The HomeOwner Survey 2019 - Concerns, trends and how we feel about our homes

Our look at the barriers to home improvements finds 8 out of 10 homeowners hit a brick wall with renovation plans and a third pay cash to avoid VAT. 79% of homeowners have faced obstacles that delayed home renovations. The main obstacle is difficulty finding a reliable builder (42%). VAT is a real barrier with almost a quarter (23%) of homeowners deterred from carrying out improvements because of the cost of VAT. Meanwhile, nearly a third (31%) of UK homeowners pay cash to avoid the cost of VAT on home repairs and improvements. Do our homes play a role in our mental health? The home contributes to the well-being for 9 in 10 people. 87% of UK homeowners and renters say aspects of their home contribute to their positive mental health. The top aspects of our home that contribute to well-being include an appealing outside space; feeling secure; nice neighbours; good natural light and no night time noise or disturbances. The HomeOwners Alliance 2019 Homeowner Survey was made possible through sponsorship by BLP Insurance, leading provider of housing warranty insurance and Resi .co.uk , the UK’s leading architecture practice for everyday homeowners The 7 th annual Homeowner survey was conducted online by YouGov. This year we interviewed 2195 UK adults of which 1337 were homeowners. Figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+). Fieldwork was conducted 14-15 th March 2019.