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.

Velux windows in a sloping roof in a bedroom. Lovely but when it rained, the noise was horrendous and it was impossible to sleep
I love it! It helps me sleep!

Utility room attached to house but not accessible from the inside. Pain in the arse when it’s cold, raining etc. I know I could put washing machine and dryer in the kitchen but I would prefer not to, I like the extra kitchen space.

Stairs.
Listed status.
Damp.
Shitty guttering and roof.
Maniacs walking round outside my house yelling at 3am. 🤣

How are you making the application?

I have TPO oaks within our boundaries and there are many more such protected trees in the area - the leafy spaces are a big selling point locally.

I've never had trouble getting permission for tree work but initially I spent quite a bit of time talking to the tree officer about maintenance for each tree (he visited). I always use the same tree surgeon to define work within the officer's long term management recommendations. Honestly I think the key thing was getting to know the tree officer and him knowing that we were wanting to manage the trees and not remove them by creep. Basic deadwooding doesn't need permission in most areas even where there is a TPO as its essential maintenance and not pruning.

I'm surprised your insurers didn't pursue the council for the cost of damage caused by their tree dropping branches, especially as presumably they can't apply a tree management endorsement on trees you don't own?

Don't be put off! Building a garden pond is one of the best thing that you can do for wildlife (especially if you don't have fish). We built one during lockdown and it has attracted so many more birds, dragonflies, amphibians etc and we love it!

Original wood flooring: gappy, draughty, creaky, generally noisy.

High ceilings: all the heating ends up there and rooms feel less cosy.

Old period properties in general. As much as the original features are nice to look at and they do have character, I’d take a more modern house that is cost and temperature efficient over time.

Edited to add: Beech trees over garden! (reminded by pp above) Leaves absolutely everywhere in Autumn/Winter and then sharp, velcro-like tree nuts in spring/start of summer. Buggers to try and get off the grass and hurt like a mofo to step on!

You're only ever x foot from a rat. stuff going down sewers isn't going to mean more of them.

Sewage treatment plants don't need extra cooking fat and fatburgs down them though as they clog the often very elderly pipes.

I have lived in eighteen houses.

I would not want the following :

Master bedroom en suite (I don't mind adult DC having them). We have one the DH is banned.
Marble kitchen floors, ditto bathrooms plastic windows and doors.
All in one kitchen & utility room
No fitted wardrobes

An aga but no summer cooker
Spetic tanks
No driveway (got that one now)
No fireplace
Fitted fridge freezer
Neighbours I can share fences with
Low doors
Sloping ceilings
Grey fecking anything (reminds me of prisons, I was a prison visitor)
Home bars
Polyprop carpet
Purple bedrooms with Dunhelm curtains in polyester
Yellow plants
Concrete boot planters
Gnomes

I have a house built for the previous owner
omg there is no storage not even anywhere to keep a hoover
also only one single socket in bedrooms I’m
currently sorting it out but houses built by people who know nothing about designing houses!!!

I echo the dehumidifier suggestion. Ours is in bathroom, plugged in out in hall, flex fits under door. It's a game changer, room is so dry really quickly

The last house we lived in had a sticking out unit I think called a peninsular I hated it walked into it every time I walked into the kitchen due to the small gap between it and the wall, it was a rented house so couldn't change it, made sure when we bought this house that the kitchen units go round the walls so lots of space in the centre of the kitchen

No to fitted wardrobes???

We already have a 20 litre a day one, open windows during showering and open the back door which is next to the bathroom when showering, it hasn't made any difference unfortunately.

It's likely due to the house layout and design. Bathroom is at the end of an extension, 3 walls open to the outside, no insulation in the walls or flooring. It was the creation of cowboy builders and cheap previous owners, personally I believe the whole house should be knocked down but I don't think my landlord would appreciate it.

@Mrsredlipstick I'd completely forgotten about fitted appliances! Haven't had those in over 10 years, I'll agree with you on that.

I'm curious about driveways though?

All the ensuite haters - you know having one doesn't mean you have to use it for all your toileting needs, right? And that they're not "in your bedroom" but behind a door you can keep closed? Plus you also have at least one other loo/bathroom in the house for any occasion you don't feel the ensuite is appropriate for...

A flat roof.

Had to replace one in our old house. Swore never to buy a place with one again, then somehow managed to miss the small area of flat roof above our bay window in our bedroom in our new house.

Guess what is now leaking 😬

It is crazy how much people's preferences vary. A pp said they dislike fitted wardrobes, it puts me off houses when they don't have them! They look so neat and tidy, really organised when their kitted out with shelves etc, and usually bigger. I would have them in every bedroom in the house if I had my way. One step further I would love a walk in closet 💭

@TowerBallroom can you remember the brand name or link to it, sounds amazing!

Sorry I completely cocked that post up.
I love fitted wardrobes and will be having a walk in next year. I have them in three out of five bedrooms plus three armoire.
I don't have a driveway and it's so inconvenient. I actually didn't notice. We have two garages and a slither of a parking space. Also an unrestricted parking bay. I'm use to a farm so it's a bit of a shock. I also like a Belfast sink in the back kitchen for the dog. We don't have one.
However when we go to market next spring I have three ensuites 😄. Ex show home so three storey but big.
I'm off for a downstairs bedroom due to disability.

A bath.
We now have a wet room shower. So quick to get clean and not constricted in one of the glass boxes

Dig walking spots, footpath on boundary, open stairs off lounge, washing machines in kitchen, laminate floors, pretend fires, neighbours

We had Scot's pine TPO issues - tree surgeon explained the danger to our children and council agreed - gone within weeks replaced with cherries

Why washing machines in kitchen??

Boilers in bedroom

Trees near a house that have a TPO on!! We had x 2. Costs so much to get them trimmed every few years as the were just getting too tall.