Millions of British families are crammed into accommodation that is too small for them, according to a new study by LV.
The insurer said that one in eight UK children now live in an overcrowded home after the average household lost some 11 sq ft of living space over the past three years.
Thousands of families are stuck in homes that are too small for them because they cannot afford to move. Many homeowners are forced to stretch the space they have by converting lofts, garages and even cupboards into living areas, according to the report.
Some 190,000 children have seen their bedrooms partitioned into two separate smaller spaces by their parents in an effort to create extra accommodation. 13% of these modifications are potentially unsafe, the study found.
One in fifty homeowners who have made modifications to their home in an attempt to create more space said they were confident that they had breached planning regulations to do so.
The number of children living in overcrowded accommodation has risen by 11% since 2008.
John ORoarke, managing director of LV Home Insurance, said, British families are feeling the squeeze as they are being forced to live in smaller homes than are suitable for their needs. High property prices have forced many families to remain in a house that they have outgrown and many are resorting to desperate measures to create extra space.”
“The research found that hundreds of thousands of families are now living with makeshift modifications, which could be illegal and also unsafe. Building regulations are designed to ensure that home modifications are safe and we urge all those considering modifying their home to ensure any changes they are planning to make meet regulation standards.
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