Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Property/DIY

Join our Property forum for renovation, DIY, and house selling advice.

Original poster

Does a one bed flat need a bath?

26 replies

PetraDelphiki · 21/06/2017 16:45

I'm thinking of redoing the bathroom in my one bed rental flat - I can either squash in a bath with shower over it or potentially put in a nice large shower cubicle instead. Do you think a bath is a must? BIggish one bedroom flat likely to go to single professional or couple...

OP posts:
halcyondays · 21/06/2017 16:47

I'd want the bath, hate not having one.

LittleWitch · 21/06/2017 16:51

We are about to replace both bathrooms in our two bed house - one en suite currently shower, main bathroom has a bath. Both will become shower only. I don't care about what a prospective purchaser in the unknown future might want, this is what I want for my home right now. The main bathroom is plenty big enough that unknown future purchaser could re-install a bath if they wanted to.

I don't get why people do up their homes for the benefit of strangers...

LittleWitch · 21/06/2017 16:52

In your case OP, as it's a rental it's less likely to be a deal breaker especially if it's nice and new.

OlennasWimple · 21/06/2017 16:53

Little The OP is a landlord...

I would still leave the bath, as it will put some people off unnecessarily.I also think it can make a flat seem small - "only room for a shower"

ZaraW · 21/06/2017 16:54

It's never been a problem when I let my property.

BangkokBlues · 21/06/2017 17:56

Not a problem in a 'young pro' rental.

Sunbeam18 · 21/06/2017 17:58

Def have a bath if you possibly can

WhyteKnyght · 21/06/2017 18:45

I don't think it matters too much as long as it's clean, new, and functional. Showers with poor water pressure are the killer, not whether you have a cabinet or a bath.

I would personally go for a shower screen not a curtain either way, as shower curtains go mouldy very quickly and over a small bath like you describe have a tendency to wrap themselves round you in a clammy embrace - ugh! But yes, screen and water pressure/reliable temperature more important to me than having a bath or cabinet per se.

Original poster
PetraDelphiki · 21/06/2017 19:22

Definitely shower screen don't worry - you couldn't pay me to use a curtain!

Might ask a few estate agents locally when we start doing it...

OP posts:
hugoagogo · 21/06/2017 19:25

It would put me off, I have lived places without a bath and I missed it so much.

user1496484020 · 21/06/2017 19:28

I'd prefer a newly fitted and tiled high pressure shower. Baths aren't designed for standing up in to shower.

Bleurghghghgh · 21/06/2017 19:29

I live alone and personally I wouldn't rent a flat without a bath. But I know people who would/do

allegretto · 21/06/2017 19:30

I'd prefer a nice walk in shower.

BarchesterFlowers · 21/06/2017 19:31

I would want a bath even if I was just renting. I love having a bath.

TizzyDongue · 21/06/2017 19:34

A decent shower (as in good size and water pressure) would be totally fine in a one bed flat should I think.

Original poster
PetraDelphiki · 21/06/2017 20:29

So it's basically 50/50...maybe my current tenant will stay and I won't need to worry about it for a while!

OP posts:
wheresmyphone · 21/06/2017 23:14

Just had this debate in a buy to let. Asked 4 EA. 30% of market won't rent if just a shower. Went for bath with decent screen.

WhyteKnyght · 22/06/2017 19:28

Interesting, wheresmyphone. Is the market EAs were referring to likely to include families, though? Lots of parents want baths for the kids but OP won't be able to rent to families anyway as she doesn't have the space. I would be quite surprised if 30% of childless people/couples would refuse to rent a flat with a large shower cabinet as opposed to a cramped bath.

wheresmyphone · 22/06/2017 20:32

I'll be honest, I was really surprised too! I'd have thought most wanted a big walk in shower. I am just sharing the feedback I got.

wheresmyphone · 22/06/2017 20:34

Sorry, I didn't answer your question either. Its definitely not a family flat, to be honest, it is more a single person (not a couple) as the bedroom is pretty small.

TizzyDongue · 22/06/2017 22:32

It's 70% who would though. Which isn't that small a percentage really

PocketNiffler · 22/06/2017 23:07

I had a rental with a short bath, it was great !

userofthiswebsite · 22/06/2017 23:14

I have both bath and separate shower cubicle in my one bed. I only really use the bath to stand in and shave legs etc. Frankly I wish they'd not bothered with the bath when it was built and added inches on to the bedroom.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 23/06/2017 09:56

Some people won't care about a bath - others will want one for an occasional wallow even if they mostly have showers.
So if you're renting the place you might be restricting the pool of prospective tenants a bit, but probably not enough to make a big difference.
FWIW I see nothing wrong with a shower over a bath - as long as the shower is a good one. We've had two for many years.

drummergirl34 · 24/06/2017 17:02

Yes - to wash toddlers.