strange house layouts

kunekune

I am often amazed at the lack of thought that has gone into the layout of houses. For example, so many new builds have a 'third bedroom' which is on the ground floor next to the garage. OK for trustworthy teenagers perhaps (unless they have a penchant for midnight wandering) but what parent would put a younger child so far away? But it isn't only new builds. I spotted this house, which has clearly been extended by amateurs, in stages.

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/viewdetails-16677289.rsp?pa_n=1&tr_t=buy

neverdespairgirl

Perhaps if a grandparent, or au pair is living there, it might come in handy? Or a lodger? But for young children, I agree it wouldn't be great.

Debt_Free_Chick

The whole layout is strange!!

There is no bathroom for the second bedroom on the first floor.


Looks like a badly planned extension. They've extended the ground floor, but not the first floor. It looks like they've extended the GF twice - once to add the lounge/conservatory and again to add the entrance hall and bedroom, on the left of the GF floorplan.

I have to admit, it wouldn't appeal to me. I'd want to extend upwards and that might mean planning issues and/or demolishing one of the existing GF extensions.

Very odd ... I agree

PasturesNew

It might be great for a family where a member of that family were physically disabled too.

While the point about extending upwards is valid for many, for some when they buy a house they're already stretched and won't ever be changing it.

The issue I have is that they should have knocked out some walls. That kitchen is depressing.

Badger_Lady

It's also great if you are disabled but like to have room for family / friends to visit. My Great Aunt has been using a wheelchair most of her life, but her children were fine to sleep upstairs. This particular one looks like it was originally a bungalow (judging by neighbouring properties), so it's not unusual to have at least one ground floor bedroom.

It does also give you flexibility if you want to use the rooms for something else - they will of course be advertised as bedrooms because it increases the perceived value - but if you want a gym, study or music room, for example, it's much nicer to have these downstairs.

My house is 3-storey (1920s), so I've got 3 bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs, and kitchen/diner and living room downstairs. But I've also got 3 rooms on the middle floor that you can use as bedrooms or (in my case) extra living space. Personally, I far prefer it to a prescribed "conventional" layout!

PasturesNew

I looked it up in 3D

If you go to http://www.aboutmyplace.co.uk
Type in the postcode HX3 7BT
Click on "birds eye view"
There is a black car parked on the road outside the house.
Double-click to zoom in
You will find it.

This started off as a bungalow. They added the 2-storey parts.

susieb

I think all new builds have to have a room on the downstairs that could be a bedroom (eg dining or study) this is to do with building regs that they have to be disabled access.

PasturesNew

susieb wrote: »

I think all new builds have to have a room on the downstairs that could be a bedroom (eg dining or study) this is to do with building regs that they have to be disabled access.

This is tying my brain in knots trying to work that one out.

A house either has or hasn't got a room. There isn't much middle ground. And any room can be a bedroom by chucking a bed in it.

What you are saying would seem to indicate that all new builds with open plan living/kitchen areas would be illegal.

PasturesNew

glastowinebar wrote: »

Sorry going off topic here, but why can you get a birds eye view on this property and not on others? ( like my house )

Because your house is small and poor. And they only show worthy houses



The answer is because they are building it up over time and have therefore concentrated efforts on large towns and other popular areas first. Maximum interest/return for the least effort.

Debt_Free_Chick

susieb wrote: »

I think all new builds have to have a room on the downstairs that could be a bedroom (eg dining or study) this is to do with building regs that they have to be disabled access.

Are you sure ....?

Disable access, AFAIK, only applies to buildings which are open to the general public. There is no requirement for any of us to offer easy access for the disabled to our private homes.

Existing properties may well get a more sympathetic view from the Planning Authority, if they adapt an existing building to cater for a disabled resident. But no-one is under any obligation to do so.

Any house being marketed now does not need to be "disabled friendly".

Indeed, I've built an extension within the past two years and there was no mention of any "disabled friendly" features from Planning or Building Regs.

Perhaps you're thinking of Public buildings, rather than private residential homes?

arnie&caseysma!

Mt friend built her house about 4 years ago and had to have a ramp for disabled access to at least one of the external doors.....it seems to be the way that you need disabled facilites now before plans for new builds are approved.