Panic room

Postik

I think it could be a selling point but I think the point the OP was trying to make is that they don't want all and sundry knowing the house has a panic room and where it's located.  As someone else pointed out above, if it's drawn on the floor plan then it'll be online forever more for anyone and everyone to see.

I think I would keep it secret and then disclose it once an offer has been accepted and things are moving.  Yes, the sale could fall through and the buyers would then know about the room, but that's not really the same as it being disclosed on a public floor plan or any old viewer being told about it.

ProDave said:

Stop calling it a "panic room"  Call it a store room or safe room and all your concerns will go away.

I would be worried just what sort of neigbourhood I was moving to if the house needed a "panic room"

Or a historic Priest Hole?

That was my first thought, but let's say hypothetically it's a £2 million mansion, I perhaps wouldn't find it untoward that such a property would have a panic room, given the fact that it's perhaps more likely to be targeted by undesirables compared to say a 3 bed terrace.  And that could be the case even if it's out in the middle of the countryside, perhaps even more so.

R200

If it’s really secret then how did you get permissions or is it off plan illegal and that could be a worry when trying to sell?

if it’s not illegal then it will be public knowledge and any high end criminal would find out about it doing his research 

Postik

R200 said:

If it’s really secret then how did you get permissions or is it off plan illegal and that could be a worry when trying to sell?

if it’s not illegal then it will be public knowledge and any high end criminal would find out about it doing his research 

If it was built as part of the house how would someone be able to find out?  Maybe by going down to the planning office and asking to see the original plans?  That's a bit of a stretch though compared to just looking through old Zoopla or Right Move listings.

R200

That’s exactly what criminals do when planning a job. Which is why some panic rooms and such maybe off the books as it were. But this May present difficulties when selling if there are mortgages involved 

user1977

R200 said:

That’s exactly what criminals do when planning a job. Which is why some panic rooms and such maybe off the books as it were. But this May present difficulties when selling if there are mortgages involved 

I expect from a planning or building regulations point of view they can simply be non-specific internal rooms rather than have their purpose flagged up, but they would be fairly suspect to anyone who was looking for them.

theartfullodger

Devongardener said:

Surely it would be shown on the agents floor plan and be included in the total overall property square metre measurement, and also be apparent during viewings.

Exactly.  Either it's there on agent plans (maybe labelled something else..) which is for now probably OK (but what are you or agent telling viewers what it is when they come round to view..) or if not shown then surely you are misleading agent(?) and/or viewer.  What does your solicitor advise??

Time to panic..... ;-}

BungalowBel

My husband would love a Panic Room!

FreeBear

https://www.nine.com.au/property/news/homeowner-discovers-secret-panic-room-after-purchasing-their-house/9db89f07-ac88-4b46-8e78-ac4bd3b2d033

doodling

Hi,

theartfullodger said:

Devongardener said:

Surely it would be shown on the agents floor plan and be included in the total overall property square metre measurement, and also be apparent during viewings.

Exactly.  Either it's there on agent plans (maybe labelled something else..) which is for now probably OK (but what are you or agent telling viewers what it is when they come round to view..) or if not shown then surely you are misleading agent(?) and/or viewer.  What does your solicitor advise??

Time to panic..... ;-}

I am completely unaware of any cases there a buyer has successfully pursued legal action because they have discovered that the property is slightly bigger then they were lead to believe - perhaps you could reference some?  There is no obligation to show a buyer the whole house during a viewing and no general obligation to reveal stuff unless specifically asked.

The original building plans or (if required) those for any structural modifications might identify the space but they wont identify it as a panic room and there is no reliable way of getting plans for properties in the UK anyway.

The reality is that the buyer will be probably aware before purchase as their survey should pick it up.  Unless the panic room is underground (e.g. a concealed entrance to part of a cellar, or a completely concealed cellar) then I think a surveyor would be negligent if they didn't spot it.

Mildreds_Earrings

Good Question. We had a safe built into the wall, hidden by a large picture, like an Agatha Christie mystery. We told the Buyers after exchange and they were delighted.

If it's hidden and not easy to notice, for now I would keep schtum, until after contracts have exchanged. Yes it's a selling point but if you achieve the sales amount you're looking for anyway, there is no need to advertise the fact, until after contracts have been exchanged. That's my advice. 

All the best.