Upstairs downstairs: brits bringing bedrooms to the bottom floor

• Over half of UK estate agents see increase in downstairs bedroom conversions
• 13 per cent of Britons have either recently created, or plan to create an extra bedroom downstairs
• Three-quarters of converters expect their property to be more valuable as a result
• Yet only a fifth of estate agents would expect this to increase the property value

New research from Churchill home insurance reveals a growing trend for converting downstairs rooms into bedrooms in British residential properties. In a survey of UK estate agents1, over half (56 per cent) said they have increasingly seen new downstairs bedrooms being created in the past few years.

More than one in ten2 (11 per cent) of Brits say they have either recently created, or plan to create, an extra bedroom on the ground floor, with nearly three-quarters (74 per cent) of those who have converted or are planning to convert, expecting the value of their property to increase as a result.

However, they could be extremely disappointed as only a fifth (21 per cent) of estate agents say that converted sleeping space on the ground floor adds to the value of a home. They see the main effect is a rise in potential rental income, with an average increase of 16 per cent for swapping living space for an extra bedroom.

Although nearly a quarter (23 per cent) of bedroom converters say that increased property value is the primary reason for the change, the reasons for this trend are not just financial.

Many homeowners are looking to help out their family, by making best use of the space they already have in their home. A fifth (21 per cent) wanted to create a spare bedroom for occasional guests and 13 per cent wanted the extra space for an adult son or daughter who was moving back home. Over one in 10 (11 per cent) converted sleeping space on the ground floor for their elderly relatives and an equal amount converted it for someone who was unable to climb the stairs, or for making extra room for a child that had outgrown their previous bedroom.

Martin Scott, head of Churchill home insurance, said: “Putting in a downstairs bedroom can be a very practical solution for homeowners, whether they may be finding space for a growing child, helping to care for elderly relatives or making visiting friends feel more comfortable. The cost of converting a downstairs room is likely to be significantly less than moving home, so whilst high property prices continue to be an issue, homeowners are making sensible changes to what they already own.”

“Increases in the number of bedrooms or occupants within the household could affect Home insurance cover and policy limits. Therefore, it is important homeowners make their insurer aware of changes to their properties.”

ENDS

For further information, please contact:

Calum MacDougall

Citigate Dewe Rogerson

Tel: 0207 282 2847

E-mail: Calum.MacDougall@citigatedr.co.uk
 

Claire Foster 
Churchill PR Manager
Tel: 0165 183 1672 
Mob: 07900 217 264 
Email: claire.foster@directlinegroup.co.uk

Notes to editors:

1. Survey of 180 UK estate agents undertaken March 2014
2. Research commissioned by Churchill and carried out by ICM Research. ICM interviewed a random sample of 2,008 adults aged 18+ in GB (including 1,616 respondents with downstairs facilities) online between 30th May –1st June 2014.  Surveys were conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults.  ICM is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.  Further information at www.icmresearch.com
    

Churchill

Founded in 1989, Churchill is now one of the UK's leading providers of general insurance, offering car, home, travel and pet insurance cover over the phone or on-line.

Churchill general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. 

Churchill and U K Insurance Limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.  

Customers can find out more about Churchill products or get a quote by calling 0800 200300 or visiting www.churchill.com