Adele’s 2012 comments branding her former mansion “haunted” leave the $7m property unsellable.

Adele, the globally adored singer with 16 Grammys to her name, may have left an unintended legacy at her former West Sussex mansion. Her 2012 claims that the property was “haunted” have reportedly rendered it unsellable, according to its current owner, Nicholas Sutton.

The 10-bedroom mansion, rented by Adele for six months in 2012, is currently on the market for £5.99 million. Yet, Sutton blames the singer’s public remarks for deterring potential buyers. During a CBS interview with Anderson Cooper, Adele described the historic property, known as Lock House, as “quite scary” and admitted hiring a female bodyguard after hearing unexplained noises.

Sutton alleges these comments continue to haunt the mansion’s reputation and have significantly hampered marketing efforts. Despite its luxury features—including seven en suite bedrooms, an indoor swimming pool, a guest cottage, and extensive gardens with a tennis court—the property has struggled to attract serious interest.

Lock House has a storied and somewhat macabre history. Built in the early 1900s for the affluent Harvey family, it has seen its share of unsettling events. In 1933, a nurse working for a wealthy couple nearby was found dead on a railway line close to the property. Later, in the 1950s, the mansion was twice targeted by thieves. The surrounding village of Partridge Green has also witnessed several murders since 1955.

The mansion’s history grew more complex in 1971 when it was divided into 26 lots before being purchased by a church and used as a convent. By 2002, the nuns were forced to vacate due to the building’s upkeep costs. Sutton acquired the property in 2003, converting it back into a single residence.

However, selling it has been an uphill battle. Sutton revealed he actively sought a buyer for 14 years, receiving only one offer in 2020, which was withdrawn once the buyer learned of its “haunted” reputation. Adele’s publicised comments remain a lingering obstacle.

In a bid to address the issue, Sutton has submitted plans to divide the mansion into three houses, converting an existing garage and flat into a cottage. He argues this move will not only make the property more marketable but will also preserve its historical essence.

Lock House’s paranormal reputation places it alongside other celebrity-haunted properties. Adele joins the likes of Joan Rivers and Nicolas Cage, both of whom also claimed to have encountered ghostly presences in their homes.

Despite its troubled past, Lock House remains an architectural gem, offering a rare blend of historic charm and modern luxury. Whether Sutton’s plan to redevelop the property will exorcise its unsellable status remains to be seen.