A messy child’s bedroom can knock thousands of pounds off the price of a house, a new UK study has suggested.

A survey of more than 1,000 adults by mortgage provider ING Direct found that two out of five prospective buyers would be put off a property if it had an untidy boy’s or girl’s bedroom.

Many said they would use it as an excuse to negotiate a lower price for a house. Traces of pets, smelly bathrooms, overgrown lawns and grubby kitchens also had an impact on buyers’ impressions of a house, said the report.

ING Direct chief executive Richard Doe said: “Parents aiming to sell their home should bear in mind the impact an untidy child’s room could have on any offers.

“Even if the mess doesn’t completely dissuade a buyer, it seems that it certainly impacts on the price they’d be willing to pay – so children keeping their rooms spic and span could really pay off.”