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Original poster

Would this put you off buying a house?

104 replies

littlevet1 · 22/12/2016 15:36

Hello

We currently have two bedrooms and are are considering a loft conversion. We can create a reasonably sized (approx 3.5m2) third bedroom without creating a dormer window but only if we use an alternate tread staircase, like this:

www.stairplan.com/spacesaver.htm

The building control adviser has said that this staircase is acceptable. However both him and a couple of builders say that this staircase could put off potential purchasers, when we come to sell our property.

So my question is, would this be enough to put you off buying a house, if there was an alternate tread staircase going up into an extra bedroom in the loft? Obviously we have a normal staircase going from the ground floor to the first floor where the two original bedrooms and bathroom are.

Thanks for reading :)

OP posts:
Spam88 · 22/12/2016 15:42

I wouldn't want one personally, so I guess it would depend on whether it was possible/the cost of putting in a proper staircase as to whether it would put me off buying.

Pallisers · 22/12/2016 15:43

to be honest it would.

VivienneWestwoodsKnickers · 22/12/2016 15:45

You'd definitely be restricting who could buy it. Anyone with mobility issues would likely be out. Older people perhaps, people with young kids....

You need to consider who you think your house would appeal to.

ihatethecold · 22/12/2016 15:46

If you are marketing it as a bedroom then i would want a proper staircase.
If its to go up to an attic playroom type room i wouldn't mind as much

greenfolder · 22/12/2016 15:47

Yes. My sister did this to a house. She managed to sell to a single hipster who wanted to use the loft conversion to work from home ans she had the benefit of a rising market.
In practice to bloody thing looked and felt lethal. Bit like the steps on hms victory.

RandomMess · 22/12/2016 15:50

We had them but it was for a loft room as we didn't have the head height to create a normal height room up there. How much is the difference in cost and where do you live?

Costacoffeeplease · 22/12/2016 15:51

Absolutely would put me off, for practical and aesthetic reasons

Jellyshoeshurtmyfeet · 22/12/2016 15:53

I went to see a house a couple of months ago that had one of these and it put me off. They look really dangerous to me.

Bluntness100 · 22/12/2016 15:54

Yes, that would put me off , I wouldn't want kids to have to go up those and I wouldn't fancy it myself, I'd be scared someone fell, especially if getting up in the night or if slightly sleepy or even a couple of glasses of wine. As such, it would make the third bedroom for me fairly pointless and more storage space.

mistermagpie · 22/12/2016 15:56

It would put me off to be honest. They look a bit crap and dangerous to me and I'm not really seeing them as being that much of an improvement on a ladder.

MaryManchego · 22/12/2016 15:58

Oh they look really ugly to me, sorry. My children would manage them no problem, they are like mountain goats.

ChoudeBruxelles · 22/12/2016 15:59

I imagine coming down would be a nightmare. It would put me off - does it cost a lot more to put a dormer window in?

littlemissneela · 22/12/2016 16:00

My dad has one, which he made, in their house. It is fine for going up and down, as long as you remember which foot to go with first Wink Personally, I would prefer a 'proper' style staircase, but if the rest of the house was to my needs, it would not put me off.

vvviola · 22/12/2016 16:00

I looked at renting a house once with these up to the main bedroom and bathroom. In all other ways the house was perfect - great location, across the road from a lovely park, shops around the corner, lovely layout and bright living space.

And then I imagined having to carry a wriggly damp toddler down from the bath, and that was the end of that.

PollytheDolly · 22/12/2016 16:02

No don't do it. Put in a proper staircase.

wowfudge · 22/12/2016 16:03

Do they meet building regs? That seems to be the main issue for loft room access from what I read on here. If your conversion doesn't meet regs, you can't sell the house as a three bed property.

Kidnapped · 22/12/2016 16:04

Would really put me off.

I know that you are doing it purely for space reasons but that just draws attention to how little space you have, if you see what I mean. I'd be thinking "Oh God, we'll need to put a proper staircase in and there isn't enough room for it". It also looks a bit like it isn't a proper loft conversion.

I'd look into alternatives. Can you do the dormer and get a proper staircase? I know that it would be more expensive and take more time but it would make selling much easier.

Fluffycloudland77 · 22/12/2016 16:05

Yes it would.

lanbro · 22/12/2016 16:06

My parents have these going up to their loft which is used as an office. They've been in situ for about 20 years and no one has ever fallen on them, my df is 70 and they have 3 gc 4 and under. As long as you start off on the right foot they're just like normal stairs

ineedamoreadultieradult · 22/12/2016 16:07

I wouldnt buy a house with a staircase like that unless I planned on using the room very very infrequently.

SausageSoda · 22/12/2016 16:07

It would put me off.

CanandWill · 22/12/2016 16:08

It would put me off

RockyBird · 22/12/2016 16:11

It would put me off but then I have recurring nightmares about staircases.

PlumsGalore · 22/12/2016 16:11

It wouldn't put me off as such, but I would still consider it a two bedroomed property with a "useful loft space".

Moreisnnogedag · 22/12/2016 16:13

Ooh no sorry not for me. It would really put a dampener on the house for me.

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