Moving bathroom upstairs....do I need Building regs?

Roonie2710

Hi all,

Wondering if anyone could offer some advice.

We own a very old (approx 150 year old) stone cottage and we want to move the downstairs bathroom upstairs. As we already have a separate toilet upstairs we would be looking to have the bathroom with just a bath, shower and sink in it (no toilet, so no soil pipe needed). The drainage won’t be a problem as it’s directly above the kitchen but obviously am aware that we will have to strengthen the floor below to allow for the extra weight. Therefore I ask -

a) We needed building regs to move the bathroom to the floor above because of electric/plumbing issues? and
b) do we “need” to keep a downstairs toilet? As I know for current new builds (after 1999 I believe) you need to have a certain amount of toilets per habitual rooms but as our cottage is old is this necessary to adhere to?

Many thanks J

dumpallhere

a) See also Kitchens and Bathrooms.

martinsurrey

Roonie2710 wrote: »

Hi all,

Wondering if anyone could offer some advice.

We own a very old (approx 150 year old) stone cottage and we want to move the downstairs bathroom upstairs. As we already have a separate toilet upstairs we would be looking to have the bathroom with just a bath, shower and sink in it (no toilet, so no soil pipe needed). The drainage won’t be a problem as it’s directly above the kitchen but obviously am aware that we will have to strengthen the floor below to allow for the extra weight. Therefore I ask -

a) We needed building regs to move the bathroom to the floor above because of electric/plumbing issues? and
b) do we “need” to keep a downstairs toilet? As I know for current new builds (after 1999 I believe) you need to have a certain amount of toilets per habitual rooms but as our cottage is old is this necessary to adhere to?

Many thanks J

Dumpallhere's link and the detail behind it will yell you everything but in short

Yes you need building regulations - for the structural work, drainage, ventilation etc.

Yes you need to keep a downstairs toilet. You cannot make your house any less compliant with the building regulations than it is now. a WC on the ground floor (not exact wording but the general jist) is a requirement of building regs, so you cannot remove yours.

Roonie2710

Many thanks for your replies

also another quick point, as the bathroom is currently within the kitchen, do you need to have a certain number of doors between downstairs WC and kitchen?

Thannks

Prothet_of_Doom

Personally ? Do what you want. Who is to know ? OR CARE. It's not structural, and as long as the pipe work is earthed correctly, so that it's safe, and there are no sockets in the bathroom, then what's the problem ?

Okay, maybe the joints might need reinforcment but not a problem.


What else are you planning to bring to latest European standards ?

Always useful to have a loo on the ground floor, but if you can find a better use for the space, just do it.

cyclonebri1

Prothet_of_Doom wrote: »

Personally ? Do what you want. Who is to know ? OR CARE. It's not structural, and as long as the pipe work is earthed correctly, so that it's safe, and there are no sockets in the bathroom, then what's the problem ?

Okay, maybe the joints might need reinforcment but not a problem.


What else are you planning to bring to latest European standards ?

Always useful to have a loo on the ground floor, but if you can find a better use for the space, just do it.

If I'd said that I would have been flayed alive:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:;);)

At times too much is made of legislation on here, but, your post is poor.

You don't concede to the fact that the op would have stepped outside the regs, he/she would have no comeback for any "near" future issues.

If that suits them them fine, take your advice and "cheat" the system and let the next owner suffer.

Unless of course some nice new neighbour reports them to the council.:A

Roonie2710

Thanks for all your replies, to save myself any confusion I just spoke with a gentleman in Building Control (joys of working for the Council) who advised that I don't need building regs but simply a Building Notice saying I intend to carry out the works and they will do a site visit once commenced. With regards to having a toilet downstairs, he said this is not necessary in an old property and if he was me to just remove the current set-up and put a toilet under the stairs or something if we wanted a downstairs loo!

martinsurrey

Roonie2710 wrote: »

Thanks for all your replies, to save myself any confusion I just spoke with a gentleman in Building Control (joys of working for the Council) who advised that I don't need building regs but simply a Building Notice saying I intend to carry out the works and they will do a site visit once commenced. With regards to having a toilet downstairs, he said this is not necessary in an old property and if he was me to just remove the current set-up and put a toilet under the stairs or something if we wanted a downstairs loo!

good move,

fyi a building notice IS building regulations, it just means that they wont see plans before you start, but you still have to meet the same conditions and rules.

good luck and dont stress, my building control inspector was more laid back than me (and I'm almost vertical at times), for the same project you are doing.