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Original poster

Tiny bathroom - bath or shower in rental property?

61 replies

feetheart · 21/04/2015 09:51

Just canvassing opinion.

We have a small rental property with a tiny bathroom. Want to redo the bathroom as it is tired, old and the layout doesn't work - normal bath with shower over it, normal sized toilet and teeny, tiny cloakroom-type sink (it really is the smallest I have ever seen!)

Replacing the bath with a shower unit would create more space to fit a slimline toilet and decent-sized sink but is getting rid of the bath a good idea? I would have said no up until 2 years ago when we got a downstairs shower-room built. The bath upstairs has been used twice in nearly 20 months!

Thoughts please...

OP posts:
HelpMeGetOutOfHere · 21/04/2015 09:56

if you have a shower downstairs then I would definitely have a bath upstairs, It might not be used very often but its nice to have the option, plus if the tenants had a baby, then the bath is easier.

Personally even with a downstairs shower I'd still have a bath with shower over upstairs.

Original poster
feetheart · 21/04/2015 10:02

Sorry, don't think I was clear as usual - downstairs shower-room and upstairs bathroom is in our house. The house I am asking about, with the tiny bathroom, is a rental property.

OP posts:
specialsubject · 21/04/2015 10:03

keep both if at all possible. Gives tenants a choice, and also provides a backup if you fit an electric shower. What I mean is that if the shower fails, the tenant can have a bath with hot water from the boiler, and vice versa if the boiler fails. Obviously you'd fix ASAP but if you can't get someone for a day or two (and it happens as anyone who has run a home knows) then your tenant isn't stuck.

I have backups in my home and expect to give the same to my tenants.

perhaps try a shorter bath? But this is why I have rejected quite a few properties as the bathrooms are insanely small.

Original poster
feetheart · 21/04/2015 10:05

Good point about back up specialsubject

OP posts:
MehsMum · 21/04/2015 10:13

How many bedrooms? Because if the tenants are likely to have DC, they'll probably want a bath (you can bath a baby in a basin or a sink, but a toddler really needs you in the shower with them if you don't want water all over the floor...)

StrawberryCheese · 21/04/2015 10:14

I think it depends who your property is being marketed to. As students and then a young couple, DH and I were happy with just a shower. Now that we are getting on a bit and starting a family I really appreciate our bath.

VenusRising · 21/04/2015 10:23

If your small rental property has only one bathroom, then turn it into a shower room.
Have a glass door,(not curtain) or an all in one unit, with side jets, a seat, and a steam roof.

Fit two basins side by side and have a bidet.

Disconnect the fan from the light, so you can have a light on without the noisy fan going off.

Make sure they can open the window to let steam out.

ouryve · 21/04/2015 10:25

I couldn't live in a house without access to a bath and one of my boys is terrified of the shower, despite loving baths so much he has 2 a day.

ouryve · 21/04/2015 10:29

Why the hell do you need 2 basins in a small bathroom? Confused

Original poster
feetheart · 21/04/2015 10:31

There are two bedrooms and we have aimed it at families.

The current tenants have suggested a shower instead of a bath when we asked which started us thinking.

The plumber has suggested making it into a wet room - any ideas on that as I know nothing about them.

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 21/04/2015 10:33

2 basins and a bidet are a waste of space in a tiny bathroom!

With no bath, I think you rule out any family with a small child.

Original poster
feetheart · 21/04/2015 10:42

Tenants have a 3 yr old, a 2 yr old and a baby and have suggested getting rid of the bath!
I'm unsure so am canvasing opinions here - always the font of all knowledge :)

Could barely fit one sink and a loo in so 2 sinks and a bidet are out.

OP posts:
HelpMeGetOutOfHere · 21/04/2015 11:05

wow 2 children in a two bed house and they don't want a bath? I think they would regret saying it if you went ahead and took out the bath. Get a better fitting bath and electric shower over it with a shower curtain or glass screen that folds back.

Even though your current tenants say shower only I think you limit the market too much for future tenants. I know lack of bath would probably stop me from even viewing the property. I shower most days but once or twice a week I like a soak in the bath. Also 9yr old dd hates showers.

LMGTFY · 21/04/2015 11:12

I would expect to see a bath with a shower over. My dh and Ds2 love baths so it would rule out a property for us. Our bathroom is very small but with clever rearranging managed to get decent bath, sink and toilet in, is there scope to shuffle things?

Redglitter · 21/04/2015 11:20

I'd love if my landlord got rod of my bath. I haven't had a bath in about 20 years and it takes up so much space in my small bathroom. I'd love a walk in shower or wet room but then I don't have children

MyArksNotReady · 21/04/2015 11:25

I don't bath anymore, just shower. I had a walk in shower and loved it. I now have a shower over the bath and hate it, It is a health hazard.

NotCitrus · 21/04/2015 11:52

I'd keep the bath. The small flat I rent out only had a shower and it was a factor in some tenants moving out. We've reconfigured the space to include a bathroom with decent-size bath. And cursed all the websites that don't let you search by size...

Original poster
feetheart · 21/04/2015 11:53

LMGTFY - may I ask how you rearranged things?
Currently have bath to left of door filling one wall, tiny sink and toilet opposite door with toilet on opposite side to bath.
Not sure there is much room for manoeuvre as door virtually opens onto toilet!

OP posts:
Original poster
feetheart · 21/04/2015 11:56

NotCitrus - same question to you please!
I have already managed to create a decent bathroom in a tiny space in a friend's house but this one is even smaller - not sure what the 1960's builders were thinking.

OP posts:
Original poster
feetheart · 21/04/2015 12:17

If it helps the dimensions are 5'8" x 5'3"/1.72x1.60

OP posts:
specialsubject · 21/04/2015 12:20

wet rooms may be terribly fashionable, but they are a daft idea in the UK unless there is lots of underfloor heating, which your tenants will have to pay to run. They are only worth the effort for those who are unable to access a normal shower.

2 sinks???? Who needs 2 sinks??? Especially not in a too-small bathroom.

Floggingmolly · 21/04/2015 12:29

"Fit two basins" as a solution to how to reconfigure a too small bathroom... Confused

Redglitter · 21/04/2015 13:00

feetheart My bathroom is pretty small but the one ingenious thing the builders did was put the door on so it opens out the way. Simple but what a difference it makes

Redglitter · 21/04/2015 13:05

My bathroom is 6.6 x 5.5

Bath is to the right and takes up full wall. toilet faces the door and is beside the bath. Vanity unit sink on the wall opposite the bath

MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 21/04/2015 13:07

ROFL at two sinks and a bidet in tiny bathroom! Yes, that'll help Hmm Grin

OP, if you're marketing to families then definitely keep the bath. A shower bath is a good compromise. I previously considered those Japanese barrel tubs but decided as they are no good with a shower that won't help either.

We also have a tiny bathroom and I contemplated a naice, walk in shower with glass surround but then two things happened. a) I remembered I have small children and b) I remembered we live in a hard water area so the bloody thing would never be clean.