Millions of us are resorting to getting rid of beloved possessions during house moves as high property prices mean that space and storage is at a premium
Millions of Brits are being forced to chuck away personal possessions which they later regret, as we continually outgrow our homes.
Soaring property prices mean people can’t afford the space they need, leaving homeowners struggling to store everyday belongings and making moving house more stressful than ever.
Almost a quarter of Brits asked (23%) said there is a lack of suitable homes on the market, according to new figures. Just over 1 in 8 (13%) say that one of the biggest barriers to moving homes is price per square ft, reflecting a decrease in space available compared to cost.
The vast majority (81%) say they lack storage space in their homes, and around half of Brits have stopped themselves buying personal items simply because they lacked space to store them.
The findings from Access Self Storage, who surveyed 2,015 UK adults, also show that a lack of space in a new home makes the moving process more stressful for many people. More than a quarter (26%) say that finding space and working out where to put things is the most challenging part about moving home.
For others (21%), knowing where to store belongings when moving between homes is the most stressful element of a move, and 43% say unpacking and getting organised is the biggest challenge.
Almost half (46%) say they regretted decisions to part with personal belongings whilst moving homes, while 26% try to take everything they own with them during a move.
A fifth of people feel under pressure and almost a third (28%) wish they could have more time to decide whether to keep or throw away items when moving house.
Poor storage space was the number one factor that would put house hunters off buying a property (38%), more than excessive clutter (35%) and poor décor (21%).
Having suitable storage space in homes is also crucial for sellers, as well as buyers.
UK Property Expert, Jonathan Rolande, is working with Access Self Storage and said “With house prices remaining high, many buyers are having to compromise on space, and that’s having a real impact on how they live. When you’re moving under pressure, it’s easy to make quick decisions about your belongings that you later regret.
“The best advice is not to rush. Decluttering doesn’t have to mean throwing treasured possessions away, using storage while you move can give you the time and space to make the right decisions, making the whole process far less stressful.”
Jonathan’s top tips
- Don’t rush. The best moves are planned, not panicked. Think about what you actually need before you start scrolling Rightmove.
- Take back control. It’s your move, not your family’s, not your friends’, not your stuff’s. Make decisions on your terms.
- Declutter doesn’t mean ditch. You don’t have to throw away your prized record collection – just get it out of the way while you sell. Storage is your friend here.
Jan-Albert Fourie, General Manager of Operations at Access Self Storage, said “Our research highlights just how much a lack of space is shaping people’s lives, from stopping them buying things they want to forcing difficult decisions during a house move. It’s telling that so many people regret parting with personal belongings simply because they ran out of room.”