Conservatories could bring down a property’s value by as much as £15,000, analysis from the property site Rightmove shows.

Experts have found that what was once seen as an admirable feature of a house could now be damaging its value.

The reason for this is because they are now seen as being dated and energy-inefficient by the majority of buyers.

Data from the property site shows the number of homes coming on to the market with conservatories plummeted by 52% between 2012 and 2022.

Meanwhile, just 77,000 conservatories were built in 2017 compared to around half a million in 2006 – a decline of 84%.

Andy Bayes, from the House Buyers Bureau, said the trend of having a conservatory was “on the wane with no signs of recovery”.

He said: “I think the cost is the primary reason why people are turning away from them. People are much more energy efficient now and with a conservatory, you’re wrestling with a space that isn’t useable for half the year.”

Alongside concerns around energy efficiency, Mr Bayes also said house buyers consider the extended feature to be “a bit naff”.

Simon Wall, Director of Stephanie Macnab Estate Agents and Chartered Surveyor says “This analysis very much reflects our experience. 

What was once seen as a very desirable addition, is now seen as potential liability, particularly the older timber or uPVC conservatories, some of which were not particularly well built due to the fact that planning permission and building regulation approval are often not required.

These older conservatories also takes up valuable space at the rear, space that might otherwise be used to create the open plan dining kitchen extension.

The installation of new tiled roofs can help increase the usability of that space, and whilst some homeowners still highly value their conservatories, the writing may well be on the wall for the humble conservatory!”