Downsizing held back by costs
Monday 19th October, 2026
Barclays research finds 71% of UK homeowners see financial risks and upfront costs as barriers to downsizing, while many also struggle to find suitable smaller homes.
This gives you a chance to comment on how access to suitable homes affects people considering a move in the UK.
1 Source:
Why have we flagged this?
Barclays’ research highlights demand for downsizing and the financial barriers homeowners face, giving you an opportunity to share Rightmove data on suitable homes, prices and moving trends.
Get reactive idea inspiration
Thinking...
These are starting points for inspiration, not finished ideas.
Data idea
Show where smaller homes are hardest to find
Map the share of homes listed with two bedrooms or fewer in each local authority to show where downsizers have the fewest smaller properties to choose from.
Data to investigate: Analyse your property listings data to calculate the share of homes with two bedrooms or fewer in each local authority.
Why: It turns the call for more suitable homes into a clear picture of where the choice is most limited.
Expert comment
Explain why downsizing does not always mean moving cheaply
A property expert can explain how location and the type of home someone wants can matter as much as bedroom count when weighing up a move.
Expert comment angle: Offer this view to consumer money and property journalists, with examples of how the local market shapes the cost of moving to a smaller home.
Why: It adds a practical, property-specific reality check to the idea that fewer bedrooms automatically mean a cheaper move.