UK homes filled with more rooms, says RICS survey

British homes are becoming condensed, with more rooms in the same space, according to a report published today (Friday) by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

The five-year review, which profiles trends in UK housing, says shrinking home spaces are down to the inclusion of extra rooms, especially en-suite bathrooms and utility rooms.

Developers are also capitalising on the growing popularity of town houses (a house of two, or sometimes three, stories) and mews homes (a yard or stable converted into housing), by re-branding smaller terraced properties as 'town houses' and 'mews' homes. 

The report, by RICS' Building Cost Information Service, also reveals the trend for more bedrooms per dwelling and details the most common types of houses and their most sought after features.

It found that the four bedroom detached house was the most common type, making up a third of all homes built and dominating the North of England, Scotland and Wales.

Larger, detached, high quality houses are often more profitable for developers.