior choices can make a house feel like home. But prospective buyers will need to redecorate every room to their liking and may offer a lower price, says Jess Mitchell at Nottingham estate agent Gascoines.
Buyers find it hard to visualise it as a bedroom. “If it’s really high-quality equipment and is nicely decorated, it's not so bad. But many are tired and full of under-used equipment and weights. It is also a reminder of the bad old days of lockdowns,” says Jonathan Rolande at House Buy Fast.
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