Minimum Bedroom Size

dkb

Hi
In light of this

http://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Minimum_bedroom_size_proposals

What if you already rent a property to a family who use the third bedroom as a babies room? Are you supposed to tell them "sorry, I'm not allowed to let you live here anymore"?

Also, when I bought the house I bought it as a three bed. The third room was above 5.8sq m. Now the third bedroom does not meet the requirements as its under 6.5sq m.

When I come to sell Would I have to sell it as a 2 bed and if so why is the government not liable for my loss of value? Their change in legislation could mean a lot of people lose a lot of money could it not?

All very unsettling.

phill99

You don't understand the article.

These are only PROPOSALS. ie a suggestion. They are not mandatory. Therefore they have no bearing whatsoever on your current situation.

IF they are introduced they will only be applicable to rented properties. If you sell it with vacant possession, they will not apply. Therefore your suggestion that the government should be liable for loss of value is non-arguement.

Are you sure you should be a landlord?

anselld

As far as I can see the proposals only relate to licensed HMOs (for which the definition is expanding). They would not affect a family let.

dkb

Well maybe I'm asking questions because I'm not understanding what could happen?

Should I be a landlord? The alternative is I have an empty house so I'll give it a go and if I misunderstand any more articles I'll give you a shout.

Addiscomber

I heard about this on the radio. Whilst at the moment it seems to be in respect of HMO, I wondered about selling in future as the smallest bedroom in our semi is only 6ft by 9ft so under the proposed limit. As you say loads of people would suddenly find that their homes are a bedroom less than they bought it as.

davidmcn

Note the bit in bold.

The ideas, introduced in a discussion paper, would allow local authorities in England to ban rooms from being let as bedrooms where they are smaller than 6.5 sq m (70 sq ft).

i.e. HMOs, not where you're letting the whole house.

Anyway, babies don't count (see section 326 of the Housing Act 1985), and you can get away with smaller rooms where children are under 10.

dkb

Addiscomber wrote: »

I heard about this on the radio. Whilst at the moment it seems to be in respect of HMO, I wondered about selling in future as the smallest bedroom in our semi is only 6ft by 9ft so under the proposed limit. As you say loads of people would suddenly find that their homes are a bedroom less than they bought it as.

That's my concern. What's to stop whoever saying it's only a 2 bed now because the third room doesn't meet minimum size.

Thrugelmir

dkb wrote: »

What if you already rent a property to a family who use the third bedroom as a babies room? Are you supposed to tell them "sorry, I'm not allowed to let you live here anymore"?

Also, when I bought the house I bought it as a three bed. The third room was above 5.8sq m. Now the third bedroom does not meet the requirements as its under 6.5sq m.

The article refers to "shared" properties. Where the room provided is the only living space available. Nothing to do with family homes.

dkb

Thanks for all your replies.

SailorSam

My smallest room is only 9'x6'. It was only used as a junk room so basically a waste of space. I converted into an office. I thought when the time comes that i want to sell it should add value 'cos lots of people today are self employed and work from home, or even like the idea of a separate hobby room.

phill99

SailorSam wrote: »

My smallest room is only 9'x6'. It was only used as a junk room so basically a waste of space. I converted into an office. I thought when the time comes that i want to sell it should add value 'cos lots of people today are self employed and work from home, or even like the idea of a separate hobby room.

Is nobody getting this? The article relates only to tenanted houses. It does NOT relate to owner occupation or selling of houses.

Is there a problem with understanding this concept?