A recent survey carried out by property website Zoopla and the Society of Garden Designers, has suggested that nearly half (47%) of the people surveyed have been put off buying or renting a property by the condition of the garden.
Half (50%) of the 2,000 people surveyed believe a good garden layout is as or more important than a well-designed bathroom or kitchen.
People said they spend an average of £678 a year to keep their current gardens, terraces and courtyards in good condition.
Nearly nine in 10 (86%) renters and home owners surveyed said they consider their outside space to be either very or extremely important.
Zoopla spokeswoman Laura Howard said: “The annual weather in the UK might be changeable but the requirement for a garden is steadfast.”
The survey also asked people to rank their favourite garden design features, with having somewhere to relax coming out top.
- Somewhere to sit and relax (36%)
- Maximum sunlight throughout the day/South facing (15%)
- Somewhere for the children to play (12%)
- Flowers/shrubs (8%)
- A space for pets (7%)
- Somewhere to entertain (6%)
- Growing my own fruit/vegetables (4%)
- Extra storage space/shed (2%)
- A water feature (0.4%)
We’re not suggesting you need to do a makeover worthy of Chelsea but with figures like these maybe it’s time to grab those secateurs and lawn mower!