Father Christmas is going to have a taxing evening on the 24th as only 2 in 5 British homes have a chimney.
According to the survey carried out by Rightmove, a further 7 out of 10 homeowners say their chimney is too small for tubby Santa to climb down.
This gradual change to British housing stock comes as more people now opt for gas fires (27%) and a tenth of those surveyed say they've boarded up their original fireplaces.
Parents of young children who don't have a chimney said their kids were very concerned that Santa won't be able to deliver his gifts on Christmas Eve.
Nearly 70% of parents explained that Santa will be able to use his special key to enter their home.
Rightmove director Miles Shipside said: "The surge in new flats and modernisation of older houses means the proportion of people benefitting from the traditional chimney is on the decline. But where there is a will there is a way.”
Merry Christmas from all the team at Housing Specification.
