Children’s damage ‘devalues homes’
One in 10 parents claim damage caused by their children has reduced the value of their home, knocking an average of £2,000 off its price, a survey has showed
Six out of 10 parents with children under five said their offspring had damaged their home in some way, according to Direct Line Home Response 24.
Spilt food and stains on carpets was parents’ biggest gripe, with 78% saying damage had been caused in this way, while 76% said their children had drawn on the walls and 51% said they had scuffed them.
Just under half of parents said their children had ripped wallpaper, 35% claimed they had pulled up plants in the garden and the same proportion said they had damaged furniture.
One in 10 parents said their children had tampered with electrical equipment and 2% said they had broken a window.
But even if children are not damaging their home, 63% of parents said their children’s toys made their house feel cluttered and 54% thought they made it look untidy.
Four out of 10 parents claim they sometimes feel embarrassed about the condition of their home because of the impact their children have on it, while 14% feel too ashamed to invite other people to their home.