Only one window in entire flat...

[Thehonestybox]

I've got a 2 bed flat (rented), and it's SO gloomy and airless it's driving me mad.

It's north facing and really dark and depressing. Does anyone have any tips for how to bring more light in?

It's long and narrow, one small window in the living room, but the two bedrooms and bathroom are windowless. The bedrooms have frosted glass walls with air gaps.

I was thinking of using mirrors to redirect a network of light from the living room window, like they did in the Egyptian pyramids! But I'm not sure if a better solution or invention exists?

Could you try a daylight lamp like the ones for SAD?

Is that even legal?

I thought only bathrooms and kitchens didn't have to have windows as you need to be able to escape if there is a fire.

And obviously you can go out of a window.

OP are you on the UK?

That sounds grim, how would you escape if there was a fire?

Absolutely use mirrors to bounce the light around. The way to do it is put mirrors on the walls 90 degrees to the window & to tuck 2 or 3 slices of thick cardboard (selotaped together) under the side of the mirror closest to the window. This has the effect of bouncing the light further into the darker parts. Other than that Dulux Light & Space paint is stunning but you may not be allowed to paint..

It’s not legal not to have a window in your bedroom in the UK. You have to have one large enough to escape out of in a fire. It sounds like you are in a flat which has been carved out of a larger building, badly. I can’t see any way in which this conversion could have gained building regs approval. I would approach building control at your local planning authority for advice - and find yourself somewhere new to live asap.

legally, the bedrooms should have windows that open to act as fire escapes. but they can be frosted so no view.

yes, get mirrors and also plenty of lights. Fairy lights in the corners are good for rentals. And the SAD light panels can really make things brighter.

Yeah I'm only in the Midlands! It's a newish tower block with 150 flats so I assume it's legal!

We have sprinklers in all the ceilings so I imagine that gets round the fire safety thing

Hmmm I never even heard about that! where did you see this info about legality? It's not a conversion, it's a 15 year old tower block in Nottingham. It could be useful info for me to prove to my landlord when he's going on about how low my rent is compared to other 2 bed flats!

We've been desperate to move for the last year but have given up as the rental market demand is insane here

Thank you I will try this!

That's insane! Do all the flats in the block have that layout?

I also don't even think that's legal - link

I stayed in a newly converted flat in Alnwick which didn't have an opening window in the second bedroom - there was a window but it gave onto the corridor outside. It was horrendous to sleep in, hot and airless, I was amazed it was legal. And very cross that it hadn't been mentioned on the booking site.

You could go to the Planning Portal online and look for information on building regulations or building control. Or, and this would be even better, contact a building control officer at your local authority in case they have any local knowledge about your particular development.

I work with historic buildings and engage with the planning process a lot, so I am fairly au fait with the regulations, but you obviously can’t quote me, so I recommend contacting building control for the information you need.