UK homeowners spend a whopping average £3,579 every year on the interior of their home, but over half (57%) invest less than £250 on outdoor home maintenance.

We prioritise our home spending on the kitchen (£938), living room (£584), and bathroom (£527), but spend a combined average total of just £714 on all of our outdoor areas, with the majority spending far less than that.

Not enough action

Despite two thirds (67%) of us admitting to suffering negative feelings as a result of living in neighbourhoods that are poorly maintained, the research suggests homeowners are not actually taking action to ensure the upkeep of their own homes.

The most common neighbourhood issues noted by homeowners were untidy gardens or outdoor areas (34%), followed by buildings in disrepair (18%) and outdoor spaces used as dumping grounds (18%).

One in five claimed that they are even considering moving house because their local neighbourhood is so unkempt, but one in 10 worry that the value of their home will decrease as a result of its surroundings.

Tim Downes, senior claims manager for Lloyds Bank Insurance, said: “Homeowners place a high value on their outdoor spaces, yet there is a significant lack of investment in the upkeep of these spaces. It is important that homeowners take care of their properties, not just for aesthetic reasons, but also to prevent the risk of maintenance problems such as damp, leaking roofs, and poor guttering, which, if left, can be expensive issues to rectify.”