Fusty smell in new house

[RoxieLoxy]

Our new house (new to us but built about 1960) has a strange smell which is ok once we are in it (I guess we get used to it) but when we leave our hair smells of it.

It isn't actually a horrible smell. It's kind of a dusty vaguely perfumed smell. Not unpleasant but not great either.

What could it be? I've cleaned the floors and there are no carpets. The shower room smells a bit damp but doesn't have external windows and we had a level 3 survey so I think damp is unlikely.

Does anyone have any ideas please?

I think once you're living there and the house is warm and aired the smell will change.
Rather than bedbugs - if you have any hibernating ladybirds in the loft they have quite a strong odour.

Were there carpets that have been removed?

I have lived in a big block of flats in an old mill building for 3 years. There has always been a faint, talcomy perfumed smell here if I go out and come back in. But I think the whole block does. We access our flats from an outside walkway, so in summer, lots of people have their doors open, the same smell wafts out as you pass. It's so weird!

At least half our house hadn't been heated at all for several years. The previous owners had turned off all the radiators except for in the few rooms they used most. It had a really odd fusty smell - and I liken it to when I have bought vintage clothes! They often have this odd aroma to them. We moved in during the summer, had windows wide open and aired it all but it was still there. It wasn't until a good winter of heating rooms and using a dehumidifer that it seemed to disspate.

Thanks so much everyone. Took my DM there today for her opinion on the smell and she has said exactly the same as lots of you have - she thinks it's just the previous owner smell and living in it and airing it will sort it out.

Funny thing was when we went back home she stepped into the house we currently live in and said it has a smell (a nice smell) and I was like, no it doesn't smell of anything! So I guess we get used to our own house smell.

Anyway thanks for all the replies, feeling better about it now.