Whether you're looking to sell or simply add value to your property, one easy way to do it is to give it name.
Property nameplates can add £1,000s to the value of your property, but some names are worth more than others.
A traditional house name could boost the value by £1,000s - possibly more than any quick DIY fix or maintenance repairs, according to property experts.
Subscribe to MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Anyone can give their property a name, but to really add value to your home, you would have to register it with your local council.
The latest Savills research into house price premiums for house names reveals that at the top are properties named The Manor House, worth over £1million in England and Wales. To put this into perspective, this is almost four times the average house prices in the two areas.
Lucian Cook, head of residential research at Savills explains why certain house names have held steady over centuries, saying that “house names instantly conjure an image, whether it’s the distinctive roof line of an Oast House or the intricate timbers within a Tithe Barn.”
He adds further: “Once home to those with the highest status in society, the likes of The Manor House, The Old Rectory and The Old Vicarage, still command the highest house prices, fending off the competition from more contemporary names such as Mallards and Timbers.”
But what’s in a name and how much can it be worth? These are the top 10 expensive house names in the UK.
Top 10 most expensive house names in the UK
The data by Savills looked at what names were linked with a minimum of 30 house sales in the last five years, where one in every five of these sales was £1million or more.
It found that the most expensive house names in the UK were based on the ancient feudal system, religion, mythology, beer and flora.
In first place is The Manor House, which commands the highest property price tag of £1.4million on average, and at least two out of every five houses named The Manor House are worth more than £1million.
The Manor House was historically the main house of the lord of the manor in the European feudal system, and would typically be the largest house in the locality.
In the second position is The Old Rectory, worth an average of £1.3million and dates back to the Georgian, Regency and Victorian periods. At least 50% of the houses sold with this name in the last five years were valued at over £1million.
These are the most expensive house names in the UK, with the average price tag attached to it.
| Rank | Name | Average Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Manor House | £1,423,128 |
| 2 | (The) Old Rectory | £1,301,424 |
| 3 | Mallards | £1,164,150 |
| 4 | (The) Old Vicarage | £1,086,887 |
| 5 | The Oast House | £1,038,774 |
| 6 | Lime Tree House | £981,121 |
| 7 | Manor House / The Manor | £967,117 |
| 8 | Manor Farm House | £966,235 |
| 9 | Grove House | £962,904 |
| 10 | Glebe House | £940,814 |
Source: Savills
Phillippa Dalby-Welsh, head of Savills country department, says that house names often provide prospective buyers with a first impression of the property.
“The name of a house can give it a particular charm, even a notional personality, before a prospective buyer has even set eyes on the property. Quintessentially English names symbolise ideal country living, and conjure up images of period drama,” she says.
As to why manor houses, rectories and vicarages work, she explains that such houses benefit from central locations which typically sit on the edge or at the centre of the village.
"Properties which historically symbolised high stature are also usually very well proportioned with high ceilings and large windows, and good sized gardens, perfect for modern day families. The timeless appeal to these homes mean that they will never go out of fashion and will always be highly sought after by buyers.”
How to name your property
If you’re thinking about naming your house but don’t know where to start, we’ve rounded up a few ways you can keep the ideas flowing.
- Honour its former use: Maybe your home was previously a barn or a manor - think about its historical significance and whether you want to include that in your house name.
- Geographical location: Look for the tiny details around you - the flora and fauna, whether your house is near the valleys, railway line, hillside or perhaps near a landmark location like a church or a factory. You may be surprised by how much inspiration you find when you look around.
- Give it a personal touch: If your home has something unique to offer, or maybe you just want to make it a memorable place to live, think about naming it after something you love. It could be your pet, your favourite travel destination or even your favourite food.
- Keep it simple: Naming your house can be a huge decision to make, especially if you’re planning to live there for a long time. You’ll be seeing it in your letters, using it for paying bills and inviting people over. Try to keep your house name sweet and simple, so that it’s easy to say and remember while reflecting your property’s uniqueness and location.
But there are a few hurdles and some paperwork involved to get your house name registered.
- Contact your local council: The first thing you need to do is contact your local council which is responsible for naming and numbering your street. The council will then check with Royal Mail for approval. So if you have a name in mind, keep your fingers crossed that nobody else is already using it in your immediate surroundings.
- Pay the fees: There is a fee involved if you want to name your house or change its existing name, which costs anywhere between £40 - £150 depending on where you live.
- Keep your number: Most houses come with a postal number for identification purposes. You will be required to use the house number in your address and display it in a way that it can be clearly seen.
- Register the name change: After your name is approved, you will have to register the change with different services such as the Land Registry, your household bill providers, and mortgage lenders. The council will already do this for emergency services so that's one job out of the way.
-
Should you sell in May this year?The market adage looks unlikely to apply in 2024, and global equities are proving resilient
-
Should you invest in UK equities?The FTSE 100 hit a record high this week, but UK equities remain unloved and undervalued compared to their global and US peers. Should you snap them up at a discount?
