Will high energy bills mean more people downsizing?

[flashbac]

For those underoccupying houses just for the sake of it, because they like the luxury of loads of space, because people come and stay every other Christmas or whatever. Energy rates are horrendously expensive now. Will more people think about downsizing do you think?

Doubt it. The cost of legal fees, stamp duty and general moving costs would account for years and years of inflated energy prices before you even take into account for the hassle.

Given the average stamp duty plus fees, it makes more sense to upgrade insulation and stay put.

The big privately owned houses. I doubt it. Maybe some who were thinking about it could be swayed. Maybe those single people in council houses will give up their tenancy and move into a 1 bed property if they can’t afford the additional bills

It's good to know that those with large houses on this thread aren't heating all their rooms though. Demand pushing up prices higher and all that.

For those who are interested, a third of homes are underoccupied (2018 stats from the British Housing Survey). Among owner occupied homes it's over half.

I wonder if it will make a difference to those in Social Housing, older couples or singles living in the 3/4 bed family home that they had when they had children at home but have all moved out and therefore living alone. Especially those living there on a very fixed income.

Cross posted with darbs

flash was under occupancy defined?

My mum lives in a four bed detached by herself. Me and my siblings will make sure she is warm whatever happens.

For those who are interested, a third of homes are underoccupied (2018 stats from the British Housing Survey). Among owner occupied homes it's over half

What does that mean? I like space. Based on occupants per bedrooms, my house would probably be classed as “under occupied” but if I knocked all the walls down to make one big bedroom, it wouldn’t.

Same square footage though.

It's good to know that those with large houses on this thread aren't heating all their rooms though. Demand pushing up prices higher and all that

Most people will be hearing their whole houses.

You sound like you have an agenda Op.

@Choppies

I bloody hope so hahaha. Far too many rich pensioners in this country hogging the five-beds

I don't think the rich are too worried about heating costs.

I think it will become a bigger consideration than it is now. I know my parents are vaguely considering downsizing as us three kids are very much moved out. I’ve been trying to convince them to move, increased costs will be another tick in the “move” column. But the impact that has on choices is inevitably going to depend on personal circumstances.

No ...I love my victoriana semi even tho its just us 2 now....we just using our log burner to warm back room and kitchen ....so very toasty in those rooms and just heat the other rooms a couple of times a week .....my partner gets free wood so no cost to us

I am starting to think about it but the actual move costs money,

Ten houses in our cul de sac only one has a family in it. Three are widowed folks the other six a mix of professional working couples two, retired couples three, Airbnb one.

Honestly with the cost and stress of moving they only come on the market whenever the nursing home beckons.

Also their families come to stay so they hang on for that reason

@Whitefire

Cross posted with darbs

flash was under occupancy defined?

More than 2 extra bedrooms.

Correction to my post above, not more than 2 bedrooms. 2 or more bedrooms.

@Whitefire

I wonder if it will make a difference to those in Social Housing, older couples or singles living in the 3/4 bed family home that they had when they had children at home but have all moved out and therefore living alone. Especially those living there on a very fixed income.

Those in under occupied local authority housing are often encouraged to take a smaller property to make space for families with children

Victorian 6 bed here. We’ll do as we’ve always done and not over heat it, wearing suitable clothes for the weather. Look to the 3-4 bed 24 degree shorts and vest top wearing/poorly insulated during February families for your cost/energy savings 👍

If more than two unoccupied bedrooms is the criteria, most five beds would be considered under occupied even with a family of four in them.

No but our 5 bedroom house has lots of separate rooms and we have a log burner in lounge so will put that on more. We have just cancelled direct debts etc that we're not required. Switched broadband supplier etc etc.

No. Because if they’re skint now then how are they even going to afford it? Plus, why would the people in the small houses give them up, would they all be buying bigger houses? Hopefully we’ll ride out this energy crisis and prices will fall in a couple of years (can you see I’m burying my head in the sand) and then the extra cost of electricity will be less than moving costs.

Downsize to where? My mum and her friends are all widows, each living alone in a three-bedroom house. All would happily live somewhere smaller (and without stairs) but there is nowhere available that's affordable and close to shops/doctors/etc. Paying higher gas bills is easier than paying tens of thousands of pounds to move to a smaller house or not having access to essential services.

@HereComesTheSum

No. Genuine question though- we're on a fixed tariff til 2023 and we've been told therefore the increases won't effect us - is this right? Not sure if I'm misunderstanding.

We’re on a fixed tariff and are paying an extra £25pcm plus my £82 a quarter work from home allowance into the electric account (we don’t have gas) We’re just worried that the £101pcm we’re paying won’t cover it so hope that a £500 buffer should help. Maybe you should consider doing something similar?

Cost of moving will outweigh the increase in bills by quite a way. Also moving takes time - by the time it all goes through the prices may have changed again.

If your moving costs for downsizing are going to be £5k
It’d be cheaper to get PV solar panels which would create 2500 kWh of electricity per year

Then spend another £5k on a battery and you can store the electric you make in the day

Average house usage is 2900

So add a few more panels on and you could see you electric costs drop

Average is 9 years to break even, but with costs rising that time will decrease

The utilities know this is the way many will go, thus their dramatic increase on the daily charge, that’s doubled so 100% increase in some cases