Ground Floor apartment - yes or no?

breadlinebetty

princeofpounds wrote: »

Again not a problem as long as the area is pleasant enough. Sometimes it is a good idea to have a way of securing the windows (metal shutter or similar).

Funny how some people freak out about ground floor flats but are happy enough to live in a house which is ground-floor exposed!

Very good point you made there! If anything, you're safer in a ground floor flat rather than a house, as at least you're more likely to hear an intruder and be able to call for help than if you're asleep upstairs in a house and someone breaks in through the ground floor.....

breadlinebetty

niceguyed wrote: »

I'd disagree with some on here and say a ground floor apartment is less secure. It is quicker and easier for a burglar to gain access and also exit with goods. From a rental perspective the flat I let (1st floor) receives the same income as the ground floor ones so that wouldn't worry me.

I'd agree some people like the convenience of ground floor. No stairs or lifts to bother with. Some people like the privacy of being higher up. So some pros and cons. But it wouldn't overly concern me to invest in a ground floor flat. I'd be more worried by the asking price, what other flats in the area let for, yield, service charge/ground rent, management company. Good luck.

Actually, a house is more insecure as people are usually asleep upstairs so leaving the downstairs vacant at night. On top of that, you often have not just front, but also side and back entrances to a house - making it even easier for an intruder to enter downstairs and get away with all your goodies in the lounge etc....

mynameisclare

lilac_lady wrote: »

I think the fact that the flat has it's own door without having to go through a common entrance would be a big asset.

Absolutely, that would outweigh any disadvantages from being on the ground floor for me (all other things being equal).

I live in a rented ground floor flat, and it has those windows that you can lock slightly open, so you can have some fresh air getting in but it's still secure.

rentergirl

It is less secure, but access can be a useful selling (renting...) point. Is it wheelchair friendly? Would you let to someone who is unsteady on their feet or elderly? And make sure the widnows are secure but can be opened in the summer is a good tip.

niceguyed

breadlinebetty wrote: »

Actually, a house is more insecure as people are usually asleep upstairs so leaving the downstairs vacant at night. On top of that, you often have not just front, but also side and back entrances to a house - making it even easier for an intruder to enter downstairs and get away with all your goodies in the lounge etc....

I'm comparing ground floor flat with those above not a house. Keep up.

For instance in the complex where I let mine out there is a brick perimeter wall. On a couple of the ground floor flats this obscures the view to the downstairs bathroom windows so it is not visible from the street. In some apartment blocks there is extra security to gain access to the upstairs floors (a key or code is needed for the door or lift).

Old_Git

i suppose the problem with a ground floor flat is you will hear the neighbours above you ,more than they will hear you .
So you know when the neighbours put the washing machine on or when they are having sex ect

carefullycautious

I love my GF flat but you are at the mercy of the upstairs neighbours. If they decide to throw things around or stamp about just as you are trying to sleep there is nothing you can do about it.

However, it is great with no stairs and having access to the garden.

olly300

Old_Git wrote: »

i suppose the problem with a ground floor flat is you will hear the neighbours above you ,more than they will hear you .
So you know when the neighbours put the washing machine on or when they are having sex ect

It depends on when the flat was planned.

In a modern flat that was planned after 2000 you shouldn't be able to hear your neighbours, even though you can hear people clearly in the next room or on the toilet.

With older properties it's a case of having a good look at how they are constructed. You may find that while you cannot hear your neighbours above or below you, you can hear neighbours in the flat next to or adjacent to you due to the design of the building.

msb89

Thank you for all you replies, some good opinions, the apartment was only built in the last couple of years, so hopefully I shouldn't experience too much noise from the above apartment.

BigAunty

Didn't like living on the ground floor though a separate entrance is a plus. Don't get me started on the joys of communal entrances (stolen post, dirt, noise).

Found that if other flat's visitors didn't get a response, they would buzz me on the intercom, shout up at the upper flat and even tap on my window if I ignored it.

Had someone, presumably a local alcoholic, who used to throw their empties into my garden and also sometimes I suspected the upper flat dwellers of throwing their fag butts and litter out.

Also the sound proofing was poor - it was even possible to hear the guy upstairs having a wee...(their loo above my bed).

Suffered a leak when the tenant upstairs did a moonlight flit and a bucket they had under a leaking pipe became full and overflowed.

I would never live in a ground floor property again unless I had mobility problems and even then, I think I'd probably prefer to get a house and just not use the upper storey for a bit of peace, quiet and greater cleanliness.