Half of Brits still living at home with mum and dad are fed up with their living situation – moaning about cramped space, rising tensions, and not being treated like adults.
A poll of 2,000 adults living with their parents found 36% of those frustrated feel like they have lost their independence, while 34% are tired of being judged by their folks. Another 33% say mum and dad interfere too much in their personal lives, and 29% admit it is tough to maintain relationships – romantic or otherwise – while they are still under the family roof.
The research, commissioned by Skipton Group for its Home Affordability Index, found that despite the gripes, seven in 10 have never had the chance to move out, leaving 51% feeling like they have lost their youth.
A separate study revealed that fewer than 10% of adults living at home can afford the average first-time buyer property in their area. In London, the East of England, and the South West, that figure drops to less than 1.5%.
Stacey Dickens from Skipton’s Home Affordability Index, said: “Aspiring first-time buyers would be forgiven for thinking of all the benefits of staying in the family home for longer when it comes to saving up to move out.
“You might save some money on reduced rent and bills, but the cost of buying or even just running a home are now so far removed from what many people can afford even this, and years of free laundry, Wi-Fi, and Sunday roasts don’t get you much closer to making it a reality.”
The poll also found that 29% are part of the ‘boomerang generation’ – adults who moved out but later returned home. Of these, nearly half (49%) have already stayed longer than planned, and a third (34%) now feel they’ve overstayed their welcome.
Nearly three in ten (29%) say saving for a deposit is taking much longer than expected, while a third admit their income is too low or unpredictable to pay rent elsewhere.
Still, 36% of adults living at home do pay rent, and 18% aren’t charged so they can save for a deposit. Nine in ten hope to fly the nest eventually, but 82% of those saving for a deposit say they’re still a long way off.
On average, they’ve managed to save just over £11,500, with more than half saying they’d feel ready to move if their income was more stable.
Stacey Dickens from Skipton Group added: “Living in the family home can be a lifeline for many young adults, especially when incomes are stretched, and the cost of living remains high.
“For some, it’s about easing financial pressure after a setback, while for others it’s a deliberate choice by parents to help their children build up savings for the future.
“And while intergenerational housing support is invaluable, it does highlight how challenging the housing market has become for first-time buyers.
“Young adults aren’t failing to ‘make the most’ of the situation; they’re caught in a system where even the most disciplined saving, combined with generous parental support, still doesn’t open the door for them to home ownership.
“The trade-off between financial prudence and personal freedom, coupled with knock-on delayed life milestones such as being fully independent, getting married or having a family, only emphasises how difficult things have become, and how it needs to change.”
TOP 15 FRUSTRATIONS FOR ADULTS LIVING AT HOME WITH PARENTS:
- Lack of personal space
- Limited freedom compared to living alone
- Tension or arguments over small things
- Feeling like I’ve lost my independence
- Feeling judged or criticised
- Parent/s getting involved in my personal life
- Having to justify my choices
- Constant questions or check-ins
- Being treated like I’m younger than I am
- Feeling like I’m being parented despite being an adult
- Not feeling like an equal adult in the home
- Difficulty maintaining adult relationships (e.g. romantic, friendships)
- Different standards around cleanliness or tidiness
- Struggling to set boundaries
- Feeling guilty spending money when it could be used to move out
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