Creating space with a roof light and loft conversion

With Citigroup estimating that around 1.2 million homeowners in the UK have fallen victim to negative equity since the start of the property slide, the Times has been looking at ways to boost the value and feel of the house.

One way of improving the home and creating more living space is to convert the loft into an extra room.

Turning the attic into a bedroom could add up to £50,000 onto the value of the house, according to the newspaper.

"This is one of the most cost-effective ways to add space – especially if you turn it into an extra bedroom and bathroom," it suggests.

"Bear in mind that you need to have at least 2.3 metres of headroom, and think about where you will put all the stuff youve been storing up there."

Adding a skylight will improve the loft conversion by allowing natural light to flow in – saving on electricity during the daylight hours.

According to Halifax, the average house price in the UK is now 17.2 per cent lower than this time last year at £163,966.