Converting 1 bedroom flat to 2 bedroom

dh1981

I'm not sure if this is the right forum, or if there is anywhere more suitable.


3 years ago I bought my council home - 1 bedroom flat. That'll get me in enough trouble on here...ready for the abuse.


Anyway...since then (actually just before, but already in buying process) I met my oh, he has moved in and we now have a baby. The space is ok for us at the moment, and we aren't planning on moving for about a year when planning another baby. But - I really don't want the bother of renting the flat out. The tenants, the agent, the tax. I don't want any of it. I just want to stay here for another few years until we're ready to move on, but 1 bedroom is just not big enough for 2 adults and 2 kids.


Has anyone got any experience of converting a 1 bedroom to a 2 bedroom?


My idea is to make the current living room into an open planned kitchen/living area, and then make the current kitchen and storage cupboard into a separate bedroom. I'm going to try to add a floor plan so it's easier to see what I mean.


The flat is approx. 47m2, is this big enough for a 2 bed?
The living/kitchen area would be 4.57m x 3.56m and the 2nd bedroom would be 2.06m x 3.56m. Do those dimensions seem workable?


The new bedroom area currently contains the gas meter and boiler, so I assume we'd have to get those moved to another room - probably expensive.


I'm not too worried about adding value to the property, as long as it doesn't cost more than it adds. This is assuming the plans would even be approved by the council, who need informing when I change a cupboard door!


Any advice would be appreciated

Owain_Moneysaver

Gas boiler can be in a bedroom provided it's a room-sealed type. Most modern ones are.

You may require planning permission as you're increasing the occupancy density, you will require building regulations permission and in a flat you will need your freeholder's permission.

You will have to check specifically that the existing window is big enough for the combined kitchen and storeroom area.

If you only bought the flat three years ago there may be restrictions on renting it if you bought it through right-to-buy.

sevenhills

Lots of wasted space when you walk thru the front door. Could you swap rooms? Make the bedroom into the living room, and split the reception room in two, creating two bedrooms.
Kitchen and storage room, turn into one big kitchen?

Mardle

Cheapest option would be to use the living room as your bedroom by fitting a drop down bed.

phill99

Mardle wrote: »

Cheapest option would be to use the living room as your bedroom by fitting a drop down bed.

Oh God No.

-taff

What are the two little bits with doors for?


I made my studio into a 1 bed, didn't need permission because I wasn't changing anything structurally, just adding a plasterboard wall. There's a difference between making structural alterations and adding a structure.
Check what your lease says.


Check that you can have the boiler in the bedroom, for venting etc. The gas meter doesn't need to be moved.
If you move the kitchen are you going to have any problems with getting rid of waste water?

lewishardwick

15'x12' kitchen/living space for two adults and two young children (and associated paraphernalia)?

I'd either put baby plans on hold or move sooner!

System

You're right not to be worried about adding value to that.... I can't see where you are going to fit in anything reasonable as a bedroom without seriously compromising the place - off the top of my head 47m2 is average for a one bed and a two bed would be averaging around 60m2

dh1981

Thanks everyone.
We!!!8217;re still undecided and probably won!!!8217;t look at it properly until later in the year.

I!!!8217;d rather compromise on space than put baby plans on hold...I!!!8217;m not that young so would feel awful if I left it too late just because I wanted a little more space.

Renting is allowed by the council, but I!!!8217;m not keen. Everything that goes with it is just so unappealing.

Using living room as a bedroom is the most sensible, and cheapest, solution. I!!!8217;m not sure I could cope with that though! There is so much storage space in here that I think we could make the conversion work, so the main blockers would be council (freeholder) allowing it, and potential cost.

dh1981

-taff wrote: »

What are the two little bits with doors for?


I made my studio into a 1 bed, didn't need permission because I wasn't changing anything structurally, just adding a plasterboard wall. There's a difference between making structural alterations and adding a structure.
Check what your lease says.


Check that you can have the boiler in the bedroom, for venting etc. The gas meter doesn't need to be moved.
If you move the kitchen are you going to have any problems with getting rid of waste water?

They’re all things we need to look at. I’d definitely rather move the boiler and meter, but unsure how difficult the waste will be.