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Original poster

How much would no downstairs loo put you off a house?

98 replies

firefirefire · 25/03/2019 17:06

We are selling a really well presented and solid 4 bed semi detached house.
The garden is landscaped, fairly new kitchen etc etc, new bathroom.

The downside is that it doesn't have a downstairs toilet.

Would this put you off massively?

I should say, there is a huge utility room and garage and therefore lots of space for someone to put one in. We would have done this if we were staying

OP posts:
taybert · 25/03/2019 17:18

Well really it depends on if there are loads of other similar houses that do have a downstairs loo. It was on our list of essentials but where we live there were so few houses in our price range that it was something we compromised on and we’ve since put one in. If there had been other houses in our range with one we would’ve chosen those over one without.

LadiesFinishFights · 25/03/2019 17:20

I have a downstairs loo but don't use it. Never have. It's full of camping gear and other shite.

So wouldn't bother me at all.

CoffeeRunner · 25/03/2019 17:21

I agree with the PP. If most other similar size & style houses in the price bracket have a downstairs loo then it will probably be a negative for viewers to not have one.

It’s a positive that you have an obvious space to add one though.

SosigDog · 25/03/2019 17:24

My first question would be was it built with a downstairs loo that was illegally removed? I’ve seeem several houses where people have removed theirs without building regs approval, which is an issue when they come to sell. If it never had one to begin with then it wouldn’t bother me.

PolarBearDisguisedAsAPenguin · 25/03/2019 17:25

It would put me off.

Have you had a quote to see how much putting one in would cost you and weighed it up against the extra value it would increase your house by?

Catsinthecupboard · 25/03/2019 17:26

Old adage about selling/upgrading; you don't lose money on a bathroom.

(Used to be "and kitchen," but now kitchens can be way overpriced.

MarieG10 · 25/03/2019 17:26

It would put me off unless putting one in wasn't massive remodelling and building work. Taking some off a utility room can be expensive with refits. However, all houses sell at the right price

NewSchoolNewName · 25/03/2019 17:28

Is there only one toilet in the house?

I’d be put off a house if it only had one toilet and that was in the bathroom. I’ve lived in properties like that before and it’s a bit of a PITA to have showers or baths interrupted by someone desperate for the toilet. It’s less of an issue if the only toilet and the bath/shower are in separate rooms.

Although as a pp says a lot depends on whether downstairs toilets are normal for that sort of property where you live. It would be especially off putting if there were similar houses on the market with a downstairs toilet.

PCohle · 25/03/2019 17:28

It's a "nice to have" rather than an "essential" for me now. However, during toilet training when my kids were younger it would really have put me off a house which may be an issue given it is a good sized family home.

I agree that it depends what else is on the market in the area.

Disfordarkchocolate · 25/03/2019 17:30

I would only be put off if there was no easy option to add one. Why not get some costings so buyers know what it would cost.

Penguinpandarabbit · 25/03/2019 17:30

It wouldn't bother me - no upstairs bathroom would put me off a place but not just one bathroom or no downstairs one. Our last place was 4 bedrooms, 1 bathroom this one has two bathrooms but mainly just use the one.

Penguinpandarabbit · 25/03/2019 17:33

I would expect it to be priced a bit below an identical house with 2 bathrooms though.

BobTheDuvet · 25/03/2019 17:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

shiveringtimber · 25/03/2019 17:33

Not having a downstairs loo is an inconvenience if you entertain.

Liz38 · 25/03/2019 17:36

My house has only one toilet, in its own room upstairs. It's become enough of an issue now that we are paying a ludicrous amount per sqm to build an extension which will house a downstairs toilet. I wouldn't want another house without one.

But I have a 3 bed and I bought alone, when I was single. We're now a family so life and requirements have changed. I've been here 19 years so it's not been an urgent issue (very often) Grin

Original poster
firefirefire · 25/03/2019 17:36

Thanks for all your responses.

We are on the same price for a house that sold a few weeks ago down the road. That one had a downstairs loo but only 3 bedrooms. We have 4 bedrooms but no downstairs loo.

There has never been one in the house btw. The utility room is big enough to put a stud wall up and put a loo and basin in there. The plumbing and waste pipe is close enough that it would be easy.

Part of me is tempted to get it done to help sell but then maybe that'd be pointless at this stage.

OP posts:
RaffertyFair · 25/03/2019 17:47

It would be negative for me.

Have you costed doing it?
Have you compared the price of 4 bed semis that do have a downstairs toilet?

I think a 4 bedroom house with only 1 toilet would put quite a few buyers off. And as it is a family home, a downstairs toilet would be a very useful.

ShowOfHands · 25/03/2019 17:54

I've lived in several houses and only ever had one toilet. Current house has only an upstairs bathroom. Doesn't bother me in the slightest but having ageing and disabled relatives means we are going to put one in as soon as we can afford it.

Only had one toilet growing up, ditto all my friends. I see more than one as a luxury, not a necessity.

GreenTulips · 25/03/2019 17:57

It depends on the family
2 adults and 3 daughters need more than one loo

We have 2 and it’s really handy

WhatWouldTheDoctorDo · 25/03/2019 17:58

I could live without a downstairs loo, but I wouldn't like having only one bathroom in the house.

BrokenWing · 25/03/2019 17:59

I would like 2 toilets if there were 3 or more people living there, and personally I'd prefer both upstairs.

hugoagogo · 25/03/2019 18:09

What? I have never lived in a house with more than one loo. Confused
It would be nice I suppose, but certainly not on my wish list.

NWQM · 25/03/2019 18:09

I'd suggest thinking about staging it rather than having it done. That is make sure that the available space is very very obvious. Declutter for viewings even if only to the boot of your car. Put the thought that it is very possible into the potential buyers heads.

WombatChocolate · 25/03/2019 18:21

I’d expect a 4 bed house to have a downstairs loo. Lots of 3 beds don’t but 4 beds are usually larger family homes and a downstairs loo is normal.

A 4th bedroom usually adds substantial value so if yours is only selling for the price of a 3 bed, the lack of a loo seems to have a big impact.

If you don’t need to sell fast, you can accept you’ll get a lower price and wait it out. If you want to appeal to the max no of buyers, put one in speedy - ask the state agent about impact on price and sales - they will know.

The time this might be okay is if your house was originally 3 bed and you added an extra bedroom such as loft conversion so really in terms of downstairs it’s a 3 bed still.

Is there an en-suite?

1 loo for 4 beds isn’t enough by today’s standards.

It’s not a Q of if people can manage with 1 but what people expect from a particular house size. With 4 beds you’d expect 2 living spaces or a huge open plan one too.

Haworthia · 25/03/2019 18:41

I’ve never lived in a house with more than one toilet either!

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