Shropshire couples who are co-habiting to save on costs

A study conducted by Supplies For Candles surveyed more than 2,000 people, finding that nearly 30 per cent of co-habiting couples in Shropshire moved in sooner than they had intended to for financial reasons.

In comparison to other parts of the UK, Shropshire fell somewhere in the middle region, as the study found people living in north-westerly areas of the country are the most eager to save on living costs, where 41 per cent of co-habiting couples admit to moving in together earlier than they would like to save on living expenses – whereas Wales was found to have the least proportion of couples co-habiting for financial reasons, with only 16 per cent admitting they rushed into living together.

This comes after house prices in Shropshire dropped in October, although buyers in Mid Wales will have to pay slightly more.

Shropshire saw its house prices decline 0.2 per cent, although still a comparatively small reduction compared to the 4.5 per cent increase over the past 12 months.

Prices in Powys have risen sharply over the last 12 months by 11.2 per cent, including a 3.3 per cent rise in October.

Across the West Midlands, property prices have risen by 3.8 per cent in the last year. The region outperformed the UK as whole, which saw the average property value increase by 2.7 per cent.

Slowdown

Frances Clacy, research analyst at estate agents Savills, said: “House prices across the UK increased by an average of 2.7 per cent in the 12 months to October 2018, according to the latest ONS house price index.

"This annual growth figure represents a slowdown when compared to last month.

"We are continuing to see house price growth slow because of the uncertainty surrounding the UK’s negotiations for leaving the EU, as well as tighter lending criteria and increases to mortgage regulation which mean it’s harder for buyers to borrow against their incomes."

The survey also found that more than half of people in the UK, 54 per cent, believe that rent and bills should be split equally – but that this can cause issues if one partner earns considerably more or less than the other.

When asked what the biggest source of friction is for newly co-habiting couples, the results show that needing your own space came top of the list, with 33 per cent of them saying it was their biggest issue.

This was followed by money at 25 per cent, eating habits and sleeping habits both at 16.7 per cent, and cleanliness at 8.3 per cent.

Nearly half of co-habiting couples, 42 per cent, admitted to seeing their friends less after moving, and more than half, 53 per cent admit they're not happy with the amount of date nights with their significant other since moving in together.