No downstairs toilet. Will it devalue a property?

[wearyourpinkglove]

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.

I think you'd be unwise to get rid of it. Having lived in a terraced house with only an upstairs bathroom whilst potty training my DD, I was determined that our next house would have a downstairs loo.

I think you'd me mad to get rid of it in a 4 bed family house, and regret it. Yes I do think it would devalue and put buyers off.

It's your home, renovate it to suit you and your family, especially if you have no plans to move. Our house is a large 3 storey house but has no downstairs toilet - the only house we viewed without one but it makes up for that in many other ways.

Having said that I've been advocating to put one in for ages but DH isn't as keen - tbh though it has never been a problem, (except maybe when I had to use crutches for a few weeks.)

Depends. As you will see, there are lots of people who would not consider a place without a downstairs toilet. But some that would. Any action that reduces your pool of buyers is going to reduce the value.

But if you are intending staying there for a long time probably do what is best for you. But I would probably leave the plumbing intact so it could easily be converted back if necessary.

Ok so an old wives tale! But does anyone seriously want a loo directly off the kitchen? There’s a reason you don’t see it. We have friends with a loo separate from the basin and bath upstairs. It’s the only loo and bathroom. They have just replaced everything and kept the configuration. It’s horrible! Just like a loo off a kitchen.

Re open plan for the whole downstairs. I wouldn't recommend it. We did this at our last house - hallway remained separate but two linked reception rooms and kitchen were all open. Looked great but it was annoying. Noises from the kitchen, nowhere to be away from others using the other parts of the downstairs.

I was glad when we left and had a separate kitchen with a door again!

It used to need a lobby between the loo and kitchen. Should not have been changed.

I was fairly sure you needed two doors between toilet and cooker.
I'm Scotland so there might be different rules, but still pretty disgusting not to if you could avoid it.

Not so much people weeing but people throw up in toilets.

@wearyourpinkglove I see you have a 4.yo
You definitely don't want to get rid of your downstairs loo. The number of times our kids need the loo when out playing, or bringing their pals in.

Regarding open plan, do partial open plan. Many of us want to see dc from the kitchen and not shut ourselves off. A quieter room is a must though. All open is too open. I’d probably extend for a bigger dining kitchen, utility and cloakroom in this house though. Leave everything else alone.

What's your current floor plan and is it a terrace, semi or detstched house. I'm sure there will be a way to reconfigure but include a toilet.

I wouldn’t consider a house without one. There’s always someone who needs it, and it devalues your house not to have one. However if you are not planning to move then remove it if you want, of course, but you’d need to put it back if you did move, most likely.

Which appears to be at odds with what a previous poster was advised by her local building control.

there’s always someone who needs it

Is there? We’re a family of 5 and simultaneous loo trips are rare.

I would buy a house without a downstairs WC or somewhere to put one in. We installed one in our cottage in an old larder, partially under the stairs. We used sound insulation and a sound insulated door even though the access is from the hall.

Meant Wouldn’t *

Depends on your market. I hate open plan and a downstairs loo is essential.

Currently we do have two doors between the kitchen and the toilet. It's hard to explain the layout.

Good point about the kids running upstairs!

I wish I could post a proper layout but I'm not sure how to do that! Currently, you walk into the house and into the hallway. The stairs are to the left of the hallway. Kitchen is on your right, next door along is the loo, and straight ahead at the end of the hall is the lounge. So the toilet is between the rooms. No room for toilet under stairs.

I've seen that sort of layout in a couple of houses.
Can you close the hall of at the end. So you have a door from the hallway into the lounge? Then you at least have a door so the toilet doesn't feel like it's straight of the living room

I'd never consider NOT having a downstairs loo.