6.5 million UK homeowners have regrets about the home they bought

• Underestimating costs: 29% didn’t budget for the full costs of buying or renovating.

• Location concerns: 27% are unhappy with where they bought.

• Compromises on space: 17% regret settling on size, number of bedrooms, or lack of outdoor space.

• Buying a new build: 10% now wish they hadn’t.
  

On budgeting specifically, 16% of 18–34-year-old homeowners wish they had accounted for additional buying costs (like legal fees and surveys) and 16% say they didn’t plan adequately for renovation expenses.

Londoners lead the way 

Regionally, homeowners in London are more likely to have regrets about their property purchase than in other areas of the UK. Half (51%) of London homeowners say they would now make different choices.

• 23% -nearly one quarter - regret not budgeting for all the costs of buying or renovating their property.

• 15% of London homeowners regret compromising on property features. This includes things like size, the number of bedrooms or outside space. 

• 10% of London homeowners regret buying leasehold homes - more than double the UK average (4% of homeowners overall).
  

Commenting on the research, HomeOwners Alliance CEO Paula Higgins said:

“Buying a home is one of the most significant and emotional decisions people make - and our research shows many are left feeling they got it wrong. Younger buyers, in particular, are being hit hardest by the realities of the market: high prices, hidden costs, and the pressure to compromise.

In London, these challenges are even more acute. Sky-high property prices mean buyers are often stretching their budgets to the limit and compromising to get on the ladder. Add to that the pressure of fast-moving deals and a competitive market, and it’s no wonder that Londoners are more likely to feel they made the wrong decision.

At HomeOwners Alliance, we’re here to change that. Our site offers insights, checklists and calculators - such as moving costs - to help first-time buyers research, budget and understand the full costs involved. We highlight common pitfalls to avoid and offer comparison services so buyers can shop around for the best deals on mortgages, conveyancing, surveys and more.”

On regrets and whether buying a home is really worth it, Paula added:

It’s worth remembering that even with these regrets, owning a home brings long-term stability and financial security. You’re building equity, not paying someone else’s mortgage, and you have a roof over your head that you can call your own. 

Most homeowners adapt and grow into their homes - they decorate, renovate, build equity, and make the space work for them. With time, a house becomes more than a transaction; it becomes a home. 

Of course, for some homeowners - particularly leaseholders facing unaffordable ground rents, new build homeowners struggling to get problems fixed or facing un-adopted estate charges, or those trapped by the fallout of the cladding scandal - the sense of regret goes deeper. These are real injustices that leave people feeling trapped. At HomeOwners Alliance, we continue to press the government and campaign for fairness in housing and give a voice to those let down by a broken system.”