Peeling paint, mould and blocked gutters are the top home ‘blind spots’

A poll of 2,000 adults found 63 per cent have up to 10 issues in their homes that they are currently putting off fixing.

Cracked grout, a dripping tap and a squeaky floorboard are among the top 20 things many said they are turning a blind eye to.

Many of the problems are being overlooked due to a lack of motivation (34 per cent), having too many other things to think about (21 per cent) and feeling stressed (20 per cent). Nearly three quarters (73 per cent) feel overwhelmed when faced with a long list of things they need to fix at home.

The study also found a quarter admit they feel guilty when they put off household repairs, while others are concerned issues will get worse (21 per cent) and 20 per cent feel annoyed when it’s still not fixed (20 per cent).

But over half (54 per cent) said when they finally tackle these tasks, they find them much simpler than anticipated, with 18 per cent experiencing a sense of relief once completed.

The research was commissioned by Smart Energy GB, which is encouraging households to book their smart meter switch-out appointment as soon as they are contacted by their energy supplier.

TV property expert Scarlette Douglas, who has developed a set of practical tips to help tackle the domestic to-do list, said: “It’s completely natural to feel overwhelmed by the day-to-day demands of running a household. When our minds are full, it’s easy for less urgent tasks to slip down the list, adding to the invisible mental load we all carry.

“One way to manage this is to tackle small tasks as soon as you can - even simple actions, like booking an appointment, can give a sense of relief and make you feel lighter mentally once it’s done.

“That’s why, when your supplier contacts you about switching out your older smart meter hardware for new kit, it’s worth acting straight away. One quick engineer visit will ensure you keep your automated readings, accurate bills, and access to flexible schemes and tariffs.”

The research went on to find 52 per cent look at the list of problems around the house at least once a week, with 59 per cent claiming these thoughts occupy their mind, according to the OnePoll figures.

But four in 10 would call in a professional to fix any issues, as their repairs will last longer (49 per cent) and they’ll use safe methods (49 per cent).

A Smart Energy GB spokesperson said: “It’s natural to have lots of things to touch up or repair in your home, but as the list gets longer it can become overwhelming. Once we begin chipping away at our tasks we often feel lighter, and as our research shows, it’s often easier than we expect.”

Top 20 ‘blind spots’ Brits are putting off fixing in their home:

1. Peeling paint
2. Mouldy bathroom sealant
3. Cleaning/unblocking the gutters
4. A carpet stain
5. A dripping or leaky tap
6. Cracked grout
7. A loose door handle
8. A squeaky floorboard
9. A stiff window
10. Radiators need bleeding
11. Drafty windows need sealing
12. A missing bit of skirting board / chipped skirting boards
13. A flickering lightbulb
14. Blocked drains need to be cleaned
15. A dodgy plug socket
16. A kitchen drawer that sticks
17. Broken roof tiles need repairing/replacing
18. Replacing smoke alarm batteries
19. A sagging curtain rail
20. A shower that never keeps the same temperature

Scarlette Douglas’ top 7 ways to tackle your domestic to-do list:

1. Write it down - getting tasks out of your head and onto paper instantly makes things feel more manageable.
2. Tackle the quick jobs - if it only takes a few minutes, do it straight away and enjoy the mental relief.
3. Face the jobs you keep delaying - the longer you put things off, the bigger they feel, so getting them done early can prevent stress building up.
4. Share the responsibility - running a home isn’t a one person job, so share the load
5. Let tech help you - tools like smart meters and mobile phone apps exist to make life easier.
6. Act when you’re contacted - booking appointments for household services as soon as you’re contacted helps keep your to do list under control.
7. Be gentle with yourself - you don’t need to do everything at once; small wins still count.