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TODAY'S OTHER NEWS

UK is fourth happiest place in Europe when it comes to satisfaction with homes

The UK has been ranked the fourth happiest place in Europe when it comes to satisfaction with our homes, according to the GoodHome Report, the largest study of its kind ever conducted.

The research, which included a survey of 13,489 people across Europe, asking them a series of questions about happiness and the home, found that the Netherlands ranks number one for satisfaction with their homes, followed by Germany in second and Denmark in third.

Poor natural light, bad air quality and a lack of space were revealed as some of main reasons Brits are not satisfied with their living situation.

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The study also revealed that despite the trope of location being everything, people viewed having access to green space as more important than where they live.

The report found our homes account for 15% of our total happiness – with health and fitness scoring 14%, and what we earn just 6%.

The report was created with independent thinktank The Happiness Research Institute, who stated that whether people lived in the city or countryside, it ‘made no significant difference to happiness.’

The report also shows that whether we own or rent has little impact on our happiness.

Meik Wiking, CEO of the Happiness Research Institute, commented: “Our research shows that often we look for happiness in the wrong places. “Sometimes what we think makes us happy and what really makes us happy are not the same - the report builds on the belief that our homes shape our lives.

“They are where we find comfort and safety, where we let our guard down and connect with our loved ones.

“In a world demanding more and more of our attention, our homes are where we can retreat and seek refuge.”

Home happiness levels across Europe (score out of 10):

1. Netherlands - 7.69

2. Germany - 7.60

3. Denmark - 7.47

4. UK - 7.40

5. Spain - 7.22

6. France - 7.17

7. Romania - 7.11

8. Italy - 7.02

9. Poland - 6.92

10. Russia - 6.57

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  • James B

    I’m sure shelter can manufacture some figures to contradict this from a few hard core tenants

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    ''Hard core tenants'' the very tenants good landlords don't want at any price.

     
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    Shelter were commenting on a TV news article that was reporting the abominable state that social housing was in.
    The condition of the properties featured were extremely poor and issues hadn't been addressed on some for over three years.
    One can only imagine what punishment would be inflicted on a private landlord if he or she let a property in such circumstances ?
    Instead of going after the PRS perhaps they should concentrate on the real villains that are almost 'bullet proof' when it comes to accountability.

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    • 11 June 2019 09:41 AM

    With all the additional cost burdens being imposed on the PRS there is precious little remaining to keep properties in good order.
    Massive LL fraud is occurring with the EPC issue.
    I don't blame the LL at all.
    The EPC is useless and yet it has the ability to make thousands of tenants homeless.
    Govt doesn't seem to understand that LL have reached the point of no return
    They are now getting out of the game.
    It is just a trickle currently but as LL wise up to what S24 will do to them there will be a torrent of LL selling up.
    It would be interesting to know how long it took back in the 60 and 70's for LL to abandon the market which eventually led to Rachman!!
    I have an idea S24 will make such abandonment a lot faster process.
    With the very real threat of Corbyn the last thing I would be doing is buying more rental property.
    Overnight he would jack up CGT on rental properties and then rent controls.
    Bet all the BTR merchants will be squealing.
    Just watch their share values collapse when it is realised with rent controls there won't be very many dividends forthcoming!!!
    I hope I'm out of the AST lettings game before Corbyn is PM!!
    I want to be completely liquid with cash.
    No way will it be in a bank.
    A suitcase will do it.
    Cyprus looms large in my memory.
    No way will I have any bank restricting my daily cash withdrawals.
    I reckon safe companies should do some good business as the threat of Corbyn becomes ever more real!!

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