Bungalows have long been a popular choice for buyers looking for accessible, single-storey living – but new figures suggest they are becoming an increasingly rare part of the UK’s housing stock.

Despite continued demand, only a tiny proportion of newly built homes are now bungalows.

Figures highlighted in recent industry analysis show that 1,505 new-build bungalows were constructed in 2024/25, accounting for just 1.3% of all new homes. That works out at roughly one bungalow for every 75 new properties built.

Why are so few bungalows being built?

One of the biggest issues is land.

A bungalow typically occupies considerably more land for the amount of living space it provides compared with a two or three-storey property. With development land expensive and pressure on housebuilders to maximise the number of homes delivered on each site, building upwards can make far more commercial sense.

The result is that bungalows can find themselves pushed down the priority list when new developments are designed.

But demand hasn’t disappeared

For many buyers, particularly those looking to downsize or thinking about accessibility in later life, a bungalow can be an attractive option.

Single-storey living can mean fewer accessibility concerns, easier maintenance and the ability to remain in a property for longer as circumstances change.

This creates an interesting imbalance: bungalows may be becoming scarcer at exactly the time an ageing population could increase demand for them.

There has been a little improvement. The 1,505 bungalows built in 2024/25 represented a 19% increase on the previous year, but they still accounted for only a very small fraction of overall new housing.

What could this mean for buyers?

A continued shortage could make good-quality bungalows particularly sought-after in certain areas.

For homeowners considering downsizing, meanwhile, finding the right property isn't simply about the purchase price. Your existing mortgage, available equity, borrowing requirements and the costs involved in moving all need to be considered.

If you're thinking about buying a bungalow, downsizing or moving home, it can be useful to understand your mortgage options and budget before you begin seriously searching.

Speak to us and we can look at your circumstances, explain the mortgage options available and help you understand what you could comfortably afford.

News meta description:
Bungalows account for just 1.3% of new UK homes despite continued demand. We look at why fewer are being built and what it could mean for buyers.

News short description:
Could the British bungalow be disappearing? Despite continued demand, just 1.3% of new homes built in 2024/25 were bungalows.