New Homes week runs from 27th February – 3rd March and is a celebration of new build homes, the builders and owners.

In this article, we look at the benefits of new homes and how they can sometimes be a solution when finding a home that meets accessibility requirements.

No repairs and lower maintenance costs

In late 2022, the government announced that the M4(2) accessible and adaptable standard would become the regulatory baseline for new housing. This includes step free access, increased circulation space and improved access to toilet facilities on the ground floor, making them an obvious choice for people with mobility issues.

It can also be easier to plan and install accessible features such as lifts or a hydrotherapy pool in a new build rather than retrofit them to an existing home, which may have limited space or be a listed building.

New build homes are also covered by warranties such as the 10-year structural warranty from the National House Building Council which protects you against problems with things like the foundations of the house or the 2-year defect warranty for issues such as leaky windows.

Safety and security

Older or disabled people are often at greater risk of becoming a victim of crime, so the security of a home is of paramount importance.

In many instances, new build homes are safer and more secure than older properties, with windows and doors fitted with high security locks and many housebuilders providing alarms or at least providing the necessary wiring so you can have the alarm fitted later. As well as making you feel safer in your new home this can also reduce your insurance premiums.

They are also required to use fire resistant materials and have linked smoke alarms to alert residents of a fire immediately and efficiently.

Lower energy bills

The cost-of-living crisis is having a major impact on many families living with disabilities who need to run life-saving equipment such as hoists and breathing equipment, tend to do more washing and cleaning and who need to keep a home consistently warm.

Therefore finding a home that is functional, safe and energy efficient can be vital for many people.

New build homes are generally more energy efficient that older homes, with double glazing, draft proofing and insulation installed as standard. Not only will this help save money on energy bills, it was also mean a lower carbon footprint which is fast becoming a priority for many people as we help the UK to reach NetZero by 2050.

Parking

Many new builds come with dedicated parking directly outside the home with shallow gradients, which offer easy access to and from the home.

More accessible housing is needed

As we have previously discussed, an accessible home has a wide and far reaching value for families and individuals living with disabilities. Adequate adaptations and features can improve mobility, wellbeing and wider physical health as well as enabling people to live independently for longer in their own home, near to their support network.

In the UK there is a nationwide shortage of accessible housing, and new build accessible homes are urgently needed. Research from Habinteg revealed that 104,000 people are waiting for an accessible or adaptable home and a recent government consultation on raising accessibility standards hasn’t gone far enough to meet the housing needs of people living with disabilities.

At France + Associates, we are experts in future proofing homes, and design homes that are adaptable to any possible changes, to enable you to stay in your home for as long as possible.

For more information about France + Associates, please do not hesitate to contact our team: 01484 960560 | admin@franceandassociates.co.uk.