Britons who are now in their twenties and thirties will own half as many homes in their lifetime as their parents , a study has shown . According to the research , today ’ s twenty and thirty-somethings will own an average of 1.7 homes over their lifetime , compared to 3.2 homes for the over-50s . The study , carried out by LV= home insurance , found that a third of homeowners are stuck in homes that are too small for them , but are unable to upsize . Almost a quarter said they could not raise the deposit for a bigger home , while a sixth said they were waiting for prices to drop before even contemplating a move . According to the research , today ’ s twenty and thirty-somethings will own an average of 1.7 homes over their lifetime , compared to 3.2 homes for the over-50s . Experts blamed rising prices – which have also meant higher stamp duty charges , legal fees and estate agent costs – as well as a housing shortage and stricter mortgage lending criteria which was introduced last April . Many families have instead chosen to stay put and extend their current homes . And moving house has become so unattainable that many Britons said they are already in their ‘ forever ’ home , including one in five people in their thirties . A separate report yesterday found the affordability of homes in UK cities has deteriorated in the last year and is now at levels last seen in 2009 – with the typical price now more than six times average annual earnings . Selwyn Fernandes , of LV= , said : ‘ While owning your own home was achievable for the previous generation , it is an impossible dream for many today . ‘ Rising house prices and strict lending criteria are now not only preventing people from buying their own home , but they are also stopping many homeowners from moving , forcing them to modify their homes instead. ’ Paula Higgins of the HomeOwners ’ Alliance , said : ‘ This survey suggests many are stuck in homes which may be unsuitable because they can not afford to move . Experts blamed rising prices – which have also meant higher stamp duty charges , legal fees and estate agent costs – as well as a housing shortage and stricter mortgage lending criteria which was introduced last April . ‘ In different stages of your lives , you have different needs . You may need to move closer to your place of work , or to good schools , or nearer to family . ‘ You may want more green space or a more adaptable home . But lots of people are finding they are stuck in their first homes , which they struggled to afford in the first place . ‘ Transaction costs , changes to mortgage lending criteria and - critically - a woeful lack of new homes being built puts homeownership , and moving up the ladder , out of the reach of many. ’ The survey by LV= asked homeowners whether they were in their ‘ forever ’ home . They then analysed their age and how many homes they had owned previously . A separate report yesterday found the affordability of homes in UK cities has deteriorated in the last year and is now at levels last seen in 2009 – when Britain was in the midst of an economic crisis . The average house price in cities has risen from £182,000 to £195,000 between 2014 and 2015 , with the typical price now more than six times average annual earnings . Lloyds Bank said Oxford was the UK ’ s least affordable city , followed by Winchester , Cambridge , Chichester , Brighton and Hove , Bath and London . Stirling , in Scotland , was the most affordable , with Londonderry , Northern Ireland , close behind , as well as Lancaster , Bradford and Hereford . Aberdeen recorded highest house price growth since 2005 after the oil-rich city underwent a dramatic housing boom , while London has seen the greatest growth since 2010 . Andy Hulme , of Lloyds Bank , said : ‘ House price rises in the past two years have resulted in a deterioration in home affordability in the majority of UK cities , and generally widened the north-south affordability divide . ’
According to research individuals in 20s and annual will own fewer homes . The study by LV= home insurance found a third were stuck in small homes . Experts blamed rising prices which have led to higher stamp duty and fees . Typical house prices now more than six times average 30s earnings .