Removing downstairs loo, will we de-value the house?

Catatonia

Surely that can't be true as most downstairs loos are tiny so wouldn't even be accessible.

Oldernotwiser

How big is the kitchen now and how big would it be if you incorporated the loo?

getmore4less

Catatonia wrote: »

Surely that can't be true as most downstairs loos are tiny so wouldn't even be accessible.

AIUI the rule don't require full access so just being downstairs is enough.

Removing the loo would make the place less disabled friendly and that may be a problem any changes that make a place worse than they are allready.

Definately talk to building regs before thinking out something like this.

SUESMITH_2

we had a downstairs loo put in under the stairs so its only tiny.

it was the best thing we did though, especially when my dad who struggled wth stairs came to stay, and with having two small children at the time it was so handy. i wouldn't want a house without one now

we're in a 2 bed 1930s semi

Jackinbox99

Guess it depends on the buyer. My house used to have a downstairs loo, but the previous owners got rid of it and made the kitchen huge. All the viewers of my house have all said how amazing the kitchen is, and noone has commented about the lack of a downstairs loo.

For me personally however, I do like a downstairs loo. It saves having guests, or yourself, march upstairs to use a toilet - especially if you are having a bbq or something outside - im always worried that guests will end up dirtying up the carpet or leaving marks somewhere. Whereas a d/stairs loo would be much more convenient. But as a purchaser, I certainly wouldnt turn a house down cos it didnt have one.

Doozergirl

getmore4less wrote: »

THis thrad might be redundant because I have a feeling that once you have a ground floor toilet you may not be able to remove due to current building regs.

IIRC it is all in the part M an disabled access

The regs would only apply to houses built (or significant extensions perhaps) after that piece of legislation was introduced. And then the loo would have been specifically designed and is less likely to be taking up valuable space in another room.

Even then, if you ripped out the downstairs loo from a new build I wouldn't phone them up advertising but if they came to inspect something else, I doubt BC would have very much to say on the matter. They've got better things to do than enforce non-structural issues that don't exist. It's not the sort of thing that a solicitor is likely to pick up on either when selling.

Hailstorm

I don't see this fascination with houses having multiple toilets. I know this is going to make me sound like an old whinger (and I am only 32) but growing up I can only think of one family I knew that had more than one toilet and they all got by okay.

It seems as if now, particularly on newer houses, that builders are having competitions as to how many they can fit in a house. One house I viewed had more toilets (3) than bedrooms(2). In my opinion the space could definitely better been used elsewhere. You had the main bathroom, an en-suite for the main bedroom and a downstairs toilet.

The en-suite turned the second bedroom into an L-shaped room which would only have taken a single bed. If you got rid of the en-suite the second bedroom could have taken a double bed and been a proper guest room (which is what I was looking for).

The kitchen was tiny because the downstairs toilet was next to it. There wasn't even room in the kitchen for the fridge-freezer and washing machine. Both of them were under the stairs at the other end of the hallway. If the downstairs toilet wasn't there the kitchen could have been bigger and it would have accomodated the fridge'freezer and washing machine.

lincroft1710

Having lived in houses with 2 WCs then going to a house with only 1 WC, you certainly miss having 2, espec when you have guests staying. But we are back to 2 as have had GF cloakroom extension built. WCs on different floors are an advantage, so when you come to sell some buyers may be put off, but just emphasise the large kitchen!

scooter_chick

One of my friends is renovating a house at the moment, and she's installed one of these in a small space (hardly a room!) that she's using as a downstairs loo. Saves the need to find space for a basin as well as a toilet, so you may be able to find a kitchen design that lets you have both. It's a bit odd to use at first - the basin is very small & a little awkward to use, but it's a pretty neat idea!

http://www.cleverandeasy.com/Space-Saving/caroma-toilet-with-integrated-hand-basin.html

Purse_String

I don't know if you considered just adding a kitchen extention and then that would give you the best of both worlds. I know that would be a much dearer option, but it would give you a chance to redesign/update you kitchen for the future. A downstairs toilet can be handy for all circumstances. Much depends on the old finances and whether you want to stay put for a few years.
Alternatively, ask a kitchen designer to suggest ways to improve the existing layout, sometimes it needs a fresh pair of eyes. ( A good declutter is a good start and good for the soul!). Once you know what appliances/gadgets/essentials you have, you can work out if all is required is to put up a couple of shelves! Good luck.