A report from Yorkshire Building Society, of which Accord Mortgages is the intermediary lending arm, uncovers shifting priorities for homeowners and renters in terms of what they look for in a place to live, and for most people, the basics matter most.
Since the pandemic, the narrative has centred on the race for extra space, including garden offices to facilitate working from home. But research for the lender’s latest policy paper No Way Home? Restoring Britain’s Housing Ladder, found that the definition of a ‘good home’ has moved towards a focus on the fundamentals.
When asked what makes a good home, respondents placed the greatest emphasis on warm, healthy and affordable homes, while home-working features were among the lowest priorities.
More than three quarters (77%) said a good home must be free from damp and mould, increasing to 88% of downsizers, while 68% highlighted good insulation and energy efficiency, and 67% cited double glazing. Affordability also featured prominently, with 66% saying that manageable rent or mortgage payments were essential.
The findings suggest that amidst ongoing cost of living pressures, households are increasingly focused on keeping homes warm, healthy and affordable to run, rather than chasing lifestyle extras.
Perhaps most strikingly, just 15% said a home office or dedicated workspace was important. These features now rank behind all others tested in the research.
Instead, people appear to be placing greater emphasis on the wider environment around their homes. Two-thirds (67%) said a safe and friendly neighbourhood was essential, making it as important as double glazing and more important than high-speed broadband (47%), proximity to shops, schools and transport links (42%), or a modern kitchen (46%).
Tom Simpson, managing director of homes at Yorkshire Building Society, said: “Much of the conversation about what people want from their homes has focused on home offices and lifestyle features. Our research offers a different perspective: for most people, it’s the basics that matter most. Somewhere warm, free from damp and mould, with costs they can manage. A dedicated workspace matters to a minority, but those fundamentals matter to the majority.
“That should shape the housing debate. We need more homes, but also homes that meet people’s everyday needs, whether they own or rent. Improving existing properties and supporting responsible landlords to provide good-quality rental homes must be part of the answer.
“Our purpose is to make good homes possible for more people. These findings bring into focus what that needs to mean in practice - a place where people feel safe, secure and able to build for the future.”
