The most common problems include broken fences, mould, damp and overgrown gardens but more than half of people who need repairs can't afford the necessary work, according to a survey by mortgage and loans broker Ocean Finance.
In the survey of UK home owners, around 49% said their home could do with some repair work. Of those, 32% said they needed to fix fences and boundaries around the home, while 30% need to repaint the building.
The research also found that one in four, some 26%, have problems with damp or mould, which could pose a risk to their health.
But of those who said their home needs repairs, over half, 54%, simply can't afford it meaning their home could fall into further disrepair until they can afford to do something about it.
On the other hand, 40% said that they either haven't had time or haven't got round to it, while 24% need to find someone else to do the work.
Overall 32% said that fences and boundaries needed repairing, 30% said the outside of the property needs works, 27% said windows need repair or painting, 26% said their concern was damp or mould and the same number cited plastering and gutters.
Also 23% said their garden was overgrown, 16% said brickwork needed repointing and chimney repaired, 13% had rotten woodwork and the same number needed to address a damaged roof. On top of this 11% had leaking pipes or roof and the same number has electrics needing rewiring. Also 7% mentioned problems with drains and the same number with cracked glazing.
‘It's easy to let small repair jobs mount up, and before you know it you have several different jobs that are going to cost a lot to fix. For that reason it's usually worth taking care of problems as and when they come up,’ said Ian Williams of Ocean Finance.
