Half of house hunters say they wouldn't buy a property with a messy garden

They say you should look beyond the clutter when choosing the right home - but some buyers just can't get past it.

Almost half in fact - who say they have been put off buying or renting a property by the condition of the backyard.

That's according to property website Zoopla which found  47% of people have been put off by shabby gardens in the past, effectively costing sellers thousands of pounds.

Exactly half of the 2,000 people surveyed said a good garden layout is as or more important than a well-designed bathroom or kitchen.

People were also found to spend an average of £678 a year to keep their current gardens, terraces and courtyards in good condition.

Buyers are being put off by the state of the property's surroundings (Getty)

Nearly nine in 10 renters and home owners added that they consider their outside space to be either very or extremely important.

Zoopla spokeswoman Laura Howard said: "The annual weather in the UK might be changeable but the requirement for a garden is steadfast."

The survey also asked people to rank their favourite garden design features, with having somewhere to relax coming out top.