How big is a 1 bed flat/bungalow (council)

nightsky224

Family member needs to downsize from her 2 double bedroomed house. She wants to move location to be nearer to support and also needs to downsize as has to pay the bedroom tax.  She has been offered a 1 bed bungalow and its so small, 400ft, wetroom, kitchen, bedroom, lounge!!

I am not sure if I have too high expectations or if its because I don't know anyone in a 1 bed so have nothing to compare to or if it truly is small (its a small estate of 1 bed bungalows for over 60's)

When bidding for properties you see an outside photo but not inside and don't get dimensions so I have no idea how this compares to other properties. 
Does anyone live in a council 1 bed they would be happy to share size of/photos?

lincroft1710

If the measurement is either by the Effective Floor Area or the Net Internal Area methods then 400 sq ft is not that small for council built bungalows. I've come across many in my time and they are usually quite small.

Indigo_and_Violet

Given the reasons you describe for her move, a small home might not be the worst thing in the world. Less to have to clean/maintain as she gets older. I agree 400ft will feel small but if she's closer to family she's unlikely to have to host guests at hers.

Tiglet2

Could you check the address on the EPC Register?  That normally shows the square footage of the property.  My son's 1 bed flat is 48 square metres.

https://find-energy-certificate.service.gov.uk/find-a-certificate/search-by-postcode

Murphybear

Is your relative anywhere near state pension age?  Once they are the “bedroom tax” won’t affect them.  

nightsky224

Tiglet2 said:

Could you check the address on the EPC Register?  That normally shows the square footage of the property.  My son's 1 bed flat is 48 square metres.

https://find-energy-certificate.service.gov.uk/find-a-certificate/search-by-postcode

Thanks so much for this, so so so helpful! Will be able to compare to other places I know that are 1 beds. 

The property is 450sq ft, 42sq meters. 

Indigo_and_Violet said:

Given the reasons you describe for her move, a small home might not be the worst thing in the world. Less to have to clean/maintain as she gets older. I agree 400ft will feel small but if she's closer to family she's unlikely to have to host guests at hers.

Agree with you there a down size is def needed. 

Murphybear said:

Is your relative anywhere near state pension age?  Once they are the “bedroom tax” won’t affect them.  

Didn’t know that, she’s not far off but she still needs to move closer as needs support. 

user1977

Doesn't sound that bad. It's larger than my first flat (36 square metres).

nightsky224

user1977 said:

Doesn't sound that bad. It's larger than my first flat (36 square metres).

I think it’s hard when I’m used to being in bigger places and she has a 2 bed house to fit in to it. 

theartfullodger

Err.. when you move into a smaller place not everything will be needed, wanted or will fit.

Time to simplify possessions I'm afraid.

Good luck, always a bit of a wrench.

user1977

nightsky224 said:

user1977 said:

Doesn't sound that bad. It's larger than my first flat (36 square metres).

I think it’s hard when I’m used to being in bigger places and she has a 2 bed house to fit in to it. 

Downsizing means getting rid of stuff.

youth_leader

@nightsky224 do help your family member declutter ruthlessly.  I left a 5 bed 264 sq foot and thought I had decluttered for this 100 sq foot bungalow but am still giving things away that I paid to move here.