Older generation trapped

A report out today in one of the main stream newspapers highlights the difficulty being experience by the over 55’s to find an appropriate property to downsize to due to limited availability.

In fact millions of older people are actually trapped in properties too large for their needs due to a shortgae of suitable sized housing a study has revealed. As in most families the children reach an age where they want to “fly the nest” this leaves their parents or parent living in a home too big for their needs, research suggests that almost a third of over 55’s have considered downsizing in the last 5 years.

It was reported that The Financial services company Legal & General carried out the new research with the Centre for Economic and Business Research, they confirmed there were 3.3 million older people in oversized properties worth £820 billion overall.

The housing shortage appears to affect the complete spectrum of homeowners, from those looking to upsize to those looking to downsize, there is no doubt there is a crisis that needs addressing immediately, projected figures estimate that around 210,000 need to be built in Britain a year over the next 20 years to meet present demand.

 

 

 

Allen Walkey

Highly experienced businessman with a successful career in property sales and investment both in the UK and abroad. Now a freelance writer and blogger for the property and Investment Industry, keeping readers up-to-date with changes and events in a rapidly changing world.

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

UK Gov announcement capping ground rents at £250

The Government has announced that it will cap ground rents at £250 per year in England and Wales, as part of changes to the leasehold system. The measures announced by the Prime Minister aim to give homeowners greater control over their properties and include new leasehold flats to be banned and existing leaseholders getting the…
Read More
Breaking News

Landlords behind the curve on tax changes, and tenants could pay the price

Millions of renters are facing another cost-of-living hit, thanks to a botched tax overhaul and landlords who admit they don’t know what they’re doing. A new survey suggests most landlords are woefully unprepared for Making Tax Digital (MTD), a government tax overhaul due to begin this April. Just 1 in 8 landlords say they understand…
Read More
Breaking News

Rental Inflation Grinds to a Halt as Rent Controls Arrive in Scotland

Rental growth falls close to zero at just 0.2% Rents fall in real terms as new Act gives rise to controls Caution advised for future council market analyses   National rental growth falls to near zero as new rent control powers land in Scotland’s Private Rented Sector. The latest Citylets report shows the rate of…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

Buying schemes remain in high demand but short supply across England

The latest research from Yopa, the full-service estate agents, reveals that whilst buying schemes designed to to help homebuyers onto the ladder are in high demand, the stock availability of properties with such offerings is low. Yopa has analysed the current market for for-sale housing stock in England, looking at what proportion of homes currently…
Read More
Breaking News

Draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill

ALEP (the Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners) has welcomed the publication of the Draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill, describing it as an important step in the government’s long stated aim to modernise tenure structures in England and Wales. The draft Bill, published as a policy paper, sets out to reinvigorate and reform the commonhold…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

New Phase for London’s Super-Prime Market

By Daniel Austin, CEO and co-founder at ASK Partners London’s super-prime residential market is entering a new phase, defined not by retrenchment, but by renewed global interest, improved value and a subtle shift in buyer dynamics. After several years of price adjustment, the capital is attracting a fresh wave of internationally mobile purchasers who see…
Read More