Number of FTBs surges along with energy efficient homes according to the latest English Housing Survey

The latest English Housing Survey has just been released and you’d be forgiven for thinking at first glance that today’s statistics from the government are largely ‘business as usual’ where the proportion of owner-occupied homes vs rental properties are concerned.

The data shows: –

  • A 64% owner-occupation rate, which is largely the same as five years ago. And the same goes for the percentage of private rental stock at 19% is roughly similar to 2014 albeit itself double that of the 1990’s

 

  • However, a deeper dive into the numbers highlights three big changes in household ‘behaviour’.

 

  • The number of young people owning a home (25 to 34) has bounced back from a low of 36% to 41% now

 

  • The under-utilised space in owner-occupied properties has risen amongst homeowners,  up 42% to 52% in the past twenty years whilst overcrowding in rented homes has increased.

 

  • Energy efficiency has improved dramatically. In the past ten years those homes with an EPC edging of A, B or C has improved from just 9% to 34%

Director of lettings and sale agent, Marc von Grundherr, commented:

“Despite all that we hear of the plight of the first time buyer, it seems that statistically speaking they’ve rarely had it so good.

Homeownership amongst youngsters is on the up and no doubt heavily influenced by Help to Buy, record-low mortgage rates and the Bank of Mum and Dad.

Either that or perhaps millennials have heeded the advice of consumer experts and some estate agents and have indeed cut back on avocados and trips to Ibiza, saving their earnings for a home purchase instead.

The even better news is that foot soldiers of Extinction Rebellion can now unglue themselves from various items of London transport, because housing, one of the biggest climate change protagonists, is officially significantly less harmful to the planet than a decade ago. This means that we don’t need to switch our central heating off just yet in order to placate Greta & Co.”

Properganda PR

National and local media coverage for property businesses. Journo quotes delivered in minutes.

You May Also Enjoy

Estate Agent Talk

How Technology is Changing the Prime Property Viewing Experience

The world of luxury real estate has always been about delivering a premium, personal experience. But in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, even the most traditional sectors are being reshaped by technology—and prime property viewings are no exception. From augmented reality to AI-driven virtual tours, the way buyers interact with high-end properties has changed dramatically.…
Read More
Love or Hate Rightmove
Breaking News

Average two-year fixed mortgage rate for 60% LTV now cheaper than five-year rate

The average two-year fixed mortgage rate for those with a 40% deposit (60% LTV) is now cheaper than the average five-year fixed equivalent, the first time this has happened since the mini-Budget The average two-year fixed, 60% LTV mortgage rate is now 4.18%, while the five-year equivalent is 4.19% The gap between average two-year fixed…
Read More
Overseas Property

How UK Property Investors Can Manage Exchange Rate Risk When Buying Off-Plan Overseas

Off-plan purchases are especially common in developing overseas property markets with a high proportion of international investors. In these less mature markets, a significant share of stock is sold directly by developers, making off-plan transactions a natural sales model. These opportunities appeal to international buyers because they typically require less upfront cash due to extended…
Read More
Breaking News

Foxtons Lettings Market Index – March 2025

London rental market gains momentum as new rental listings surge, Foxtons data shows   March saw a 14% increase in new rental listings across London compared to February Applicant registrations rose by 11% month-on-month in March. Year on year, demand was stable, tracking just 2% below March 2024 levels The average rent in March stood…
Read More
Breaking News

UK’s mid-market firms show improved business growth in March but economic uncertainty continues

Key findings: NatWest’s Mid-market Growth Tracker shows improved business growth in March, led by a strong service sector performance SMEs register a softer decline in output levels during March Market conditions remain challenging and we could see continued challenges in the coming months   Mid-market businesses continued to outperform the wider UK economy in March,…
Read More
Breaking News

ONS Private rent and house prices UK – April 2025

The Price Index of Private Rents (PIPR) measures private rent inflation for new and existing tenancies. The UK House Price Index measures house price inflation. Main Headlines Average UK monthly private rents increased by 7.7%, to £1,332, in the 12 months to March 2025 (provisional estimate); this annual growth rate is down from 8.1% in…
Read More