Get rid of toilet in new build

[putitdown356]

About to move in to a 3 bed new build, one bathroom and one en suite upstairs, with a loo downstairs.

I want to get rid of downstairs loo and put a washing machine and dryer in there.

I live on my own. If I don't do this washing machine will go in kitchen and dryer im not sure where it could go. Does this sound like a mistake? Or would you also do this?

If you are going to live there for the foreseeable future do what you want. If you are going to possibly sell in 5-10 years not having a downstairs toilet will put people off. The two main things I look for are a downstairs loo and bath in the main bathroom.

Definitely keep downstairs loo - when people visit they'll have to use ensuite.

How about turning one of the bedrooms into a laundry/utility room? We had this in one house, it was fantastic

"Or could you convert it (main bathroom) to a shower room and have space for a stacked washer drier?"

Exactly what I did in a previous house. It worked very well.

@naemates one bedroom will be with a small double bed and my clothes in built in wardrobe. The other will have a desk and be an office.

Harsh. It isn't the town planners who want this stuff. Its the developers who prices by 'style, then number of beds and bathrooms, and max out each plot into imparctical designs. Planners have to use the National Planning Policy guidance and are very restricted in what they can refuse.

I wonder how this is even allowed?
Its not allowed where I live (central Europe). There has to be two doors between a living space and a toilet, excluding en-suits I think.

Correct, it’s in something you sign when you exchange with 99% of developers, no extensions/conservatories etc for 5 years, ours is the same

I thank every day for my downstairs loo, im having a lot of surgery lately and cant get up the stairs. If I didnt have a downstairs loo Id be fecked. I was perfectly fit and well 7 months ago.

OP, I think capping it off and converting to a washer/drying space is a good idea FOR YOU! You want to keep your en suite and if you don't have other room upstairs for a washing/drying space then this is the obvious solution. Having or not having a d/s loo depends on a person's lifestyle so if you think using the loo space differently will work for you, go for it! As others have said, once you can re fit the loo if needed then you are good to go I think.

Best of luck.

@RB68 The only people I coming round are close family and 2/3 girlfriends that will come and stay. So im happy with them going upstairs using main bathroom or my en suite if needed.

I guess if on the odd occasion any tradespeople ever need the loo they will have to go upstairs, but that doesn't really bother me.

Allowed to?
Its not a planning issue unless your property has been specifically designed as a lifetime home.
If you don’t know then it’s easy to tell. Is there level entry to all external spaces, ie no step at the front door and is the toilet big enough to accommodate a wheelchair.

If not then you can do what you like with the internal layout and accommodation. There’s no one and no need to ask

I think it’s a silly idea, a downstairs toilet is useless to you now and when you sell

Wow, what are you walls made of, newspaper?

It’s not a requirement in building regs here. Assume OP you are UK based

I did this in my old place, a two-bedroom London maisonette. I put the new boiler in what used to be the downstairs loo, plus the washing machine, and some storage. It was great because you could never hear the washing machine.

When it came time to sell, one viewer said they didn't want it specifically because there was only the one loo. But the next viewer said they were fine with that, and offered on it. They didn't end up buying it, but in fact it sold pretty quickly.

I will never get rid of a downstairs toilet. Trust me, you don't want to be running up the stairs when you want to have a wee.

Can you buy a washer/dryer you can fit in your kitchen?

In terms of resale, you'd be surprised how many people want a 2nd loo.

I know young couples as FTB who discounted any house with only one loo, bearing in mind bringing up a child, potty training, and of course guests.
And of course anyone who visits who has mobility issues or may have at some point.

The more loos the better!

@StandingSideBySide external area is level but garden is on a slope. Toilet definitely couldn't fit a wheelchair, upstairs bathroom is 5.08 metre sq .

There is a step out to garden from double back doors so that sounds like not a lifetime home? im not sure.

This.

@StandingSideBySide yes uk, southwest.

New builds have ,legally, to have a loo door wide enough for a wheelchair.

At mid 40s don't get rid of it. You will regret it in ten years.

@Alondra ive always heard washer/dryers were a bit rubbish?

Losing the loo will devalue your house.

It's a no-brainer.

Why can't you get a washer-dryer in the kitchen?

Not if you buy upmarket models like Miele.