...to ask which flat you would choose?

[TooManyPringles]

I've put two offers in and now I'm stuck. How do I decide which one to ultimately go for? Both are 2 beds with outside space, which was my criteria when choosing.

Flat A: just over 500 sq ft. Very small! A period conversion, gorgeous little Victorian garden flat built with yellow London brick and a bay window at the front. The kitchen is just two units and a cooker in the living room, essentially. I would need to come up with a lot of storage, and use the space creatively. The 'kitchen/ living area' would basically become a big eat-in kitchen, and then I'd use the second bedroom as a living room. It has one small bathroom, and a cute little courtyard garden. It's an end of terrace, so the garden wraps around the back. When I viewed it, there were a couple of damp patches on the walls, and evidence of a leak coming through from the flat above.

Flat B: Nearly 700 sq ft. In a modern, private, gated block (built early 2000s). Two big bedrooms (one en suite) and a long kitchen/ living room in a rectangle shape - a kitchen area at the back (lots of storage/ cupboards) and then a living area which has French windows opening onto a patio, which then leads onto a communal garden (shared by a couple of other flats in the block). The patio just belongs to the flat though. It feels very quiet - almost rural. (maybe a bit suburban? There is a great view of the London skyline from the entrance to the block, though).

I'm really stuck. How would you choose? I like the space in Flat B, and the idea of having more flexibility with the en suite/ bigger bedrooms etc. I worry that the block itself just feels a bit character-less, though? I always envisaged living in a period property. But then...the damp and the lack of space in the Victorian flat may end up being annoying. But the bay window is so pretty!

Which would you go for, and how have you made decisions about homes when you've been deciding? Tips and ideas about making this sort of decision welcome!

Thank you.

Voting, for fun:

YABU: Flat A
YANBU: Flat B

Flat B. More potential better area and more space

I would go for flat B. Period is nice, but 500 square feet is absolutely tiny for a 2 bed space and you will feel the compromise all the time - I would never move somewhere where even before you move you think you won't have enough storage and kitchen space. I would also avoid places where clearly there is an issue that the neighbours haven't dealt with. B is way better from every perspective other than the charges and character of the block, and lets be honest, how long are you going to spend looking at your block from the outside? Add character to the inside instead and you won't feel that it's boring. Also a more modern building will probably save on fuel bills.

Ordinarily wild horses couldn’t drag me into a modern flat but in your shoes I would definitely be going with B.

There are conversions and conversions - I’ve lived in flats in old buildings that were originally one house which has later been split up into flats and if they’ve worked with the original walls then they’re usually fine. But when new walls are created with plasterboard (or whatever other flimsy materials the builders want to get away with using) the sound proofing will be shit. See also: floors/ceilings. If you’ve got thick carpets with good underlay then it might not be an issue but I’d still be very wary of having people above me unless leases stated no wooden/laminate floors. If you get noisy people above you (not just children but people who walk about like an elephant in hobnailed boots) it’s awful.

Secondly, damp is already evident and you suspect a leak from above? I wouldn’t touch that with someone else’s barge pole unless I KNEW (and had guaranteed in writing) that the fault(s) had been found and rectified properly.

I loved the space and features of my Edwardian terrace. But it was cold and damp. Any DiY was a nightmare that just uncovered 100 years of bodge jobs.
Both modern houses I've lived in since haven't had the beautiful outside, but they are much easier to live in.

Does parking differ between the 2?

Flat B. It has more space, more storage, better kitchen, nearer the station and no obvious damp/leak repair needed. Even if Flat A is much cheaper, I’d still buy Flat B every single time.

Flat B. Upstairs neighbours in a Victorian house are going to be so noisy! You might be able to add character to your modern flat over time and while outside space is important, let's face it, we won't get good enough weather in the UK for you to enjoy it too much. That said, it has to be your decision. Sometimes, in these situations, I like to make a snap decision and judge my response. If I told you right now to just go with flat B, would you feel reassured ri have made the decision or have pangs that you've chosen the wrong option?

Hi. I always preferred period properties but having lived in a damp property I'd go for the new build every time. Having damp in the walls etc felt really yuck, and I'd dream of living in a clean dry house. Good luck with you choice!

B. You won’t see the cute outside of A when you are inside the flat, and the extra space and bathroom will make a huge difference.

B without a doubt

I live in a property that's was built around 1912/13;Old properties like mine unfortunately get annoying issues with damp/mould/crumbling plaster.

If you go for the period property you'd need a efficient surveyor and need to know if the upstairs flat are actually being proactive about sorting the leak.

Looks like there is definitely a consensus here!

B
Go for the space and no damp.

Depends on what the cause of the damp is. It could be a quick fix. The chimney flashing had to be renewed on my Victorian Terrace. Cost was around £800.

Flat B. Don't want to be messing with damp. Also more space and sounds better equipped. You can pretty-up the patio but with pots and furniture, external rug. Make an outdoor room of it and take in that iconic view.

B
A isn't really a 2 bed as you need to use one bedroom as the living room.
And it's damp £££££

Flat A for me.