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Property/DIY

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Original poster

Getting rid of the downstairs loo

40 replies

SybilWrites · 09/03/2023 08:40

I live in a typical Victorian Terrace with the kitchen at the back and 2 through living rooms. There's a downstairs toilet in the passage just outside the kitchen door. We don't use it at all! It's tiny and is best suited for smaller children. My kids are all older now.

Meanwhile I have the washing machine and tumble drier in the kitchen. I now work in the kitchen and would like to lock the washing machine and tumble drier away. I could then repurpose the cupboard they are in and for a fridge and free up some space for a desk (so I can stop working on the kitchen table).

What are views on getting rid of the loo? It would still be plumbed in (I assume) if a future buyer wanted to put one back in. I'll be in the house for 2 or 3 more years I should think.

OP posts:

Original poster

SybilWrites · 09/03/2023 08:41

(the reason I want the appliances away is that they are loud when I'm wfh and also I want more space in the kitchen to put a desk in).

OP posts:

MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 09/03/2023 08:43

If you’re not going to be there long then I wouldn’t. Downstairs toilets would be on my list of must have is I were looking to buy

Martinisarebetterdirty · 09/03/2023 08:44

If you’re only going to be there for 2-3 more years I think it best to keep the loo. I wouldn’t buy a house without one and if you’d already repurposed to a laundry space I’d (perhaps short sightedly) think there was no room for one.

TrashyPanda · 09/03/2023 08:47

I would never consider a house without a downstairs loo

Schmutter · 09/03/2023 08:48

I think a downstairs loo is essential. I’d keep it.

Daisymay2 · 09/03/2023 08:48

It would have to be perfect in every other way to make me consider a house without a downstairs loo Especially if I was looking for a family house.

Bigmirrorssmallrooms · 09/03/2023 08:49

No that’s a terrible idea if you’re only staying for two or three years, you will devalue your property

BIWI · 09/03/2023 08:50

What everyone else said!

Pinkdelight3 · 09/03/2023 08:50

Trying to imagine how tiny it could be to be unusable - do you mean it's literally a children's toilet like some infant schools had? Or that the room is incredibly narrow or something? If it's genuinely unuseable and you're staying in the house a long time I'd get rid, but if you're thinking of selling at any point in the foreseeable I'd keep it. Downstairs loo is a must have for me and many.

sevenbyseven · 09/03/2023 08:51

If you're only staying 2 or 3 more years I probably wouldn't change it. However if the house is sold with a downstairs cloakroom currently housing wachine machine and drier but with plumbing for a toilet that could be easily reinstated by the buyer, I can't see that putting many buyers off.

Luredbyapomegranate · 09/03/2023 08:52

If you’re moving that soon keep it if you can. I think it’s a selling point.

Original poster

SybilWrites · 09/03/2023 09:31

It's a small room but the toilet is full sized. It's just a squeeze to sit down on it with the door shut! Everyone prefers to use the upstairs bathroom.

But I take everyone's point! I'll try to rethink the space in the kitchen.

OP posts:

LadyJ2023 · 09/03/2023 09:32

Unfortunately same wouldn't even look at a house that's lost its downstairs loo to many in our family for just one

NomadicSpirit · 09/03/2023 09:34

Hi OP, I'm going to go against the flow and say go for it. You just need to get a plumber to tap off the now unused water pipes and to put a temporary block on the waste pipe outlet and then rip out the toilet and sink and you're just about there.

You can reuse the water taps for your washer. You will need to get electricity in there though and that should be alright as its not considered a bathroom so I don't believe you have to consider zones. When putting the room back to a toilet, you could change the plug sockets to razer sockets.

Scottishgirl85 · 09/03/2023 09:36

Don't even consider it!

Home garden offices are mega value adders if you have room in garden and budget for one.

Chemenger · 09/03/2023 09:40

We had a toilet like this (presumably originally the maid's toilet) in a 1930s house. It was so small that you could not sit on the loo and close the door without fracturing your knees. It also had no sink and no heating and was right beside the back door. We took the toilet out and stacked a washing machine and dryer in there.

DogInATent · 09/03/2023 09:41

Future buyers are likely to view a cramped/uncomfortable downstairs loo as better than no downstairs loo at all. I'd look for other options that might add value. Or be prepared to revert the room back to a loo before you sell in the future.

GasPanic · 09/03/2023 10:11

How many toilets do you have ? If you have 3 then getting rid of one is less of an issue than if you have 2. Also if the remaining one is on it's own, or integrated into a bathroom.

If the toilet is so cramped, how come you can get washing machines and dryers in it ?

Maybe better to be creative with the kitchen and get a washer dryer and dehumidifier to allow you the desk than reduce yourself to one toilet.

Beebumble2 · 09/03/2023 14:17

I’d say don’t do it. Like others have said, I wouldn’t buy a house that didn’t have a downstairs toilet or space to put one in.
We downsized to a cottage and immediately put a ground floor toilet in, although there are only two of us.

ChiefWiggumsBoy · 09/03/2023 14:52

And here I am just choosing the teeny toilet to go in a new under stairs cupboard!

Honestly, if it didn't cost too much to stop up the soil pipe and stuff I'd do it, and then put the toilet and sink back when looking to move. It would definitely be a draw for most people and it doesn't have to be forever. I say your comfort now is paramount.

Blindedbythenighttimelights · 09/03/2023 14:58

What are the walls like?

Could you put batons on the walls? If you put a heavy duty shelf just above the toilet seat you could put the washing machine or TD in there so that’s one less noisy thing.

gogohmm · 09/03/2023 14:59

If you are thinking of selling in 2-3 years, don't, most buyers want a downstairs loo, even a compact one

BackAgainstWall · 05/11/2023 22:10

It’s the first thing I check on property details.
You would be devaluing your house.

Goldwakeme · 05/11/2023 22:15

I would buy a quiet washing machine instead! I work in my kitchen and my machine is fairly new, it's far quieter than my old one.
I wouldn't buy a house without an existing downstairs loo.

TheSilentSister · 05/11/2023 23:11

I have a similar set up OP. It's very much an outhouse, no sink but does have a good length. House up for sale and it's been a bonus according to the agent.

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