Key takeaways
The average first-time buyer is now 34. They have rented for an average of 12.8 years, have experienced rising energy bills, and know what they want.
70% of Gen Z and 63% of Millennials see climate change as the biggest threat to civilisation. That mindset comes with them to the housing market.
42% of buyers say a good Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)* rating is very important to them. One in four say it influenced which property they chose.
Buyers are paying around 9.4% more for retrofitted homes, existing properties that have been upgraded with new technology and materials after they were built to improve energy efficiency, lower carbon emissions, and reduce energy bills.
Your conveyancer does more than check the EPC. Environmental searches cover flood risk, contamination, radon and more.
Forget the first-time buyer stereotype. The English Housing Survey 2024/25 puts the average age at 34 - 35 in London. In the mid-1990s it was 29. Back then, nearly one in four buyers was under 25. Today it is fewer than one in sixteen.
These are people who have spent a decade or more renting. They have lived through energy crises, rising bills and cold homes. They are not rushing. They are choosing carefully, and energy efficiency is high on the list.
Today’s first-time buyers are Millennials and older Gen Z. And the data on how these generations feel about the environment is striking.
YouGov found in 2024 that 70% of Gen Z and 63% of Millennials believe climate change is the biggest threat to civilisation. Cardiff University research found they experience more climate anxiety than older groups. Deloitte’s 2024 survey of 22,000 people across 44 countries found 45% of UK Millennials have rejected a job offer because of a company’s values. That same values-driven thinking is now shaping where and what they buy.
This is not just idealism. It’s practical. These are buyers who have paid high bills in draughty rented homes and do not want to repeat the experience when they finally own.
The UK has to reach net zero by 2050. Homes account for around 13% of national greenhouse gas emissions. And according to the UK Green Building Council, just under two thirds of UK homes are currently rated EPC D or below.
The Energy Saving Trust puts it bluntly: British homes lose heat up to three times faster than equivalent homes across Europe. More than 80% of the buildings we will be living in by 2050 are already built. Most of them need significant upgrades.
The government wants all homes at EPC C by 2035. The Climate Change Committee estimates it will cost around £250 billion to get there. Progress so far has been slow, the CCC noted in 2023 that decarbonising buildings has essentially stalled since 2010.
The green premium is real. Santander research covering more than 2,300 buyers found people paying an average 9.4% more for retrofitted homes. Estate agents report 15.5% higher prices for high energy-efficiency properties on average, with over a third of agents seeing premiums above 20% in their area.
A lower-rated home might look cheaper today. But factor in higher running costs, a future retrofit bill, and a harder resale, and the maths often tells a different story.
The EPC is the headline number, but it is not the whole picture. When you instruct a conveyancer, several environmental checks happen before exchange.
The environmental search covers flood risk, ground contamination, radon, and nearby energy infrastructure. The drainage search confirms sewer connections and whether any public drains cross the land (important if you are planning an extension). The local authority search picks up contaminated land designations, tree preservation orders and relevant planning restrictions.
If anything is flagged, your conveyancer explains what it means and whether you need a specialist to look further. A flag is not a reason to panic. It is a reason to ask the right questions before you commit.
One thing to remember: conveyancers check the legal position. They do not inspect the building. For the physical condition, insulation, boiler, structure, damp, you may need a surveyor. The two work together.
We order environmental searches early and explain the results in plain English. If something needs your attention, we tell you what it means, not just that it exists.
First-time buyers are making one of the biggest decisions of their lives, usually after years of thinking about it. We want the legal side to feel as clear and in control as the rest of the process.
Talk to us early. It makes everything that follows easier.
This article is general information for buyers in England and Wales. It is not legal advice for your specific purchase. Get in touch if you would like to talk through your move.
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A report ordered by your conveyancer covering flood risk, ground contamination, radon, nearby infrastructure and other environmental factors. It is separate from the EPC and carried out before exchange.
Your conveyancer explains what the flag means and whether any further action is needed. Some flags are informational. Others may affect insurance or prompt a specialist report. A flag is not automatically a reason not to buy.
Yes. Searches cover the legal and registered position. A survey covers the physical condition: structure, roof, heating, insulation, damp. If energy efficiency matters to you, a surveyor can also advise on what improving the EPC rating would involve.
The UK target is net zero by 2050, with all homes reaching EPC C by 2035. If you are buying a property rated D or below, factor in potential retrofit costs when working out what it is worth to you.
Because energy-efficient homes cost less to run, are likely to require fewer upgrades as regulations tighten, and are increasingly what buyers want. Santander research found an average 9.4% premium on retrofitted homes, with premiums above 20% in some areas.
Usually yes. But some properties — listed buildings, conservation areas — have restrictions on external changes like solar panels or wall insulation. Your conveyancer can flag any relevant restrictions before exchange.
