Downstairs toilet in kitchen, can I knock it down?

Doozergirl

Jeepers_Creepers said:

Fair do's Doozer, but I'm pretty sure Lars will be aware of his family's and friends' needs too, and will be giving that consideration.

He may possibly have a house that has a loo for 'regs' reasons, whereas countless others have none downstairs, so he has to keep that loo in case a disabled person comes knocking?

Come on.

It wasn't you suggesting that they took those needs into consideration. You told them to think about themselves at this point in time only.  

Countless houses don't have downstairs loos because indoor loos weren't a thing for a long time, and when they were, they didn't consider people that weren't fully able bodied.  Anywhere.  Life is still awkward for the disabled, we haven't moved forward that much. 

Older houses not having them is no justification for ripping out toilets that have been placed there specifically to be accessible.  We need to move forward, not back.   

If the loo was absolutely massive, I'd consider the Part M guidance for openings etc to see if sensitive changes could be made, but also at how the space could be multi-use, as someone has already mentioned.   

Jeepers_Creepers

Doozergirl said:

 Life is still awkward for the disabled, we haven't moved forward that much. 

Older houses not having them is no justification for ripping out toilets that have been placed there specifically to be accessible.  We need to move forward, not back.   

Yup - you're right.

silvercar

rach_k said:... At my childhood home, the downstairs loo was off the kitchen but we also had the tumble dryer and shelving in there so it was a really useful space.

Am I the only one that finds it a bit Yuk for the the fresh laundry to share a small space with a toilet?

Rosa_Damascena

silvercar said:

rach_k said:... At my childhood home, the downstairs loo was off the kitchen but we also had the tumble dryer and shelving in there so it was a really useful space.

Am I the only one that finds it a bit Yuk for the the fresh laundry to share a small space with a toilet?

You are not alone.

Hasbeen

Doozergirl said:

Hasbeen said:

Lar4893 said:

Hi, we have just bought our first house together in wales. We have a downstairs toilet in the kitchen, for us this is a wasted space and we would rather a bigger kitchen.
Is there any regulations stopping us doing this?
Our estate agents doesn't and hasn't heard of anythong stopping us from going ahead. 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks. 

If as you say the actual toilet is in the kitchen? Next to kitchen units washing machine?
Then these days not allowed. LOL.

It has been allowed for so many years since it wasn't.   At least 15 from my own learned experience and probably since the 1999 rules on accessibility.  

LOL did not know that. I was initially brought up in a 3 room house, Front bedroom with front door, Sitting room in middle, and kitchen with toilet, no baths showers then. 

But thought things had changed that you could not have an open toilet etc, in kitchens next to units appliances.

But handy if you needed to go and still watch the pots boil?   

Emmia

Rosa_Damascena said:

silvercar said:

rach_k said:... At my childhood home, the downstairs loo was off the kitchen but we also had the tumble dryer and shelving in there so it was a really useful space.

Am I the only one that finds it a bit Yuk for the the fresh laundry to share a small space with a toilet?

You are not alone.

It's quite common to see a washing machine in the loo / bathroom in some places. 

I wouldn't have a loo with a food larder/pantry though.

Jeepers_Creepers

Rools used to be that you needed a 'corridor' - ie, 2 doors - between the kitchen and loo. No longer - but you do need a damned good extractor.

Earplugs are good too.

Davesnave

silvercar said:

rach_k said:... At my childhood home, the downstairs loo was off the kitchen but we also had the tumble dryer and shelving in there so it was a really useful space.

Am I the only one that finds it a bit Yuk for the the fresh laundry to share a small space with a toilet?

On the continent it happens all the time, doesn't it?

I think it depends how the 'small' space is arranged and if there are adequate surface areas above floor level.

It also matters who cleans the loo... and how often!

unforeseen

Jeepers_Creepers said:

Earplugs are good too.

Nothing worse than sitting on the loo and being able to hear people preparing dinner

Rosa_Damascena

unforeseen said:

Jeepers_Creepers said:

Earplugs are good too.

Nothing worse than sitting on the loo and being able to hear people preparing dinner

I can't imagine its much fun for those in the kitchen either. Hence my downstairs loo is going to be fully segregated.