The Rise of Sustainable Housing in the UK Property Market

Over the last number of years, we have seen the UK property market shift and change with the public's preferences. One of the major changes we have seen is the shift in demand for sustainable and energy-efficient housing. More and more people are opting for homes with sustainable and energy-efficient features or even retrofitting their current homes.

You maybe wondering why this shift in preference has occurred, and it can be attributed to various reasons:

1.    Housing demand is continuing to outweigh supply in the UK property market. This has resulted in higher house prices and making affordability tough, especially for first-time buyers. Sustainable houses offer the opportunity for long-term cost savings from their energy efficiency and government incentives; Therefore, sustainable housing can be a more financially attractive choice.

2.    Consumers are becoming more aware of how their actions imprint on the environment. Therefore, a house which will ultimately benefit the environment is a far more attractive prospect than traditional properties.

3.    The cost-of-living crisis is one of the main contributors to the rise of demand for sustainable housing features. People are eager to find ways to reduce their monthly electricity bills as prices continue to rise. Therefore, sustainable housing, which boasts energy-efficient features, is becoming more popular as a result.  

Sustainable Property Features 

There are many ways a property can feature sustainable design. If you are intending on purchasing a new property or want to update your current home, here are some features to consider:

1 - Energy-Efficient Design: There are lots of ways that a property can increase its energy efficiency. Take solar panels, for example; they use a sustainable resource to generate electricity and reduce energy costs. Another feature is the property's insulation. If a property has been insulated appropriately, it will minimise the heat lost in winter and gained in summer, leaving you less reliant on heating and cooling systems. If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option, LED bulbs are a great feature to consider.

2 - Water-Saving Technologies: A property can include water conservation features that reduce water wastage and water usage bills. This could be something like using low-flow water fixtures in all your taps or incorporating rainwater harvesting as a sustainable option for activities like flushing toilets. 

3. - Smart Home Systems: As technology in this area continues to develop, we are benefitting from some amazingly innovative systems like Smart Homes. We are seeing these across both new and existing properties. The aim of these systems is to allow you to monitor and manage various functions of your house automatically, which is not only convenient but also helpful in reducing your energy consumption. Here are some examples of how these systems can work:

-       They can determine the most appropriate temperature for your house based on the weather and the occupancy at any given time.

-       The lighting of your property can be adjusted automatically depending on the time of the day.

-       It can monitor your property's air quality and adjust ventilation to ideal levels.

4.    Electric Charging Ports: Electric Vehicles are becoming more and more popular across the UK. In fact, according to Zap-Map, there are 1,200,000 fully electric cars in the UK as of August 2024. Properties which have charging stations are making electric vehicles more accessible and helping secure a sustainable future. In addition, it will be an additional selling point if you ever decide to sell.

These are just a selection of some of the features you might expect to see in a sustainable property. We would recommend seeking advice from a sustainability professional or consultant if this sounds like something you'd be interested in. They will be able to provide you with the knowledge and experience to evaluate a property, find hidden opportunities, offer recommendations and help you navigate all the necessary regulations.

Advantages of Sustainable Features for Property Owners 

Living in a property that boasts sustainable design features not only benefits the environment but also offers a unique opportunity to improve your quality of life and financial stability.

• Cost Savings: It's clear that sustainable housing can help you save in the long term. It allows you to save money each month on utility bills, which will help you create a stable financial future.

• Increased Property Values and Market Appeal: As demand for sustainable properties increases, investing in these features is a very strategic move. Often coming with green certifications and features like solar panels, they tend to gain a higher market value and attract more potential buyers. This gives you a competitive advantage when it comes time to sell. 

• Quality of Life: Sustainable properties are more likely to provide you with a healthier and more convenient environment than traditional homes. An optimal internal   environment thanks to smart home systems, reduced noise from its insulation and reduced financial worry from reduced energy bills, it's evident that a sustainable home offers the potential to improve your quality of life.

Challenges and Considerations of Sustainable Housing 

Although there are some great benefits that you can gain, there remains challenged which can deter the wider uptake of sustainable housing. 

• Higher Initial Costs: The initial cost of implementing these systems and features can be quite costly. Compared to traditional methods, its prices can be daunting, especially for first-time buyers. This can make it a difficult investment when you're already on the costly journey to homeownership.

• Access to Labour and Expertise: Sustainable housing, although not being a new subject, is continuing to develop and grow. Therefore, finding skilled labour and expertise can be difficult, especially for new and emerging features. We hope that our dedicated service of helping those working in the energy industry gain the knowledge and qualifications will help overcome this gap and ensure a greener future across the UK. 

• Accessing Financial Support: Despite many financial incentives being made available to promote the uptake of sustainable housing, these can be difficult to navigate and access. They often require complex paperwork, strict eligibility criteria, and lengthy application processes, deterring people from accessing them.

As the UK property market continues to embrace sustainable housing, we expect to see its popularity continue to rise. While the initial cost of sustainable features may be higher, the long-term benefits deem it a worthwhile investment. To make an informed decision, we recommend spending time researching sustainable housing options and seeking professional advice. This will help you identify suitable properties, understand available incentives, and navigate the new world of sustainable living.

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We have partnered with We Buy Any House to produce this article.

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