The merits of choosing apartments over houses to tackle the current shortage in the UK

21/05/2018 06:57


The housing shortage in the UK has reached a new high recently, with the population continuing to grow by half a million people each year and the amount of homes being built by developers failing to keep up with the demand.


There is a suggestion though, that this lack in affordable living opportunities isn’t down to slow building or the number of houses, but is instead a result of the mindset of British people who aspire to live in houses instead of apartments. It’s true, in the UK only 14% of people live in apartments. In stark contrast to this, 66% of people in Spain choose to purchase apartments.


Why is this, and what can be done to encourage the people of Britain to choose apartment living over their dream of owning a large house?



The reasons for resistance


When you think of apartments in Spain, France, or any European country besides Britain for that matter, the connotations are always fairly positive. You picture large balconies in sun-soaked cities with plenty of communal areas that encourage children to play together and promote a strong sense of community.

Unfortunately, similar things can’t be said for Britain, where flats are often associated with areas stricken with poverty and crime.

There is also the issue of public safety. The Grenfell Tower tragedy in 2017, which saw 23 residents of the tower block die, has highlighted social injustices and raised concerns about how safe high-rise tower blocks actually are.


For millennials just starting families who may have spent their time at university living in flats with friends, purchasing a house is the next logical step and choosing to stay in a block of flats may not feel like the progress they desire.



The merits of apartment living


  • It’s a more sustainable, high-density living solution- something that is important in the UK. The country has the same population as France but less than half its land. Typical housing isn’t a sustainable choice long-term.
  • Apartments have much lower maintenance costs, meaning that individuals that choose to live in apartments could pay off their mortgages quicker. This would help to tackle the UK household debt, which is currently one of the highest in the world

While in theory, this idea sounds plausible, attractive, and sure to benefit the economy, if it is to work well the right steps need to be taken. The UK must rely on its resources that include capital and technology, to make this living environment seem more attractive to young people and families ready to buy. 

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