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20 September 2011 03:33
Homes
Shameful shoe box homes
A recent report shows that new houses in our region are becoming smaller.
The report, entitled Case for Space, released by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), shows that the average new three bedroom home in the East Midlands is around 9 square metres smaller than the basic recommended minimum size, leaving people across the region short-changed.
This squeeze on size is depriving families the space needed for children to do homework, adults to work from home, guests to stay and for members of the household to relax together.
The results based on a sample of 80 sites across England, seven of which were in the East Midlands, exclusively reveal:
· The floor area of the average new three bedroom home in the East Midlands at 87sq. m. is missing the space equivalent to an eat in kitchen for 2 people or a dining table and chairs for 4 people – the space that would allow a family to sit around the table to eat dinner together.
· The average single storey one bedroom home in the East Midlands is 47 square metres, which is 3 sq. m. short of the recommended minimum size – missing out on space equivalent to a single bed and a bedside table – the space that would allow guests to stay over or to accommodate an expanding family.
The report also exposes the lack of transparency existing around the size of UK homes, leaving consumers confused about the actual amount of space they are purchasing.
The RIBA’s Case for Space report has been released today to coincide with the launch of HomeWise, a new national housing campaign that includes the Future Homes Commission, a national inquiry into Britain’s homes led by the RIBA.
The RIBA’s HomeWise campaign calls for:
· Consumers to be HomeWise and demand better information from estate agents and house builders so they can choose the most ideal layout, size and design of their new home
· House builders, providers and estate agents to include the floor area of properties in their marketing material and indicative floor plans with furniture as well as the number of bedrooms
· Energy performance certificates - including floor area - to be provided up-front rather than only after contracts have been signed, which is too frequently the case
· The Government to work with the house building industry to produce an industry-wide voluntary agreement to ensure house builders publish data about the size and quality of new homes.
The HomeWise website also launched today at www.behomewise.co.uk features a series of online resources to help people to ask the right questions when choosing a home. The resources include The Nest Test – an easy-to-use online calculator that helps home seekers to find out what the floor area of their home should be according to the recommended standards: www.behomewise.co.uk
Speaking today, Harry Rich, RIBA Chief Executive said: “Our homes should be places that enhance our lives and well-being. However, as our new research confirms, thousands of cramped houses - shameful shoe box homes - are being churned out all over the country, depriving households of the space they need to live comfortably and cohesively. It seems clear that people have too little influence on the design, quality and size of homes available to them. The RIBA’s Homewise Campaign will work with households, architects, builders and policy-makers about how to build homes to meet or exceed the real needs of our population in the 21st century. This report is the beginning of that work. We hope to ask the right questions and we look forward to working together with consumers, housebuilders, government and many others as we seek the answers.”
The Future Homes Commission, a national inquiry chaired by business leader Sir John Banham will engage with people in their front rooms, town centres and online, to build a comprehensive picture about what people want and need from their homes.
Sir John Banham, Chair of the Future Homes Commission said: “We want to find out from people what they think about their homes and communities where new homes are being built as well as gain intelligence and research from industry about the housing market before making some recommendations about what might happen next. “It seems clear to me that there are some fundamental issues that need to be addressed to ensure we have more of the right kind of affordable homes in villages, towns and cities right across Britain. I am convinced that there is no conflict between addressing the current housing crisis effectively and protecting the countryside. But new thinking and financing approaches will be needed, which I hope and expect the Future Homes Commission will be able to provide.”
The full RIBA Case for Space report can be downloaded from www.behomewise.co.uk
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