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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

No basin in the only loo?

83 replies

Feminine · 15/12/2014 19:09

Am I being unreasonable to think this can't be okay in 2014?
We have an option of a 'swap' (social housing) anyway... There is just one loo, one loo minus a Basin! The bathroom is upstairs. It is a council property built in 1958. Is it legal Anymore? Should the council put one in? I am also prepared to sort this out ourselves but... I think it strange they haven't updated? It isn't a deal breaker, but l think it us seriously unhygienic. Isn't it? Thank you all.

OP posts:
Shedding · 15/12/2014 20:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Feminine · 15/12/2014 20:11

another are you talking about a basin?

OP posts:
PianoSlayer · 15/12/2014 20:12

This is what it looks like - I think it's a great idea

No basin in the only loo?
Original poster
Feminine · 15/12/2014 20:13

That is what l was thinking shedding :)

OP posts:
Original poster
Feminine · 15/12/2014 20:14

You are right piano looks perfect.

OP posts:
Spartak · 15/12/2014 20:14

I'm another one who grew up with the basin in another room. All the houses on our 1950s estate were the same. Meant that when my dad was taking his daily dump the rest of us were able to clean our teeth before school.

Original poster
Feminine · 15/12/2014 20:18

Grin spartak l think it is the different floor issue that is bothering me. Well was bothering me, ( l should say) l feel a bit more positive now.

OP posts:
Spartak · 15/12/2014 20:24

Could you keep some alcohol gel stuff in a pump dispenser on top of the loo?

MEgirl · 15/12/2014 20:31

We have a toilet upstairs with a tiny sink and one under the stairs with a tiny sink. Both are rarely used. Upstairs toilet users go next door to the bathroom and downstairs users usually use the kitchen sink. If I could change the downstairs one to a better size I would as it is nicer for visitors but I'm not bothered by the upstairs one at all.

LST · 15/12/2014 20:33

We have a bathroom with a loo and a loo downstairs with no basin. We just use the kitchen sink. We haven't died yet.

Original poster
Feminine · 15/12/2014 20:33

I will use the gel, yes. I had heard it doesn't kill germs like hot soapy water though? Anyway, it is better than nothing!

OP posts:
carabos · 15/12/2014 20:34

Our house is like this. One loo on the half landing, bathroom in the attic, kitchen downstairs. Ive asked the landlord a thousand times to install a basin in the loo but he wont. I hate it.

Original poster
Feminine · 15/12/2014 20:37

It is actually comforting to hear of all your different set ups... And that you are all living to tell the tale... ;)

OP posts:
MinceSpy · 15/12/2014 20:37

It is old fashioned but not illegal. To be fair you are being offered social housing which isn't as expensive as private rental. If you accept you have two choices; 1. Put a tiny handbasin in. 2. Go in to bathroom to wash hands and sanitize door handle daily.

Spartak · 15/12/2014 20:40

The only thing it doesn't kill is c-diff. Gets rid of virtually everything else.

Oldraver · 15/12/2014 20:40

Its quite normal for a house of that age and many would of been modernised to our modern day standards, so a toilet with no near basin seems antiquated now.

Original poster
Feminine · 15/12/2014 20:41

Yes mince that is true... Very true. :)

OP posts:
LST · 15/12/2014 20:41

Mincespy that's not necessarily true. Our ch is basically the same as private rent around here. It depends on the area.

Original poster
Feminine · 15/12/2014 20:44

spartak so we'd be covered toilet wise then? Guess l could ask the kids to do hand gel, then upstairs to wash...

OP posts:
Original poster
Feminine · 15/12/2014 20:45

I am already in social housing. A housing association home. The prospective property is still council maintained.

OP posts:
elephantspoo · 15/12/2014 20:58

As far as I am aware, you cannot sell or rent out a property with a loo in it that does not have a cold water running WHB. There is no requirement for a second loo to have hot running water, but there is a requirement for it to have a basin with cold running water, and on the grounds that there is already a stack (waste) in there servicing the loo, and cold water filling the flush, it is an easy thing for the council to take care of. A complaint, and ongoing escalation, should conclude the issue with your landlord, especially if you can back it up with fact garnered from your local authorities.

Original poster
Feminine · 15/12/2014 21:08

Interesting elephantwe don't live there yet. Do you think l could/should phone the council (that we will rent from) before we move in? What you are talking about, sounds like what l was thinking. However, many councils use a antiquated law with something to do with the age of the property to 'get out' of providing a basin.

OP posts:
Spartak · 15/12/2014 21:21

Yes, gel would be fine. Obviously not if the kids hands are covered in poo but everything else would be ok.

Spartak · 15/12/2014 21:23

There are loads of houses that don't have a basin in the loo! Can't possibly be not allowed to sell them or rent them out. My parents place was valued last year and it wasn't mentioned at all.

elephantspoo · 15/12/2014 21:29

I'd check the legal classification of the room with building control. You see there can be a loo in it, but if it doesn't have a WHB and an extract fan, I think it's considered a cupboard. Just as a bedroom with no space for a bedside table and no external daylight window can only be considered a store room, not a bedroom.