According to the report, these range from broken toilets and radiators, to dodgy light fittings, plug sockets and even wiring.
However, the survey of 2,000 people discovered that almost one third of Brits simply don’t have the cash available to fix domestic problems (30 per cent), while a similar number (32%) don’t know how to. A patient quarter of us are waiting on our partner to do the repair, while half are just willing to live with the situation.
49% say they will take action to carry out household repairs if and when the problem gets worse, while one third plan to attend to their domestic issues as soon as they have the money available.
The minor issues that we all put up with include broken plug sockets (6% of us leaving it more than a year to get fixed), broken light fittings (5% of homes, which stay in this potentially dangerous state for 12 months) radiators, dripping taps, broken toilet handles and cisterns, overflowing gutters, and broken gates and fences.
These unattended minor jobs are leading to lots of domestic mishaps too. CORGI HomePlan’s research showed that in the past year; four per cent of householders have suffered an electric shock at home, seven per cent have fallen over exposed or loose cabling, seven per cent have had an accident while gardening, four per cent have suffered a DIY injury, three per cent have fallen off a ladder, 11% have tripped on the stairs, while 18% have experienced mould in their home.
Peter Southcott, Chief Executive of CORGI HomePlan, says: “It’s clear people are living with lots of broken appliances and potentially dangerous situations in their home. That’s a real shame, because it is totally avoidable.
While the cost of one-off repairs might be too steep for many, regular repairs, servicing and maintenance of the home can be done through home cover insurance for the cost of just the cost of a couple of takeaway coffees a week. It’s a small price to pay for the peace of mind that comes with having a safe home and avoids unaffordable one-off costs.”
