Build an ensuite in a flat

maihoainam

Hi everyone,
We are viewing a 3-bedroom flat, quite like it but the problem is it has only 1 bathroom. Just wondering is it easy to add an ensuite to master bedroom. The flat is on the 2nd floor, what kind of document do I need to deal with to have permission to build an ensuite.
Please find the floor plan here. https:// drive . google.com/file/d/1kEz8M5KuGF8Ng0GyOqWwCjDLq76vTBHa/view?usp=sharing
There are spaces between drive and dot(.)

Doozergirl

You can post a link that you've broken so it doesn't read as a web page. We'll then fix it.

You will need permission from the freeholder and you'll want the new ensuite to be situated near to the existing 4" soil stack, ideally, to save having to use a macerator.

davidmcn

Have you checked floor plans of similar flats to see what they've done?

maihoainam

I have checked the "Nearby Sold Prices" on Rightmove, all of them only have 1 bathroom in their flat.

MovingForwards

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kEz8M5KuGF8Ng0GyOqWwCjDLq76vTBHa/view

To save anyone else removing the spaces.

Whereabouts in the master bedroom were you putting it?

maihoainam

I am not sure where should I put it in. A little bit worried about the plumbing work. Who will involve if I want to install it? (council, building manager, downstair neighbour... ?)

diggingdude

maihoainam wrote: »

I am not sure where should I put it in. A little bit worried about the plumbing work. Who will involve if I want to install it? (council, building manager, downstair neighbour... ?)

Personally I would figure out where you are likely to put it, and then approach the freeholder for an initial opinion/idea of costs before I did anything else

Caz3121

is there any sewage/drainage pipes on the outside of the wall where you want to install the ensuite? It looks like the water/services are over the other side of the property so could end up that there is a lot of work (cost) required to do what you want to do

gwynlas

As a leaseholder you would need freeholder consent.
From the floorplan it would look difficult to get water and soil pipe across to master bedroom.

yksi

I would think you're looking at the wrong flat. If this is a purpose-built block, all the other flats will probably be the same layout, meaning there are no pipes on that side of the building. You're asking the freeholder to agree to putting piping work on the outside of the building, which will not be pretty, and which will also be expensive for you (what happens if the soil pipes have to go around the building to connect to the sewer - you'll be paying to dig up the ground all the way around the side of the building - and if there are concreted areas there, just imagine the expense!). The simple fact is that it is not in their interest to say yes. Will you be happy in that flat if you're denied and have to live with one bathroom? Look elsewhere would be my vote.

Doozergirl

yksi wrote: »

I would think you're looking at the wrong flat. If this is a purpose-built block, all the other flats will probably be the same layout, meaning there are no pipes on that side of the building. You're asking the freeholder to agree to putting piping work on the outside of the building, which will not be pretty, and which will also be expensive for you (what happens if the soil pipes have to go around the building to connect to the sewer - you'll be paying to dig up the ground all the way around the side of the building - and if there are concreted areas there, just imagine the expense!). The simple fact is that it is not in their interest to say yes. Will you be happy in that flat if you're denied and have to live with one bathroom? Look elsewhere would be my vote.

You don't need to do that. A Saniflo would be fine. Not ideal, but perfectly fine for an ensuite.

I'm not entirely convinced that the room is really big enough to warrant putting in an ensuite, though.