Should I avoid houses with a cellar?

propertyrental

Houses without cellars have their structural walls below ground. They are part of the 'foundations' and as they are below ground those walls will be damp. That's why a damp proof course (DPC) is added to the walls just above ground level, to prevent the damp in the walls below ground from affecting the walls above ground.

A cellar is no different. Unless it is designed to be 'habitable' ie used as a bedroom, games room etc(see below), it will be damp. Just like the walls of the house without a cellar, there will be a DPC to keep the damp below ground.

The difficulties only arise if you want to use the cellar as a habitable room and therefore try to make the cellar dry. This is called 'tanking' which is possible, but difficult and expensive.