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Original poster

No downstairs toilet. Will it devalue a property?

69 replies

wearyourpinkglove · 16/03/2025 07:44

I own have a four bedroom house which is perfect upstairs. However, the downstairs is badly configured. I would like to make downstairs open plan and I am considering getting rid of the downstairs toilet to do so. I have two bathrooms upstairs, one is an en-suite. My question is, would this devalue the property? My husband thinks we need a downstairs toilet but I don't think it's necessary. Currently the downstairs toilet has no window and is right next to the lounge which is very off putting for visitors anyway.

OP posts:
TeaRoseTallulah · 16/03/2025 07:46

I wouldn't consider a house without a downstairs loo.

Can you get rid of them now? I thought building regs mean you have to keep them.

JoyousEagle · 16/03/2025 07:47

Next to the lounge as in shares a wall? Or next to as in the door opens into the lounge? Because if it opens into the lounge I’d be desperate to change it, and that alone would put me off a house.

Reallybadidea · 16/03/2025 07:48

I think building regulations prevent you from removing a downstairs toilet.

Kissedbyfire1 · 16/03/2025 07:48

We have a two bed, two bath property, open plan downstairs. Same issue with the downstairs loo being, to all intents and purposes, in the living room. We took it out and installed the washing machine instead together with shelving and coat hooks so now it’s a tiny utility room. Perfect for our needs and we still have two loos. I don’t make alterations to my home with imaginary buyers in an unknown future in mind. I’m living in it now and want it to work for me.

XVGN · 16/03/2025 07:49

Not having a downstairs loo will put off a lot of people who may have, or foresee in the future, mobility issues. It's also less easy for families with young children.

But I also agree that I wouldn't want a loo straight off the lounge!

Kissedbyfire1 · 16/03/2025 07:50

Reallybadidea · 16/03/2025 07:48

I think building regulations prevent you from removing a downstairs toilet.

They don’t. We took advice before we did it. We left the pipework in place so that the loo and basin could easily be reinstalled if needed.

Needspaceforlego · 16/03/2025 07:51

I wouldn't consider it either not in a 4 bed house.
Kids out playing manky feet needing the loo.
Do you really want visitors trailing upstairs for the loo, or having a party, the main bathroom is occupied so folk trapesing into your room.

Do a floor plan and let MN see what better ideas we can come up with.

JoyousEagle · 16/03/2025 07:52

Kissedbyfire1 · 16/03/2025 07:48

We have a two bed, two bath property, open plan downstairs. Same issue with the downstairs loo being, to all intents and purposes, in the living room. We took it out and installed the washing machine instead together with shelving and coat hooks so now it’s a tiny utility room. Perfect for our needs and we still have two loos. I don’t make alterations to my home with imaginary buyers in an unknown future in mind. I’m living in it now and want it to work for me.

I agree with you about future buyers unless planning to sell fairly soon.

I’d be seeing whether there was anyway to reconfigure the downstairs so the door didn’t open into the living room though - as I said, this would definitely put me off as a buyer if that’s what you’re worried about OP. It would probably put me off more than a house without a downstairs loo. I assume taking it out and leaving all the pipe work in place isn’t really an option for OP, because she’s not looking to change it into a utility, she’s looking to completely change the layout.

24Dogcuddler · 16/03/2025 07:56

Lots of people look for a downstairs toilet in a property. The location doesn’t sound ideal though.
Sounds like you need someone like Kirstie Allsop!
As a PP suggests people on here may have ideas.
There are those space saving toilets with a sink on the back.

MyUmberSeal · 16/03/2025 07:59

I honestly wouldn’t consider a house that didn’t have a downstairs loo. Is it possible you can reconfigure, but keep, or create a new space for a loo?

HarryVanderspeigle · 16/03/2025 08:00

I think it would devalue a 4 bed in a way it wouldn't with a smaller house. I would love a downstairs loo and it is on my wish list if we ever move.

Blackcordoroys · 16/03/2025 08:02

What about having people over for dinner or parties? All going upstairs? I’d hate that

sausageupanalley · 16/03/2025 08:06

It would definitely put me off. Can you make a utility room/toilet off the kitchen as part of the reconfiguration but with it being more utility? That would definitely add value, but I agree with pp who says we need a floorplan!

NotMeNoNo · 16/03/2025 08:08

If you are reconfiguring the layout, you should fit one in. We don't have a downstairs loo as our house was never built with one , and it would need an extension. Sadly a number of friends/ family don't visit us because they can't manage stairs.

Also I don't think Building Control will let you remove it without replacing, as it makes the house less accessible to disabled visitors than it currently is. And not having building control certificate certainly devalues a house.

MuthaHubbard · 16/03/2025 08:09

I've never had a house with a downstairs loo, i'd think it a nice to have but wouldn't put me off that much.
Realise I'm in the minority here and no longer have young DC

MightyBust · 16/03/2025 08:10

I don't have a downstairs toilet in a 3 bedroom house, and it's a big negative if I'm honest.

Mischance · 16/03/2025 08:11

Wherever it us located you need a downstairs toilet for your house to have any resale appeal or value. Many people will simply swipe on to the next property if they see there is not one and won't even bother to view.

RedRiverShore5 · 16/03/2025 08:13

It's ok not to have one in a smaller house as space is often at a premium but a 4 bed with a big open plan downstairs surely has room to squeeze one in somewhere

crumpleduppieceofpaper · 16/03/2025 08:17

I'm surprised a 4 bed doesn’t have a downstairs loo - that’s quite unusual. Fairly normal in an old terrace (either that, or the whole bathroom is still downstairs) but in a 4 bed I would want one. It would definitely put me off buying.

Fizbosshoes · 16/03/2025 08:18

Agree with pp if the footprint is big enough for 4 bedrooms , and you are reconfiguring anyway, it makes sense to keep downstairs toilet.
Although if you are planning to stay in the house for a long period of time then it's appeal to future buyers is less relevant.

ByQuaintAzureWasp · 16/03/2025 08:21

I would keep tge downstairs loo

pearbottomjeans · 16/03/2025 08:27

We didn’t have a downstairs loo until our kids were older, was never a problem at all. We have one now and it’s good of course but not life changing.

We looked at options to put one into one of our old houses. Builder looked at me like I was absolutely crazy because I didn’t fancy a toilet which was essentially in a cupboard in the dining room. I’d rather go upstairs!

My point is, it’s pointless to worry about potential buyers - if a lack of downstairs loo is going to put them off buying your house, then they’re not a potential buyer are they. There will be lots of people it doesn’t matter for. You’re living in your house now and presumably for a while if you’re making these changes. Do what you want!

TubeScreamer · 16/03/2025 08:30

I think it will hugely devalue your property.

I wouldn’t consider a house without one.

BeyondMyWits · 16/03/2025 08:33

Make your house fit for you right now, and change it as your needs evolve. You might never move.

RedRiverShore5 · 16/03/2025 08:37

Are you thinking of moving in the near future, if not do what you want, when you come to move anyway if ever, a large open plan space may be the thing that devalues it. You buy a house for yourself not the next owner.