Lock House, a historic Grade II-listed property nestled in Partridge Green, West Sussex, finds itself at the center of intrigue and real estate challenges. Originally constructed in 1909, the property has undergone significant transformations, notably a major reconstruction in 1940. Its storied past includes ownership by a convent before being sold to a property trader, who then sold it to the current owner in 2003. Today, the property is listed for sale at £5,995,000. However, its haunted reputation casts a long shadow over its marketability.
In 2012, international pop star Adele rented Lock House, staying for six months. During an interview with Anderson Cooper on CBS, Adele remarked on the property's eerie ambiance.
"This bit's all quite scary, really. I'm not rattling around here on my own. It gives me the creeps." – Adele
The owner's plans to transform Lock House from a single dwelling into three residential units and to convert an existing garage and flat into a separate cottage have been submitted for planning permission. Despite these efforts, the property has languished on the market for approximately 14 years.
Notably, the only offer for Lock House came in August 2020, but the prospective buyer withdrew upon learning of its supposed haunted status. The owner attributes this setback to Adele's earlier comments.
"The first tenant, Adele, stayed for six months and blighted the property by saying it is haunted" – The owner
The property's appeal lies in its luxurious amenities, including 10 bedrooms, 10 bathrooms, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a tennis court, a helicopter pad, and a cinema room. Yet, these features have not been enough to offset the property's reputation.
"This comment negatively impacted future marketing efforts and continues to affect the property's reputation to this day" – The owner
Leave a Reply