Partridge Green, West Sussex – The owner of a £6 million mansion in West Sussex has accused award-winning singer Adele of sabotaging its sale by allegedly branding the property haunted during an interview.
The singer rented the Grade II-listed Lock House in Partridge Green for six months in 2012. According to the property’s owner, comments made by Adele about the house being eerie and unsettling have made it difficult to sell, with potential buyers reportedly put off by its supposed haunted reputation.
In a planning application submitted by the owner, who is seeking permission to convert the 10-bedroom mansion into three residential units and a separate cottage, Adele’s remarks were specifically highlighted as a factor negatively impacting the property’s marketability.
“The first tenant, Adele, stayed for six months and blighted the property by saying it is haunted. This comment negatively impacted future marketing efforts and continues to affect the property’s reputation to this day,” the application stated.
‘Gives Me the Creeps’
During an interview with Anderson Cooper on CBS in 2012, Adele discussed her experience at Lock House, describing certain areas of the home as “quite scary” and admitting, “I’m not rattling around here on my own. It gives me the creeps.”
However, while Adele expressed unease about the mansion, she did not explicitly call it haunted during the interview.
Despite this, the property’s owner claims her remarks have significantly hindered efforts to sell the home, with only one offer ever received since it was first listed for sale about 14 years ago.
The application further stated that the sole offer, made in August 2020, was later withdrawn after the potential buyer became aware of the property’s supposed supernatural reputation.
History of Lock House
Originally built in 1909, Lock House underwent significant reconstruction in 1940 before being divided into 26 separate lots and sold at auction in 1971.
It was later acquired by the church and served as the Convent of the Visitation before being purchased by a property trader and ultimately sold to its current owner in 2003.
The estate, spanning 32 acres, boasts 10 bathrooms, an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, a tennis court, a cinema room, and even a helicopter pad.
Despite its luxurious amenities, the mansion has struggled to attract buyers, leading the owner to seek planning approval to divide the property into multiple units.
Following Adele’s departure, Lock House was rented to a tenant who claimed to use it for a bespoke dressmaking business.
However, it was later discovered that the mansion was being used for a residential retreat and fitness boot camp, further complicating its history and potential sale.
Currently listed at £5,995,000, Lock House remains on the market, with its owner now hoping redevelopment plans will improve its prospects. Adele has not publicly commented on the claims regarding the mansion’s supposed haunted status or its impact on the sale.
Haunted or Just Hard to Sell?
While some may dismiss the notion that Adele’s comments have had a lasting effect on the property’s desirability, the owner is adamant that the singer’s remarks have cast a long shadow over Lock House’s marketability.
Whether the mansion’s haunting reputation is justified or merely an unfortunate marketing hurdle, it remains to be seen if the planned redevelopment will finally help it find a buyer.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
