Calls to bring back the bungalow

The Homeowners Alliance is urging builders to create more single-storey homes after recent research suggested there is a major shortage.

The organisation says only one per cent of registered new homes are bungalows, reflecting the lack of choice available to those wishing to downsize or retire.

Its latest research reveals that 1.2 million UK homeowners aged 55 and over have put plans to move on hold in the past two years, despite initially considering a move.

This is often because of the stress and upheaval involved, the lack of suitable homes, and a reluctance to leave their community behind.

Older homeowners are more likely than the average homeowner to cite the following barriers:

*Stress of moving – 41 per cent (compared with 35 per cent of all homeowners)

*Shortage of suitable homes – 34 per cent (vs 27 per cent of all homeowners).

*Not wanting to move away from friends and neighbours – 23 per cent (vs 16 per cent of all homeowners)

The shortage of bungalows was also highlighted, with 38 per cent of homeowners aged 55 and over saying they would prefer a bungalow for their next move, making this form of housing the most popular choice among this group.

However, builders are turning away from single-storey properties, as National House Building Council (NHBC) data shows they made up 11 per cent of new homes in 1990, but just one per cent in 2024.

While house prices for older homeowners (23 per cent vs 35 per cent of all homeowners) and moving costs (24 per cent vs 28 per cent of all homeowners) are also top factors, they appear to be less of a barrier for older homeowners than for younger homeowners.

Paula Higgins, CEO of the Homeowners Alliance, said the organisation was making a call to bring back the bungalow.

“Our research shows that too many older homeowners feel stuck in homes that no longer work for them but struggle to find an appropriate alternative,” she said.

“There is a huge demand for bungalows, but hardly any get built anymore.

“With the UK’s rapidly aging population, we hope the government’s long-promised housing strategy looks at a better range of retirement housing, including single-storey solutions.

“No one wants to make their life more stressful and, as we age, the prospect of a house move can be overwhelming.

“Buying and selling a home is too uncertain, takes too long, and is too expensive.

“In the meantime, here at the Homeowners Alliance, we’ll continue to provide all the advice and services together in one place to simplify home moves so people can cut costs, avoid the pitfalls, and move with confidence.”