Lucky 13. 23/05/11

Heywoods said that simply having the wrong house number could potentially knock several thousand pounds off the value of a home and pointed to a recent survey, which backed up the company's claims.

The research, which was conducted by property website Zoopla, found that the average price of a house at a number 13 address was £205,085. This was nearly £4,000 lower than the average price of £209,009 for homes with the neighbouring numbers of 11, 12, 14 and 15.

Unsurprisingly, numbers 1 and 2 command the highest average prices as these by nature tend to be more desirable end-terrace properties and corner locations.

Heywoods said the figures also explained why so many new housing developments avoided addresses with the number 13, as housebuilders clearly stood to lose a significant amount of revenue by using the number.