A fifth of UK adults consider a high-speed internet connection to be an increasingly important factor in choosing a home and are prepared to pay more for a home with a good broadband connection, recent research by Halifax has found.
A similar number (18%) say it’s already been a consideration when moving home in the past, and almost a quarter (23%) would now be likely to negotiate a lower rent or sale price when taking on a property with a poor broadband connection.
The UK’s demand for good broadband connectivity is further highlighted by the fact that more than a quarter (26%) of people claim to have suffered with slow or an unreliable internet connection in their current home. This is now the second most annoying issue we could experience in our own home (15% agree), behind noisy neighbours (55%), but ahead of poor mobile phone signal (7%), leaky taps (4%), and creaky floorboards (3%).
The research also found evidence of an age divide on the issue, with 29% of those aged 25-34 saying they had considered the quality of broadband when moving home in the past, compared to 10% of those aged 55-75. At the same time, 16-24 year olds are most likely to say they would pay more for a home with good broadband (25%), compared to just 16% of those aged 45-54.
“Alongside outside space, private parking, and good transport links, a strong broadband signal is fast becoming a very significant feature of looking for a new home,” explained Craig McKinlay, Halifax. “As superfast broadband is now the norm at work and on our mobile phones, there is a growing expectation that we should be able to enjoy a good broadband connection at home too.”
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