Downstairs loo

lincroft1710

As even recently built 2 beds have a downstairs loo, I'm surprised you can't find a 3 bed. My neighbours have in the past few years spent tens of thousands on their 3 bed semi. But I wouldn't swap - no downstairs loo.

strawb_shortcake

lincroft1710 said:

As even recently built 2 beds have a downstairs loo, I'm surprised you can't find a 3 bed. My neighbours have in the past few years spent tens of thousands on their 3 bed semi. But I wouldn't swap - no downstairs loo.

My Mum loves to share that their house was built in 1976, the last street to be built on the estate and the only ones to have a downstairs loo - hence why I thought it would be so easy. 

Or maybe I'm just really rubbish at trying to estimate how old houses are...

oystercatcher

I wouldn't want to use a commode or camping loo when visiting even close family. 

You may be glad of a downstairs loo yourselves as you age and knees and hips deterorate. I would keep looking. My 1960's house has a tiny cloakroom/loo and it's very useful. Two loos was on my 'essentials' list when I was house hunting. 

Slinky

How big does the loo need to be? Enough to accommodate a wheelchair bound person, or just be big enough to use because they can't get up the stairs? Are there any 1930s houses about? They often have enough space to get a loo in under the stairs if one hasn't been put there already.

Don't go down the stairlift route, they're expensive to install and pratically worthless to sell if you no longer need them, and it'll be annoyingly in the way.

strawb_shortcake

Slinky said:

How big does the loo need to be? Enough to accommodate a wheelchair bound person, or just be big enough to use because they can't get up the stairs? Are there any 1930s houses about? They often have enough space to get a loo in under the stairs if one hasn't been put there already.

Don't go down the stairlift route, they're expensive to install and pratically worthless to sell if you no longer need them, and it'll be annoyingly in the way.

It only needs to be normal size, it's just the stairs they can't really do.

SarahB16

A downstairs loo is a requirement nowadays with new builds.  From now onwards (and definitely for the next 9 years at least) we are going to see a housebuilding boom and lots of new build houses.  Three bedroom houses are also the most popular sized house to be built.

I'm not sure how much of a hurry you are to move but why don't you buy a new build that are just about to come onto the market or check out the new developments being built nearby.  Speak to the developer too and register your interest.

strawb_shortcake

SarahB16 said:

A downstairs loo is a requirement nowadays with new builds.  From now onwards (and definitely for the next 9 years at least) we are going to see a housebuilding boom and lots of new build houses.  Three bedroom houses are also the most popular sized house to be built.

I'm not sure how much of a hurry you are to move but why don't you buy a new build that are just about to come onto the market or check out the new developments being built nearby.  Speak to the developer too and register your interest.

We had considered a new build, but in our area we probably couldn't get a new build with a garage within budget, however we had planned to go and speak with some of the newer developments and see if it is possible

bouicca21

Friend installed downstairs loo in Edwardian house, essentially in the cupboard under the stairs.  Needed to use microbore piping and gets anxious about blockages. So far the only problem has been from  dental floss.

Silvertabby

Downstairs loos were compulsory in 2 or more storey newbuilds from 2008.  In the case of very small houses, the loos could only be shoe-horned into a tiny space leading directly off the lounge or kitchen.  Totally yuck, so understandable that some people had them removed.

So, the option of re-fitting a previously removed loo may not be acceptable to OP.

Emmia

Silvertabby said:

Downstairs loos were compulsory in 2 or more storey newbuilds from 2008.  In the case of very small houses, the loos could only be shoe-horned into a tiny space leading directly off the lounge or kitchen.  Totally yuck, so understandable that some people had them removed.

So, the option of re-fitting a previously removed loo may not be acceptable to OP.

It might be Yuck to some, but I'd rather a second downstairs loo in those places to none at all.