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What are the top reasons people are moving home this summer?
Originally published: Restored and updated: 11 min read
Discover why people move house, from work and affordability to family and space. Includes Tepilo's restored 2018 findings and a separate 2026 update.
Archive note: Tepilo first published an article on this subject in June 2018. The original findings came from an AA Mortgages survey of 2,133 adults. They are preserved below as historical research. A clearly labelled 2026 update follows, using current official housing evidence.
People rarely move simply because they fancy dealing with boxes, solicitors and a change of address. A move usually follows a practical change in life: a new job, a growing family, the need for a more affordable home or the desire to live somewhere better suited to everyday life.
In the 2018 research, work was the leading reason for moving, selected by 23% of respondents. Moving to a cheaper area came next at 12%, followed by needing more space to start or grow a family at 11%.
The main reasons people planned to move in 2018
The AA Mortgages study challenged the idea that people moved mainly to make money from rising property prices. Respondents were seven times more likely to be moving for work than to be trying to make a quick profit from the housing market.
| Reason for moving | 2018 finding |
|---|---|
| A change of job or moving closer to work | 23% |
| Moving to a cheaper area | 12% |
| Starting or expanding a family | 11% |
| Moving closer to family | 10% |
| Downsizing to release equity | 7% |
| Trying to profit from the housing market | 3% |
Summer movers also planned to spend 3% less on their next home than prospective movers had expected to spend at the beginning of 2018.
These results described the intentions of respondents at that time. They are not current market statistics.
Work was the leading reason for moving
Work-related moves increased from 17% to 23% over the three months covered by the 2018 homebuying tracker. This was the only reason to record a significant increase during that period.
The effect was strongest among younger respondents. Some 39% of people aged under 25 said their move was connected to employment, such as changing job or living closer to work.
A work-related move can take several forms:
- Relocating for a new employer or promotion
- Reducing a long or unreliable commute
- Moving closer to a major transport route
- Finding a home with space to work
- Moving to an area with better employment prospects
For sellers, this means that journey times and transport connections can be as important as the property itself. A listing should give buyers enough information to understand how the location works for regular travel.
Affordability mattered more than trading up
The second most common response was the need to live in a cheaper area, chosen by 12% of respondents. A further 7% planned to downsize so they could release some of the equity tied up in their home.
This points to two different affordability decisions. One group wanted to reduce the cost of buying in a particular location. Another wanted a smaller or less expensive property that could lower running costs and free up capital.
Price is only part of that calculation. Council tax, energy use, maintenance, service charges, insurance and travel costs can all make one home materially more expensive than another.
Families needed more space or wanted to be closer together
For 11% of respondents, starting a family, expecting a baby or adding another child created the need for more bedrooms or living space. Another 10% planned to move closer to family.
Those motivations are related but distinct. A growing household might need a larger home, garden, storage or a different layout. Someone moving closer to relatives may prioritise location over property size, particularly where grandparents, childcare or caring responsibilities are involved.
Moving priorities changed with age
The 2018 findings showed a strong connection between life stage and the reason for moving.
Respondents aged 18 to 24
Younger adults were the most likely to move for work. They were also the age group most likely to seek a cheaper area, selected by 14%.
Respondents aged 25 to 34
Among this group, 24% wanted more space for a growing family and 14% wanted to move to a nicer area.
Respondents aged 55 and over
Older homeowners had a different set of priorities:
- 28% wanted to downsize and release capital.
- 26% wanted to be closer to family.
- 19% wanted to move to the countryside for a quieter pace of life.
The central finding was not that everybody wanted a bigger or more valuable property. People wanted homes that better matched the next stage of their lives.
2026 update: why people want to move now
This section is new. The AA survey has not been repeated here, and current sources use different samples and questions. The figures below provide present-day context, not a direct comparison with 2018.
The latest English Housing Survey shows that space, neighbourhood and ownership remain important reasons for wanting to move.
Among households whose reference person was aged 35 to 64, the most common reasons for wanting to move were:
| Reason for wanting to move | 2024 to 2025 finding |
|---|---|
| Moving to a better neighbourhood or area | 25% |
| Wanting a larger house or flat | 24% |
| Wanting to buy their own property | 13% |
The English Housing Survey 2024 to 2025 age-cohort report also shows why moving needs vary with age, household type, tenure and income.
Why private renters moved
The current evidence is especially detailed for people moving from one private tenancy to another. Their most common reasons were:
| Reason for the last move | Share of private renters |
|---|---|
| Wanted a larger home | 24% |
| Job-related reasons | 23% |
| Wanted a better neighbourhood | 20% |
| Asked to leave by the landlord | 13% |
| Wanted to live with friends or relatives | 10% |
| Wanted a cheaper home | 9% |
| Previous home was in poor condition | 9% |
Respondents could select more than one answer. The figures come from the English Housing Survey's 2024 to 2025 private rented sector report.
Work remains prominent, but the current evidence also highlights housing quality and security. Not every move is freely chosen. Some renters move because a tenancy ends, a landlord asks them to leave or the condition of the property is no longer acceptable.
Affordability remains part of the decision
The UK House Price Index for June 2026 put the average UK property value at £272,000, while the Bank of England's June 2026 figures recorded an effective interest rate of 4.35% on newly drawn mortgages.
National averages cannot tell you whether a particular move is affordable. Buyers need to consider the deposit, monthly mortgage payment, moving costs and ongoing bills for the property they are considering. Sellers should remember that buyers may be comparing total monthly costs, not simply asking prices.
You can check recent house prices in your area and estimate how much it may cost to sell your home before deciding whether a move works financially.
What do these reasons mean for someone selling a home?
Understanding likely buyer motivations helps you present useful information, but it should not lead to assumptions about every viewer.
If the home suits a growing family
Make the usable space clear. Give accurate room dimensions, explain storage and show how flexible rooms are currently used. Include factual information about the garden, nearby amenities and transport. Buyers should verify school admissions and catchment areas directly with the relevant authority.
If the home suits a work-related mover
State realistic journey times to stations, major roads and employment centres. Mention broadband availability and any space that could work as a home office, without describing a room as a bedroom unless it is appropriate to do so.
If the home suits a downsizer
Practical details may matter more than aspirational language. Explain access, stairs, parking, maintenance needs, storage and the distance to shops, healthcare and public transport.
If affordability is a selling point
Provide the council tax band, EPC rating and any known service charges or estate charges. Do not describe a property as cheap to run without evidence.
Tepilo's tools can help buyers and sellers check the council tax band, find the EPC, identify the local authority and review nearby planning applications.
Is summer a good time to move house?
Summer can be convenient for families hoping to move between school years. Longer daylight hours also make viewings and the physical move easier, while gardens and outdoor spaces are often at their best.
There are trade-offs. Removal companies, surveyors and other services may be busy, and a chain can still be delayed by searches, mortgage approvals, surveys or missing paperwork. The best time to move is usually when your finances, onward plans and property preparation are ready, rather than a particular month on the calendar.
If you plan to sell in summer, begin preparing early. Gather the title information, planning and building-regulation documents, warranties, guarantees, EPC and property forms that may be needed later. Resolving missing information before a buyer is waiting can reduce avoidable delays.
Should you improve your current home or move?
Before committing to a move, compare it with the realistic cost and disruption of changing the home you already have.
Moving may make more sense when the problem is location, a long commute, local amenities or a permanent lack of space. Improving may be more practical when you like the area and the property can be adapted within budget and planning constraints.
Consider:
- What is the main problem with the current home?
- Could an extension, conversion or different layout solve it?
- What would the work cost, including professional fees and contingency?
- What would moving cost, including tax, legal fees, surveys and removals?
- Would the next home improve daily life enough to justify the difference?
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common reason people move house?
There is no single answer for every household. In Tepilo's restored 2018 research, work was the leading reason at 23%. In current official evidence for households aged 35 to 64 who wanted to move, a better neighbourhood or area was the most common answer at 25%, closely followed by wanting a larger home at 24%.
Do people move mainly to make money from property?
That was not what the 2018 survey found. Respondents were seven times more likely to cite work than an attempt to make a quick profit from the housing market.
Why do families move house?
Common reasons include needing more bedrooms or living space, wanting a garden, moving closer to relatives and choosing an area that works better for childcare, schools or commuting.
Why do older homeowners move?
Some older homeowners move to downsize, release equity, reduce maintenance or live closer to family and essential services. Others remain because their current home and local connections already meet their needs.
Is it easier to sell a house in summer?
Summer can make viewings and presentation easier, but a successful sale still depends on local demand, condition, pricing and whether the transaction is ready to proceed. Season alone cannot guarantee a faster sale or a higher price.
Sources and restoration notes
The historic results were recovered from contemporary reports published on 21 June 2018:
- Property Reporter: What are the main reasons for moving home?
- Mortgage Introducer: Brits seven times more likely to move house because of changing job
The current update uses the English Housing Survey, HM Land Registry and Bank of England data. Figures were last reviewed on 28 August 2026.
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