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Living in a Lifetime Home: A Survey of Residents' and Developers' Views
Living in a Lifetime Home A Survey of Residents' and Developers' Views Author:Leslie Sopp, Liz Wood The Lifetime Homes concept, developed in the 1990s, laid the ground rules for houses flexible enough to be accessible and functional whatever the age or well-being of the occupants. Since then, Part M Building Regulations have been introduced by Government to ensure that all new housing is built to more flexible standards. However, the views of ... more »those living in this new style of housing is not well documented. This research survey, conducted independently in 2000 by Consumers' Association and Liz Wood Associates, is one of the first accounts of the desirability and acceptability of Lifetime Homes-style housing. The researchers interviewed 300 inhabitants in their own homes, and examined their views on each of the Lifetime Home design features. In addition, they sought the current views of the private sector builders, sales staff, letting agents and the new house building regulator to the Part M initiatives, and the professional response to the changing market and regulations. The study suggests that whilst most people generally do not notice the changes when first moving into such a home, features such as a large bathroom and a downstairs toilet are seen as a positive attraction. Most people thought the concept was good, and the majority thought that many of the design standards were important. Among builders and developers, although the impact of the Part M Building regulations had not been as onerous as feared, the impact of the changes had yet to be realized.« less