What property features would you never have again?

[AnxiousRose]

What features from your current or previous property would you avoid if you were househunting again?

For me, it is three storeys. I had this in my last house and did not expect to dislike it as much as I did. My bedroom was on the top floor and I hated all the stairs especially with young kids. Three storeys usually means the downstairs space is small for the number of bedrooms.

Conservatory, decking

Attic bedrooms. Hate the noise and banging my head.

I think I understand the conservatory. Why do you not like decking?

Not fond of open plan. I like cosiness.

probably wouldn’t buy a period property again. Too leaky, expensive to maintain and energy inefficient.

I also wouldn’t buy one with a garden too big to be mown in 15 minutes. Big gardens are lovely looking but loads of work and given our climate you don’t spend much time out there.

automated lighting systems that turn on or off as you move around. i've stayed as a guest in 2 houses with this and it NEVER does what you expect or want. either turns off too soon or turns on too bright. horrible system.

Stairs leading to the front door.

Downstairs bathroom.

Fully tiled bathroom! The whole room was dripping wet after taking a shower.

Not putting quality wood laminate further into my kitchen/utility. I couldn't afford to at the time but wish I could have my hall and kitchen in the same flooring. My kitchen has thick rhino flooring and colour is fine but seamless laminate would be aesthetically better (and warmer).

Was it a wet room? Have heard some people have issues with these.

I can imagine this would be very annoying.

Our last place was a 4 storey townhouse, never again! Ground floor had high ceilings and was hard to heat.

In our current house I don’t like the open plan downstairs. It’s essentially all one room. I much prefer a separate kitchen and sitting room.

Thanks all for the replies.
I think it's interesting to hear why certain things have not worked for people.

I'm not a fan of decking either actually, I prefer nice paving stones. We converted our conservatory into an extension, by adding a proper roof; it looks great. If it wasn't there when we bought the house, we wouldn't have the extra room as it would cost a fortune from scratch. I

I don't like decking, it gets very slippery, it rots fairly quickly, rats live under it - and slugs too.

Windowless bathroom 😩
Moisture/poo particles and smells/cleaning products flow inwards into the house instead of outside, dark/artificial lighting, usually small because they've been shoehorned in. Dreadful all round.

A conservatory. Our last house had one, it was either boiling hot or freezing cold.

Wooden windows - pain to maintain and cold. Previously loved the period ones - but after living in two period rentals, the love went out the window.

Fisher & Paykel dish drawers - look great, but never work properly - excellent customer service and warranty. Has been rebuilt a number of times.

Conservatory - we put a warm roof on it and much better.

Private roads run by residents - I'm losing the will to live with mine, give me a normal road any day.

Developers moving next door under the guise of "hi I'm your friendly new neighbour" - no your not, I'm not stupid.

Underfloor heating - temperamental, give me normal rads even if it means losing wall space.

Corner houses / plots - magnets for dog poop bags, people having their lunch and chucking it in your garden, fly tippers. Random's sleeping outside.

Agree with OP - extra floors, so basements and third floors.

Don't buy near schools, hospitals or dog walking spots.

If rural try not to buy houses with off grid oil central heating.

Agree fully tiled bathrooms, everything is dripping wet after a shower or bath, we have to spend 20 minutes with a window vac after showering, it's slippery, freezing and not very cosy when I want a relaxing bath. I think we have 7 bath mats on our bathroom floor because I'm sick of taking the kids to A&E due to slipping over and bashing their heads on the sink/door/floor... etc.

Galley kitchens, incredibly impractical for everyday family life.

Open-plan lounge-diner with the staircase in the lounge. Endless draughts and impossible to make the place feel cosy.

A house without an airing cupboard.

Oh I actually like stairs leading to the front entrance, as long as there is an entrance way and hall, not enclosed in if that makes sense. I always find it a bit odd when they're in the middle, or leading into the living room etc. I suppose it is just what you're used to maybe.
Downstairs toilet is handy for elderly relatives who cannot manage stairs well, and is good for any visitors. You can keep all of your junk upstairs, 🫢

Master bedroom in the loft conversion. Conservatory.
Neighbours.
My next house will have no neighbours and will be single story.

Decking is THE worst. Looks crap and is such a massive ball ache to upkeep. Regular deep cleaning to remove grime otherwise you slop on the moss and break your neck, then stripping and repainting/oiling once a year. So much time wasted. All the off the shelf products cost a bomb and are really toxic. Or the modern "easy" decking solutions are massive lumps of plastic. Awful.

I think I'm in the minority but I detest ensuites, why would I want to wee in my bedroom? Showering is a damp fest. Never want to use them, would much rather have a downstairs loo.

Please can you tell me about your warm roof because I’m on the verge of getting a conservatory- it’ll be on an extension to the side of the house that’s hit in summer and cold in winter

I understand that a downstairs bathroom would be a pain if it is the only bathroom and the bedrooms are upstairs.

Dehumidifier is your friend here. I like a fully tiled bathroom, no peeling paint!