What is a 'bedroom'?

Lisalulu

Hi there. I'm new to MSE, wondering if somebody could give me some advice.

As a young family of four, we're currently desperate to sell our home, which is a small two bed cottage. Our estate agent refuses to market it as a two bed property as the second bedroom is, to say the least, an awkward shape. When we bought the house 3 years ago, it was sold to us as a 2 bedroomed property. It has been on the market for a month without a single viewing and feedback from the agent is that people aren't evening willing to look at a 1 bedroomed house in our area- even if the price is right. This frustrates me beyond belief, as many of the houses we have looked around have MUCH smaller 'bedrooms'.

My daughters bedroom comfortably fits a 175cm child's bed, plus wardrobe, drawers, and plenty of toys, though it currently holds a cot. Surely this can be marketed as a bedroom? So I guess my question is, legally, what constitutes a 'bedroom'?

Blackpool_Saver

Change agents, you employ them.

jillymit

Find yoursef another agent!
I think there is some rule about not being able to advertise loft conversions as bedrooms, something to do with fire regulations.
Sorry I'm not being much help here am I?
My youngest sons room sounds a lot like your daughters room so I'd be interested in any agents replies.

Emmzi

my EA said you havbe to be able to fit in a regular bed, and a wardrobe with room to open it.

would a normal size bed fit in?

if not could you describe it as a nursery?

everlastingspirit

Hi there,

As a ex estate/letting agent (and a good & fair one at that) i can say there are a few reasons a room can not be marketed as a bedroom. These should not be limited to size to the best of my knowledge and experience. It may be Ive never come across such a scenario though.. If you had a loft conversion that did not have the correct depth and thickness floors then this would be a reason. If it is just a room the same as any other in the property, irrespective of size and shape there is no reason to my knowledge it cannot be sold as a bedroom. Its certainly not an issue ive ever faced

Id confront your current selling agent and advise them that they either provide and prove a legal reason the room cannot be marketed as such or be prepared to change the advert. If they decline both then give them the sack as they are doing you and themselves an injustice. Be aware however they may have asked you to sign a minimum contract term agreeing to a minimum sole selling rights period. You could however say they are breaching the contract themselves as they arent marketing the property correcty. If in doubt, speak to your solicitor or scan a copy of the agreement and post here. If drop me an email at [EMAIL="ben@orchidgarden.co.uk"]ben@orchidgarden.co.uk[/EMAIL] with a copy of the agreement i will be ahppy to advise your rights of termination and if none how to argue out of it!

Ben

fitpig

Does the bedroom have a door? If it doesn't you can't call it a bedroom. Where in the cottage is the room?

GracieP

Sorry OP, but if you can't fit a proper bed in it I would not consider it a bedroom. And if I went to see a house marketed as a two bed, but there was no way of fitting a bed in one of the "bedrooms" I'd be annoyed with the agent and less likely to look at any other houses they are marketing.

poppysarah

We viewed one place where it had a single bed in and she said "if you took the radiator off you could fit a wardrobe in"

Another you couldn't shut the door because the bed was in the way.

lostinrates

Its my understanding that their are minimum space per person requirements for things like foster homes. I've never really understood why the same wasn't required for purposes of building and selling domestic houses. It seems a fair basis minimum reqirment should be applicable to all.

alexlyne

I live in a two bed, the second bedroom will fit a full bed and something the size of a chest of drawers (or a small wardrobe) - but only if the door is hinged to open outwards - there is a wardrobe on our landing (room dims are 4ft3 x 10ft - assumes a 3ft bed). I bloomin hope my estate agent doesn't say it's 'not a bedroom' - what else could it be?

On property bee, I saw a property that had once been marketed as 3 recep, 3 bed - it then changed to 2 recep, 4 bed! ha ha

Emmzi

I'd guess an adult single.

Think we have scared Op off...