Converting a bedroom into two smaller ones

Sinbad

We have recently extended one of our two bedrooms - it is now 18’ 6” long and 11’ 6” wide. Our other bedroom is 14’ 1” by 12’ 9”

Whilst that give us a good size room, the thinking is to maybe convert it into two separate bedrooms. Rough sizes would be:

Bedroom A 9’ 3” by 11’ 6”
Bedroom B 8’ 10” by 11’ 6”

There is just the two us living here (we’ve down sized after the family have all gone). Our thinking is that if we were to move again, we would have adding value to the property by now having a three bed property as opposed to two.

Is our thinking correct or flawed?

BTW, the property is a chalet bungalow 8 miles outside of Dorchester in Dorset.

Thought / comments?

eddddy

I would do this... Contact one or two or three local estate agents and say

"We're thinking of moving in the near future, so we'd like an idea of what our property is worth, and whether it would be worth more if we divided a bedroom."

The local EAs will probably know much more about local demand and saleabilty than people here will.

Doozergirl

I would think that's you're almost certainly correct.

That's a huge bedroom, perfectly good as two and opens it to a larger market and provides flexibility.

theartfullodger

Sinbad wrote: »

....
Whilst that give us a good size room, the thinking is to maybe convert it into two separate bedrooms. Rough sizes would be:

Bedroom A 9’ 3” by 11’ 6”
Bedroom B 8’ 10” by 11’ 6”
......

You may find any agent you speak to is unaware (funny that) of the overcrowding laws (Housing Act 1985)
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1985/68/part/X
- see
https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/repairs/overcrowding

Floor area

The minimum floor area considered enough for your family is:

• 50 - 69 square feet (4.6 - 6.4 square metres) for 0.5 people
• 70 - 89 square feet (6.5 - 8.3 square metres) for 1 person
• 90 - 109 square feet (8.4 -10.1 square metres) for 1.5 people
• 110 square feet (10.2 square metres) for 2 people

Your proposed rooms are 106.375 & 102.46 sw ft respectively, only suitable for 1.5 people or fewer (ie not double room). 0.5 of a person? Child between 1 & 10..

But, yes, perfectly acceptable & sensible plan. I'd do it...

Tom99

[FONT=Tahoma, sans-serif]It certainly sounds feasible, particularly if the new bedrooms each have their own doorway to a hall.[/FONT]

daivid

theartfullodger wrote: »

You may find any agent you speak to is unaware (funny that) of the overcrowding laws (Housing Act 1985)

With the overcrowding based on floor space regulations do they not apply to the cumulative total floor space of all potential sleeping rooms? i.e. bedrooms, lounge, study... as long as each of those rooms is more than 50sq feet (and not a kitchen, bathroom etc). So for plans like the OPs as long as there is other space in the house all is fine.

TBagpuss

eddddy wrote: »

I would do this... Contact one or two or three local estate agents and say

"We're thinking of moving in the near future, so we'd like an idea of what our property is worth, and whether it would be worth more if we divided a bedroom."

The local EAs will probably know much more about local demand and saleabilty than people here will.

I think this is the best advice. The 2 rooms would be fairly small so it depends a bit on what your target market is likely to be - a family with children might appreciate the separate rooms, retired people wanting a guest room may prefer the more spacious room + a guest room.

A lot will also depend on layout. Would the new rooms both have access to the landing/hallway? As it is a chalet bungalow, are these rooms upstairs or down? What other space is there?

Doozergirl

The extra space could be good as a dressing room or ensuite.

Perhaps also a double room and a separate office space if the door could be placed on the length of it, rather than a room that looks like a tunnel. Even made to be an office/library in part of the hall.

teddysmum

It's unlikely that someone would want three bedrooms each for two adults ,so one double and two suitable for children/single occupancy should be fine.

D00gie72

FWIW...... I would say live in it as it is. You only say you MAY move in the future - so why are you worried about re-sale value now? Just use the property for what you need - worry about re-sale value WHEN you are about to sell.

lincroft1710

daivid wrote: »

With the overcrowding based on floor space regulations do they not apply to the cumulative total floor space of all potential sleeping rooms? i.e. bedrooms, lounge, study... as long as each of those rooms is more than 50sq feet (and not a kitchen, bathroom etc). So for plans like the OPs as long as there is other space in the house all is fine.

The correct answer