Housing

Key Facts
 In quarter 1 2011, the median house price of properties within Birmingham was lower than the average for England and the West Midlands.  Data from 2010/11 indicates that the average Local Authority rent in Birmingham is slightly higher that the West Midlands average but lower than the England average.  Data from 2010 indicates that the average RSL rent in Birmingham is higher than the West Midlands average but lower than the England average.   Perception data indicates that those who own their own homes or rent from a Housing Association are most satisfied with their home as a place to live, whilst council tenants are the least satisfied.   82% of residents intend to remain living in the local area for the forseeable future.  

Median House Price
 The chart below details the median house price of properties within Birmingham and compares this with the West Midlands and England average figures. The "median" property price is determined by ranking all property prices in ascending order. Excluded from the figures are sales at less than market price (e.g. Right To Buy), sales below £1,000 and sales above £20m.

In quarter 1 2011 the median house price in Birmingham was £124,950, compared to the England average of £175,000 and West Midlands average of £125,000.  The median house price in Birmingham was therefore £50,050 lower than the England average. </li>



<li style="margin-left:20px;">Based on this quarterly data, Birmingham has the fourth lowest median house prices of all the core cities (behind Bristol, Leeds, Newcastle upon Tyne and Manchester). </li> <li style="margin-left:20px;">Bristol had the highest median house price (£167,250) in quarter 1, this figure was £42,300 higher than the figure for Birmingham in quarter 1. </li>



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Average Local Authority Rent
 <li style="margin-left:20px;"> During 2010/11 The average Local Authority rent for Birmingham was £63.44, compared with the West Midlands average of £63.27 and the overall England average figure of £67.36. </li> <li style="margin-left:20px;">The average weekly Local Authority rent in Birmingham was therefore £3.92 less than the England average and £0.17 more than the West Midlands average. </li> <li style="margin-left:20px;">Between 1998-1999 Local Authority rents have increased by £22.67 (equating to 55.6%) in Birmingham and £25.11 (equating to 59.4%) across England. </li> </ul>



Average RSL Rent
 <li style="margin-left:20px;">In 2010, the average rent for an RSL property in Birmingham was £76.21, compared with the West Midlands average of £72.10 and the England average of £77.91. </li> <li style="margin-left:20px;">The average weekly RSL rent in Birmingham was therefore £1.70 less than the England average and £4.11 more than the West Midlands average. </li> <li style="margin-left:20px;">Between 1997 and 2010, the average RSL rent in Birmingham increased by £33.33 (equating to 77.7%) compared with the average rent in England £31.10 (equating to 66.5%). </li> </ul>



Resident Perceptions
Satisfaction with home

 <li style="margin-left:20px;">Data suggests that satisfaction with their home as a place to live is lowest amongst council tenants in Birmingham. </li> <li style="margin-left:20px;">Owner Occupiers and Housing Association Tenants appear to be the most satisfied with their home as a place to live. </li> <li style="margin-left:20px;">There has been a 7% decrease in the level of satisfaction expressed by Council Tenants, compared with a 1% decrease for Private Tenants, and increases of 2% for Owner Occupiers and 5% for Housing Association/ RSL Tenants. </li> </ul>





Reasons for considering moving

82% of respondents to the Birmingham Opinion Survey 2010 indicate that they wish to remain living in their area of residence for the foreseeable future. 14% stated that they wished to move out of the local area. Of the residents who stated that they wish to move out of the local area, 9% would move within Birmingham, whilst 5% would move outside of Birmingham.

There are many reasons why residents consider moving, the chart below illustrates the main reasons given by respondents when considering why they wish to leave their current area, these can be split into general themes.

<li style="margin-left:60px;">35% of respondents are considering moving due to area issues. </li> <li style="margin-left:60px;">26% of respondents are considering moving due to housing and accommodation issues. </li> <li style="margin-left:60px;">22% of respondents are consideing moving due to quality of life issues/ access to services. </li> <li style="margin-left:60px;">13% of respondents are considering moving due to personal reasons. </li>



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