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Original poster

Bedroom without a window

117 replies

Kico99 · 12/03/2021 09:18

Hello! Does anyone have any advice on purchasing a 1 bed apartment where the bedroom doesn’t have a window? It meets fire regs as there is only the requirement for a room to have either a window or open directly onto a hall leading to an entrance/ exit – it does the latter. I’m ok with sleeping in a bedroom with no window but I’m not sure if I’ll be able to sell it going forward if I bought it ... plus the seller is asking for £50k more than she bought it 6yrs without adding much to it all. I didn’t think 1 bed flats increase in price very much or at all to be honest and especially one with the bedroom not having a window ...

Help! Thanks 🙏🏽

OP posts:
Original poster
Kico99 · 12/03/2021 09:57

Thanks, the flat is in my ideal location (Richmond, London) and there is the bonus of lots of natural light in the main area in the house where there is no one above you (flat above the bedroom part only.) It’s in a converted building where it’s a solid build. The no window in the bedroom doesn’t bother me at all but as most of you rightly say the sell on may be an issue

OP posts:
roundturnandtwohalfhitches · 12/03/2021 09:58

It doesn't sound like a good buy. It would be ok in the short term, I have slept in plenty of boxrooms in flats over the years but I think you'd get bored of it very soon and would find it hard to sell. There was a trend in conversions a few years ago in the city I lived in for flats with great kitchen/living spaces and shit bedroom space. To save money probably. They just didn't shift. I think developers learned their lesson here.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 12/03/2021 10:00

I wouldn't buy it. The resale market will be limited because most people (and lenders) will consider that unacceptable.

As far as the increase in price, yes of course one bed flats appreciate, and if it is in London that increase would not be unusual for a one bed flat. But IMO this is not really a one bed flat, because the "bedroom" should not be used as such.

MessAllOver · 12/03/2021 10:02

I'm curious. What floor is this on? Is it new build or in a converted property?

It looks like the only window in the entire flat is a skylight. Does the skylight open? If not, is there any way of getting fresh air into the flat?

We looked round a house a bit like this when we were house-hunting a few years ago. It was a small but lovely newbuild, very smart and modern, in a mews-type development built behind a bigger house. Neither DH nor I could put our finger on what felt so odd about it. Then we worked it out. None of the windows in the house looked out onto anything. There was no garden, just a yard/parking in front. The house only had windows on one side. Downstairs, they were above head height and looked out onto the brick wall in front of the parking. The upstairs windows were all skylights. No view of anything and really hard to open. The effect was very claustrophobic... felt like you were in a big box with high sides.

crazylikechocolate · 12/03/2021 10:07

Stayed in a hotel room like this for a conference, it was ok on that occasion as it was only used for sleeping but for regular normal usage as a bedroom I think it would be dire
The sell on would be difficult too

PammieDooveOrangeJoof · 12/03/2021 10:10

My friend got trapped in a room like that for two days when the door handle fell off and their phone was outside. It was only because people noticed they hadn’t heard from him the police turned up and broke the door down!
So aside from the fact it would be horrible not being able to have that extra light and fresh air this reason alone would stop me.

HappydaysArehere · 12/03/2021 10:18

Why no window unless it was intended for storage? Wouldn’t it be dark in there. Know the kitchen has a glass ceiling but I wouldn’t like to wake up in a bedroom with no natural daylight

MuddleMoo · 12/03/2021 10:21

You will struggle to resell

BooseysMom · 12/03/2021 10:23

My friend got trapped in a room like that for two days when the door handle fell off and their phone was outside. It was only because people noticed they hadn’t heard from him the police turned up and broke the door down!
So aside from the fact it would be horrible not being able to have that extra light and fresh air this reason alone would stop me

Dear God, that alone would be enough of a reason to walk..or run.. away!

We have a new-build semi with no windows in the sides and an internal bathroom. I wish we could have a bathroom window but many developers don't include them prob to save money. I can live with no bathroom window (just!) but i couldn't live without a bedroom window..

I hope you come to the right decision for you ..good luck op

Zenithbear · 12/03/2021 10:24

No I wouldn't buy it. It doesn't sound fire safe for a start. In my old work place I used to have an office with only a tiny window really high up. I found it very depressing even though I only went in to the office a couple of times a week.

CeibaTree · 12/03/2021 10:40

Sounds like it should be really be sold as a studio. I wouldn't buy it, and I think it'd be a pain to sell.

1990s · 12/03/2021 10:44

Is it substantially cheaper/in a better area/in some other way better than other 1 beds you could get?

I’m fairly forgiving of flaws in properties, but I’d need a really good reason to be ok with this and it would certainly need to be the right price.

irregularegular · 12/03/2021 10:44

If it suits you and the price is right then I wouldn't rule it out. It won't suits lots of people but you only need one buyer. If you are happy with it someone else will too. In an area like Richmond there is always going to be demand for slightly less expensive options.

1990s · 12/03/2021 10:45

@mumwon

venting systems - is it a big block of flats & is it a central venting system? ie not under your control & communal with other flats - because you will have no control over when or whether they service this - & some of these electric venting systems in some flats are not serviced as much as you would expect - (they can reek) & what happens if you have a really hot summer?
This is very important.
Original poster
Kico99 · 12/03/2021 10:59

@1990s

Is it substantially cheaper/in a better area/in some other way better than other 1 beds you could get?

I’m fairly forgiving of flaws in properties, but I’d need a really good reason to be ok with this and it would certainly need to be the right price.

For the square footage it's a good price as it's slightly bigger than most 1-beds in the area. However, whether it should be cheaper to compensate the lack of window in the bedroom is another thing...
OP posts:
Juno231 · 12/03/2021 11:02

Wow it's actually a stunning apartment (found it on rightmove). Looks like the door to the bedroom has a window above the door into the hallway to let in light? Looking on the map it looks like you should be able to add a window to the bedroom if you wanted to - def worth looking into whether that would be allowed.

My main concern to be honest is that the whole flat would be a greenhouse in summer due to the skylight?

Original poster
Kico99 · 12/03/2021 11:06

@MessAllOver

I'm curious. What floor is this on? Is it new build or in a converted property?

It looks like the only window in the entire flat is a skylight. Does the skylight open? If not, is there any way of getting fresh air into the flat?

We looked round a house a bit like this when we were house-hunting a few years ago. It was a small but lovely newbuild, very smart and modern, in a mews-type development built behind a bigger house. Neither DH nor I could put our finger on what felt so odd about it. Then we worked it out. None of the windows in the house looked out onto anything. There was no garden, just a yard/parking in front. The house only had windows on one side. Downstairs, they were above head height and looked out onto the brick wall in front of the parking. The upstairs windows were all skylights. No view of anything and really hard to open. The effect was very claustrophobic... felt like you were in a big box with high sides.

It's a converted mill house, this 'apartment' is on the ground floor... you can only see the sky, no side windows.
OP posts:
user1493494961 · 12/03/2021 11:09

Well you're considering buying it so I think you'd have no problem selling on. Go for it if you like it, you could try and negotiate the price down a bit.

Original poster
Kico99 · 12/03/2021 11:10

@Juno231

Wow it's actually a stunning apartment (found it on rightmove). Looks like the door to the bedroom has a window above the door into the hallway to let in light? Looking on the map it looks like you should be able to add a window to the bedroom if you wanted to - def worth looking into whether that would be allowed.

My main concern to be honest is that the whole flat would be a greenhouse in summer due to the skylight?

It's pretty huh. Yes there is a window above the door as you say. No can't add a proper window unfortunately as the bedroom walls are internal walls. :(
Bedroom without a window
OP posts:
DenisetheMenace · 12/03/2021 11:11

We wouldn’t, need fresh air at night to sleep and have windows open.

Taikoo · 12/03/2021 11:13

Nope.
No way.

Original poster
Kico99 · 12/03/2021 11:14

Oh also @Juno231 yes I had that worry too.. there is a faux window (it's blocked with slats on the other side) in the living room which does open to allow air flow and the UV blinds for the roof skylights reduce about 70% of the heat. Again this is what I'm told by the agent. But yes it would need a Dyson fan I'm sure

OP posts:
Aroundtheworldin80moves · 12/03/2021 11:16

It looks lovely in that picture.

I think it would be hard to judge without actually going inside. The floorpan and description sound very claustrophobic.

redcandlelight · 12/03/2021 11:20

the whole flat only has one window Shock

no, it would have to be pretty special for me to consider it.

Plexie · 12/03/2021 11:22

Looks like the flat above is for sale as well - for £50k less.