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| Half of privately owned homes are 'under-occupied' | Half of privately owned homes are 'under-occupied' |
| (12 days later) | |
| Half of all private homes are under-occupied, according to analysis by building society Nationwide, which comes as the coalition government is forging ahead with the "bedroom tax" for council houses. | Half of all private homes are under-occupied, according to analysis by building society Nationwide, which comes as the coalition government is forging ahead with the "bedroom tax" for council houses. |
| The study found that 85% of owner-occupied properties in England have at least one spare bedroom. "Remarkably, 49% are classified as being 'under-occupied' – that is to say they have two or more spare bedrooms. In contrast, in the private rental sector only 16% of properties are 'under-occupied'," Nationwide said. | The study found that 85% of owner-occupied properties in England have at least one spare bedroom. "Remarkably, 49% are classified as being 'under-occupied' – that is to say they have two or more spare bedrooms. In contrast, in the private rental sector only 16% of properties are 'under-occupied'," Nationwide said. |
| Its findings also contradict the widely held view that Britain's population is being squeezed into smaller and smaller homes. | Its findings also contradict the widely held view that Britain's population is being squeezed into smaller and smaller homes. |
| Since 2001, the mean floor area of a home has increased from 86.9m2 (935 sq ft) to 91.6m2 (986 sq ft), Nationwide said. Behind the expansion is a flood of extensions, loft conversions and conservatories. | Since 2001, the mean floor area of a home has increased from 86.9m2 (935 sq ft) to 91.6m2 (986 sq ft), Nationwide said. Behind the expansion is a flood of extensions, loft conversions and conservatories. |
| "26% of properties have been extended since their construction, while 5% have had a loft conversion. A further 16% of properties benefit from additional space through having a conservatory," Nationwide found. | "26% of properties have been extended since their construction, while 5% have had a loft conversion. A further 16% of properties benefit from additional space through having a conservatory," Nationwide found. |
| The average size of a private detached home has risen from 139.2m2 to 149.1m2, but the research reveals a generational divide with the average flat – popular among first-time buyers – shrinking in size from 58.6m2 to 58.1m2. But we are squeezing in more bathrooms: Nationwide found that just over a quarter of the country's private homes now have two bathrooms, while 39% have a second loo. | The average size of a private detached home has risen from 139.2m2 to 149.1m2, but the research reveals a generational divide with the average flat – popular among first-time buyers – shrinking in size from 58.6m2 to 58.1m2. But we are squeezing in more bathrooms: Nationwide found that just over a quarter of the country's private homes now have two bathrooms, while 39% have a second loo. |
| Bungalows appear to be going out of favour, despite ageing demographics. Nationwide said they make up 9.7% of the housing stock compared to 11.4% in 1996. Meanwhile, there has been a slight increase in the proportion of detached houses, up from 21.5% to 23.8% over the same period. | Bungalows appear to be going out of favour, despite ageing demographics. Nationwide said they make up 9.7% of the housing stock compared to 11.4% in 1996. Meanwhile, there has been a slight increase in the proportion of detached houses, up from 21.5% to 23.8% over the same period. |
| Our homes are also becoming more energy efficient, as much due to the rising cost of gas and electricity as concern about carbon emissions. Since 1996 the proportion of owner-occupied property rated A-D has increased from 14% to 55%, Nationwide said. It also cited data from the DCLG English housing survey which found that the proportion of dwellings with double glazing has increased from 30% to 76% since 1996. | Our homes are also becoming more energy efficient, as much due to the rising cost of gas and electricity as concern about carbon emissions. Since 1996 the proportion of owner-occupied property rated A-D has increased from 14% to 55%, Nationwide said. It also cited data from the DCLG English housing survey which found that the proportion of dwellings with double glazing has increased from 30% to 76% since 1996. |
| Top mortgages | Top mortgages |
| Chelsea Building Society | Chelsea Building Society |
| Yorkshire BS | |
| Nationwide | Nationwide |
| Provided by London & Country for the Guardian | Provided by London & Country for the Guardian |