Homebuyers influenced by security features

The housing industry has been advised to focus on improving the level of security for new housing projects, while estate agents should emphasise a pro

16:10 23 September 2005

The housing industry has been advised to focus on improving the level of security for new housing projects, while estate agents should emphasise a property's security features, according to a new report.

Figures from the survey released by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) showed that potential house buyers put a high level of importance of the security features of a property and see the issue as "key".

Additional safety features, such as outside lighting, secure locks and gates were seen as positive indicators of the overall security of the house and could make or break the decision by the viewer.

Data was collected from over 140 chartered surveyor estate agents to help identify the criteria used by buyers and to provide guidance on what aspects of the property to focus on for different social groups.

Almost 80 per cent of single women said that security was the most important criteria when house hunting, while 50 per cent of those on a single income with children agreed safety was vital and 38 per cent of divorcees admitted to checking the security features of a property.