Washing machine in downstairs cloakroom / WC

rakoczigabi

Hi all ,
I’ve tried to look up the legislations on google , but can’t seem to find anything about this. 

I’m buying a house and in the kitchen there’s no space for a dishwasher. 

So I thought I’ll put a dishwasher where the washing machine is now. 

Then I’ll move to washing machine into the downstairs WC ( there’s only a sink and toilet). 

Is this allowed ?

Back in Hungary we have ours in the bathroom , but I heard you not allowed to do that in England. 

But what if there’s no bath / shower ?

Can I put a washing machine  there ?
I’ll call out a plumber to plum it in and get an electric socket installed. 

But I want to make sure it’s possible first. 

Thank you

Soot2006

You can have it in the bathroom in the UK but it needs to be hard wired in, I believe, rather than plugged in. Personally I see no problem with using the WC - mine is in the conservatory (which gets damp) and many people have them in the garage.  I;m sure someone more versed on actual regulations will come alone, but I'd personally just do it anyway.

neilmcl

I don't believe there's any rules preventing you from having a socket in a downstairs WC, but you need to be sensible where it's located.

Rdwill

The continentals are keen on this. My view is that it's like sharing the cr&pper with The Prodigy. 

jennifernil

I would move the basin to where you have pencilled in the washing machine and put the washing machine where the basin is.  

The room is only 1.5m deep, a WM takes 60 cm, so there would not be much space left in front of the toilet the way you have drawn it.

kdotdotdotdot

Or swap the sink and toilet, to give more access to the window in the wall.  As far as I know, there's no regulation against having a washing machine in the bathroom if you prefer it there.  Just speak to the electrician about how you plug it in because we're funny in this country about electricity in a bathroom.

theonlywayisup

In the UK we have zones in bathrooms and you need to check the measurements of anything you want to fit that would be affected by the zone it is within. 

Hasbeen

theonlywayisup said:

In the UK we have zones in bathrooms and you need to check the measurements of anything you want to fit that would be affected by the zone it is within. 

Perhaps but I believe that only applies to Bathrooms with Baths and Showers. Not to a downstairs cloakroom?

As long as the socket is "flush" LOL and away from basin. Behind washing machine is good. 

Also agree with suggestions to move basin  or get a vanity with basin above toilet set up.

Wanderingpomm

neilmcl said:

I don't believe there's any rules preventing you from having a socket in a downstairs WC, but you need to be sensible where it's located.

You cannot have a socket in the bathroom. It’s against electrical regs. The machine would need to be hardwired 

rakoczigabi

Thank you all. I’ll have a think about it and also will call out an electrician / plumber when I moved into the property. 

I spoke with a few friends who bought new builds and they have their washing machine and dryer in the downstairs loo with multiple plug sockets. 

Those houses are only 1-2 years olds, and they’ve passed all inspections. 

DiamondLil

My washing machine and dryer are in our downstairs loo. The sockets are behind the machines, away from the basin and toilet. We re-hung the door in order to give a little more space in the cloakroom. This set up has worked very well for almost forty years.