Household Climate Risk Awareness, Perceived Protection and Readiness to Act: Evidence from a UK Housing Survey

Background: Physical climate risks increasingly affect UK homes, yet recognition does not necessarily mean households understand risks to their own property or feel able to act. We examined how homespecific awareness, perceived protection and practical readiness align for flooding and overheating.

Methods: We analysed an online survey of 907 UK adults using descriptive statistics, paired and subgroup comparisons, and multivariable logistic regression.

Results: Three patterns emerged. Only 11.6% reported awareness of extreme-weather risks affecting their own home, while 50.3% recognised that flooding or overheating could affect mortgage or borrowing outcomes. Perceived protection was lower for overheating than flooding: 23.9% rated their home fairly or very well protected against overheating, compared with 42.7% for flooding. Although 87.0% expressed willingness to improve their home, only 42.7% had acted or planned to act. Uncertainty about what to do, lack of trusted advice and affordability were prominent barriers. Readiness was associated with prior experience, perceived timing, personal responsibility, trust in mortgage providers and perceived overheating protection.

Conclusions: Generic awareness-raising may be insufficient for climate-resilient housing. Priorities include property-specific information, feasible actions, trusted advice and practical or financial support. Housing intermediaries may support practical action and link risk reduction to comfort, health and lower bills.