Homebuyers fear boys in the hoods

Forget car wrecks in the front garden and roaring traffic. The one thing guaranteed to drive away homebuyers and tenants from a London street today are groups of hooded teenagers hanging around.

A survey by estate agents' website propertyfinder.com found nine out of 10 househunters would be put off buying or renting a home in a street where teenagers congregate, hiding their faces with hooded tops. Half would not even consider such a street.

Even if the hoodies were not visible at the time of a viewing, their "calling card" - graffiti - would deter most people. Half said they would walk away at once if the street was dirty.

Jim Buckle, of propertyfinder.com, said: "It is where signs of antisocial behaviour exist, such as graffiti and litter, that groups of teenagers put off potential newcomers."

Londoners tend to be less concerned than the rest of the country by a pub in the street. Their ideal home is in a well-lit Georgian side street with well-tended gardens.