Young renters’ priorities when moving home
- Setting up WiFi, arranging utilities and unpacking are the top priorities for renters when moving
- 87% are keen to get to know their local area once they move in
- 84% only speak to their landlord when absolutely necessary
- On average, since moving in renters have spoken to their landlord fewer than four times
- Changes people put off asking their landlord include replacing broken appliances (26%), fixing draughts (22%), and installing a smart meter (22%)
- 84% agree having a smart meter in their rented home would help them to monitor their energy usage
New research has revealed that internet connection is so important to Millennials and Gen Z that a quarter prioritise sorting it out on the day they move in.
Other priorities include registering with a GP, updating addresses and giving the new home a good clean, according to a poll of 1,000 renters aged 18-35.
However, these things also all feature in the top 10 list of tasks younger renters dislike sorting out the most. Noting down all the imperfections in the property and taking energy meter readings also feature on the list.
Smart meters send meter readings to energy suppliers automatically, taking manual meter readings off renters’ to do lists. More than eight in 10 (84 per cent) of renters also say they would find it useful to have a smart meter installed to stay on top of their energy usage – but 46 per cent believe they need a landlord’s permission, which is incorrect.
The research was commissioned by Smart Energy GB, and is released alongside a video with comedian Fern Brady, who shares her own experiences of renting, having lived in over 20 rental properties since leaving home.
In a property-themed quiz dubbed 'Renty Questions', Fern shares some of her most colourful stories of renting, along with things she would have found helpful when moving home.
She said: “Like a lot of millennials, I had some pretty interesting experiences of renting during my teens and twenties. Whether it was living in a utility room when I first moved to London, or moving house almost every year.
“It can be even more difficult to keep track of things with lots of new housemates coming and going.
“I didn’t know how useful tech, such as smart meters and apps that split bills could be in helping to divide costs and manage finances. It would have saved a lot of disagreements over final bills!”
When looking for a new home, top priorities for renters are the monthly cost of rent, the safety of the area and the size of home.
It also emerged that almost nine in ten (87 per cent) are keen to get to know their local area once they move in – by finding the nicest parks for a walk and sampling the best places to eat.
And one in 10 renters visit their local pub and takeaway on day one in their new place, while 12 per cent prioritise visiting new local restaurants and coffee shops.
Others enjoy discovering new gyms, sports teams and meeting new people in the area.
But 36 per cent say it’s more important for them to be close to work than for their home to have a good EPC energy efficiency score.
The research, carried out via OnePoll, revealed more than eight in 10 (84 per cent) would only speak to their landlord when it’s absolutely necessary – averaging fewer than four conversations with the homeowner.
Among the changes people put off asking their landlord are replacing broken appliances (26 per cent), fixing draughts (22 per cent), and installing a smart meter (22 per cent).
Victoria Bacon from Smart Energy GB added:
“In today’s tech-driven world, it’s interesting to see that so many young people feel the need to sort out the WiFi the day they move somewhere new.
“Moving home can be a real hassle, but if your property has a smart meter installed, you won’t need to worry about taking meter readings.
"If the property doesn’t have one and the energy bill is in your name, you can ask your energy supplier to upgrade your old analogue energy meter. If your landlord pays the bills, ask them if they would be happy to arrange an installation.”
TOP 10 PRIORITIES YOUNG RENTERS HAVE WHEN MOVING HOME
- Setting up the Wi-Fi
- Setting up the utilities (gas/water/electricity)
- Unpacking everything
- Changing address with your bank and other accounts
- Giving it a good clean
- Registering with a new GP or dentist
- Buying new furniture or decorative items
- Forwarding post to your new address
- Going for a walk to explore the area
- Getting the best energy deal
TOP 10 THINGS RENTERS DISLIKE DOING MOST WHEN THEY MOVE HOME
- Changing my address on all the accounts I’ve signed up to and banks etc.
- Unpacking
- Giving it a good clean
- Sorting out the Wi-Fi
- Taking readings for all utilities
- Registering with a GP
- Taking pictures of imperfections around the property that were here previously
- Finding the best energy prices
- Changing my address with the Post Office so my post is forwarded to my new address
- Registering with a dentist