Number of homeowners finding it ‘very difficult’ to manage on current income tripled since 2018, new survey finds

The number of homeowners reporting that they were “finding it very difficult” to manage on their present income has tripled since 2018, according to a new survey.

The proportion rose from 2pc in 2018 to 6pc in 2023. A higher proportion of respondents expected to experience “some” or “a lot” of financial sacrifice in 2023 compared to 2018.

The latest National Study of Housing Experiences, Attitudes and Aspirations in Ireland was released today by The Housing Agency.

It measures homeowners’ satisfaction levels with their homes and neighbourhoods and investigates their aspirations for future housing.

Homeowners in Connacht and Ulster are happiest with their homes, according to the study.

A total of 58pc of respondents said they were “very satisfied” with their home, compared to 51pc of homeowners in Dublin and in Leinster, excluding Dublin, and 50pc in Munster.

In contrast, Leinster, excluding Dublin, had the highest proportion of householders of the four regions “dissatisfied” or “very dissatisfied” with their homes.

Over 1,200 householders were surveyed in 2023, as part of the series, which looked at a wide range of questions on overall housing and neighbourhood satisfaction; the condition, maintenance and function of dwellings; housing experiences and journeys; affordability, and aspirations for future housing.

More than half of homeowners had already, or planned to, undertake energy efficiency measures in their home. Attic and wall insulation were the top two interventions made.

Nearly five times as many householders believed their neighbourhood to be changing for the better than believed it to be changing for the worse.

Owners reported higher levels of satisfaction on every aspect of their dwelling compared to renters.

Difficulties with keeping the home warm was a problem for 34pc of renters compared to 17pc of owners.

Renters reported a range of other problems including damp or leaks in walls or the roof at 22pc, rot in windows, doors or floors at 16pc, noise from road traffic at 20pc, and noise from neighbouring homes at 14pc.

Shortage of space was a challenge for 26pc of renters compared to 12pc of owners.

Almost half of Dublin householders in employment worked from home post-pandemic at 48pc, with 91pc having a suitable workspace there.

Almost three in five renters reported their experience of renting to be “positive” or “very positive”. However, there were differences between social and private renters.

Social renters expressed higher positivity about their rental experiences at 65pc than private renters at 55pc.

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