Number of bedrooms and proximity to pub among top priorities when moving house, research claims

Three in 10 want to be close to train station

(Getty)

Number of bedrooms, a speedy internet connection - and being close to a pub are among the top priorities British people look for in a new home, according to a new poll.

A survey 2,000 homeowners and renters found a spacious living room is more important than a modern kitchen, while local shops are a bigger priority than storage space.

Other important factors included local amenities. Three in 10 wanted to be close to a train station, a third required a corner shop and more than a quarter wanted a post box nearby.

More than two thirds also said they would "put off" by a home with a slow internet connection. Two in five had decided against a property after discovering the area had poor broadband connection.

“The results show an interesting change in home-movers’ preferences in recent years," said Charles Davies of Hyperoptic, which commissioned the research. “Brits rely on the internet so much nowadays for everything from entertainment, to working and keeping in touch with others. The rise in flexible working and the number of people working from home is likely to have had an influence on homeowners needs, such as speedy broadband.

The study also revealed more than a third have seen their priorities change over the past five years when it comes to house-hunting.

Around three quarters believed broadband speed was now an "essential" for homebuyers and 86 per cent said having decent connection in their property is important to them.

A quarter said they worked from home and therefore relied on it and a sixth said it was important to keep their kids entertained. Four in 10 used it for streaming TV shows and films.

More than a quarter of those polled actively researched the broadband speed of an area before moving house.

The study also found respondents were willing to wait an average of three weeks for wifi to be set up in their new home - but when they last relocated, 38 per cent kept their same broadband provider.

A further 40 per cent did not think there was enough information available on the quality and speed of internet services in a potential new home.

SWNS