Older people worried about home maintenance

New research has revealed that the cost of home maintenance is a major worry for the over-60s, with one in five older people saying it's the biggest concern they have over their home.

Having the physical ability to maintain their home was another key concern, with the Age UK Enterprises research revealing that over a third had 'significant worries' about being able to carry out everyday jobs such as mowing the lawn.

"As the weather improves, many of us think about turning to getting odd jobs done around the home," says Gordon Morris, managing director of Age UK Enterprises.

"However, for a fifth of people aged 60 and over, checking what needs to be done and undertaking general maintenance can be a cause for both monetary and physical concern."

Keeping your home well maintained is about more than appearances, as insurers won't cover the cost of wear and tear or damage to homes that happens over time. Even if a roof is damaged after a storm, for example, insurers may not pay for repairs if it's been allowed to slip into a poor state of repair.

However, the Age UK research reveals that many older people are putting off some maintenance jobs, risking their ability to make future insurance claims.

Topping this list is checking the outside of the building for corroded or damaged pointing, with over a third of over-60s35%) saying they wait until something needs to be fixed before taking action.

The next most-neglected job is checking the roof for any missing or damaged tiles - neglected by 32% of people - and checking windows for any damaged seals or fastenings, which nearly a quarter of people fail to do.

"Simple steps, such as frequently checking the exterior of the home, can go a long way to helping homeowners identify potential problems early on and ultimately help save money and prevent worry," says Morris.

According to Lloyds Bank, UK spending on home maintenance rose to £6.9 billion in 2014, up from £6.4 billion in 2013 - an average of just over £250 per household per year.

But, says Morris, "There are also a range of potential sources of help with this and none of us should be worried about calling on this help."

Homeowners can find tradespeople through the TrustMark scheme, which lists reputable local firms working to government-endorsed standards. Meanwhile, Age UK itself has a Handyperson service that's available across 80% of the country: it can be accessed by calling the Freephone number 0800 169 65 65.

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