New research from Age UK Enterprises had indicated that for 21% of homeowners aged 60 and over, the cost of maintenance is the biggest concern they have when thinking about looking after their home in later life.

Having the physical ability to maintain their home was another key concern, with over a third (35%) indicating having significant worries about being able to carry out everyday jobs, such as mowing the lawn.

This is important, as insurers will not cover the cost of wear and tear or damage to homes that happens over time. For example, insurers may not pay out on repairs to a poorly maintained roof after a storm. Insurers expect homeowners to keep their home in good repair and take reasonable steps to avoid loss or damage.

These concerns mean that some maintenance jobs are being put off and, therefore, future claims due to poor maintenance may be at risk for those affected. Topping this list is checking home exteriors for corroded or damaged pointing, with over a third (35%) saying they wait until something needs to be fixed before taking action. This is closely followed by checking the roof (32%) for any missing or damaged tiles and checking windows (24%) for any damaged seals or fastenings.

Gordon Morris, managing director of Age UK Enterprises, said: “As the weather improves, many of us think about turning to getting odd jobs done around the home. However, for a fifth of people aged 60 and over, checking what needs to be done and undertaking general maintenance can be a cause for both monetary and physical concern.

“Simple steps, such as frequently checking the exterior of the home, can go a long way to helping homeowners identify potential problems early on and ultimately help save money and prevent worry. There are also a range of potential sources of help with this and none of us should be worried about calling on this help.”