Property Eleven strange house superstitions

The squeaky floorboard that can’t be fixed, that mystery switch that doesn’t do anything all houses have their quirks, but some are actually built into the foundations. Armishaws Removals have been unearthing some of the weirdest home superstitions.

Which Witch

For centuries European housebuilders puzzled over the age-old problem; how to stop a witch coming down the chimney. Mummified cats, animals’ hearts pierced with iron nails, pots of urine... all manner of anti-witch totems were buried in the chimney or hearth to keep the pointy-hatted harridans away. A ‘witch’s crook’ was another tactic, essentially building a bend in the chimney to stop them flying down it.

Triskaidekaphobia

The fear of the number 13 is reflected throughout our homes. Many people won’t buy a house that is numbered 13. 28% of British streets don’t have a number 13 (check your street) partly because on average, properties numbered 13 sell for 2% less than 11 and 15, so profit-hungry developers simply avoid it. In New York less than 5% of highrises have a 13th floor.

Buy-Day The 13th

It’s not just the house, it’s also the date. Fewer homes are sold on the 13th day of the month.