Getting on the property ladder is no mean feat, but, according to a new survey, the struggle is far from over when you finally get the keys to your own home.
As anyone who's still using their garden furniture as a dining table will attest, this year's first-time buyers are struggling through the first few months of home ownership without essential items of furniture and appliances - and turning to unusual ways to make do.
A study of 1,007 first time buyers carried out by
Furniture123, found 68% have had to temporarily sleep on a mattress on the floor in the absence of a bed.
Meanwhile 61% have stored their clothes on a temporary clothes rail as they didn’t have a wardrobe, while 65% have balanced their TV on items, like boxes.
And, more than half (53%) of respondents have resorted to a cool box for chilled items in place of a fridge.
Despite this, just 21% claim to have gone more than two weeks without wifi, and less than one in 10 (8%) have gone without a TV - suggesting many are putting connectivity first before comfort.
62% of those who found themselves in these situations said this was due to a lack of funds and the rising costs of getting on the property ladder, while one in four (27%) said it was because of poor planning and they were waiting for items to arrive.
On average, it takes first time buyers 46 weeks or 11.5 months to fully furnish their home.
