A new survey of 1,000 Brits from Yopa, commissioned by Metro, reveals 81% of homeowners have avoided spending time in their gardens this summer due to the weather. For now, south-facing gardens continue to be the preferred orientation of choice for UK homeowners, attracting house price premiums of over £20,000 on average. However, the insights suggest our love affair with suntraps is on the rocks.
Premium at Risk
Almost one in five Brits (18%) think the value of south-facing gardens will fade due to hotter summers over the next decade — a prediction backed by estate agents. Yopa surveyed UK homeowners to find out how the recent heatwaves have impacted people’s taste for south-facing gardens – long prized for benefiting from maximum direct sunshine compared to a garden that faces north, east, or west. The latest listings data shows that properties in England with south-facing gardens currently command an average price premium of 7.1% which, at the current average house price of £291,445 (in England), is equivalent to £20,689.
Too Hot to Handle
When asked about the biggest garden-related downside of incredibly high summer temperatures, the most common response was that it becomes too hot to sit outside. This was followed by the strain the heat puts on lawns and plants, the lack of available shade, and the higher water bills that come from trying to keep gardens alive and cool off using paddling pools. On social media, Brits have also been sharing the perils of living in a property with a south-facing garden or south-facing bedrooms. 'I feel like all the liquid in my body is slowly evaporating,' said the owner of a south-facing flat on a Reddit thread about the subject. Opinions on the platform were fairly mixed, with some saying the heatwaves have changed their opinions of south-facing gardens, while others think it’s a lot of fuss over 'a few days per year'.
Social Media Backlash
Over on Instagram, renovation blogger @the_fram_house shared a video about the benefits of their north-facing garden and was inundated with responses from jealous followers. 'I have a south-facing garden and it is unbearable on days over 25 degrees,' said one, Colin Peters. Another follower, Lucille Grace, added: 'I’ve got a south west-facing garden [with] my bedroom and kitchen at the back of the house. This week has been grim.' While Steph Pearce added: 'We used to have a south-facing garden and it was horrendous, way too hot with no shade and our kitchen would get so hot due to the velux windows and bifold doors! Now we don’t, [we’re] so much happier and use the garden more.'
Enduring Appeal for Now
Despite these drawbacks, 82% of those surveyed still said a south-facing garden would be their preferred option – for now – and 28% would happily pay the house price premium attached in order to secure one. But this might not be the case should temperatures continue to climb over the coming years and UK heatwaves become increasingly common. Whilst one in 10 of those surveyed said they believe a south-facing garden will continue to hold its added value over the next decade, almost one in five think otherwise.
Estate Agent Insight
Commenting on the findings, Verona Frankish, chief executive officer at estate agents Yopa, said: 'South-facing gardens have long been one of the most sought-after features amongst homebuyers, and it’s easy to see why. More hours of sunshine means greater enjoyment of outdoor space, whether that’s entertaining, gardening or simply making the most of the warmer months, and that enduring appeal has naturally translated into a house price premium. However, with temperatures already reaching record highs this year, many homeowners have found themselves actively avoiding their gardens. So, whilst a south-facing garden remains the orientation of choice for many buyers today, a changing climate and increasingly frequent heatwaves could start to diminish their appeal.'
