Bedroom windows with no exit

[ROYGBIVain]

I’ve seen a house for sale I like, where the bedroom windows only open at the top (small rectangles). Are you allowed to sell a house like this? Would it be flagged as an issue in any survey, or be an issue making price negotiable, or am I just left with replacing the windows if I buy it?

Yes why wouldn't you be able to sell a house like this? It would not be an issue in a survey unless there is some kind of structural issue likely relating to how the windows were installed. It is not an issue at all. If you don't like them and choose to proceed with the purchase, yes you would need to replace them yourself.

Yes, they may not meet current building regulations (and therefore may be flagged as such in a survey) but that’s no reason not to buy the house. Not a reason to make a lower offer, as you can clearly see what the windows look like before you make your offer.

A lot of things that are flagged in surveys are for your information, or to cover the surveyor’s arse. Things to look out for that are potentially serious are structural issues with walls/roof, drains, mould/damp, dry/wet rot, woodworm, etc. Things that can easily be changed, such as windows and doors, and kitchens/bathrooms, should already be reflected in the asking price.

Current fire safety regs say you need an exit window but they might not have been in place at the time - are the windows old? In which case you’d probably want to replace them anyway?

But yes a survey should note this, they do specifically look at windows.

Most houses you buy won't meet current building regulations, because most houses won't have been built recently.

If people had to get their house up to current building regulations, then they'd be ripping out and replacing the electrics every time they moved.

So yes, they're allowed to sell the house with the current windows and no, you're unlikely to be able to negotiate any discount based on this. If you want to the windows changed, you'll have to pay for it yourself.

"...where the bedroom windows only open at the top (small rectangles). Are you allowed to sell a house like this?"

Yes. A fire escape window from a room on the first floor only became mandatory in England & Wales from 2000 (although it was 1997 in Scotland).

So, for any house built before those dates, it was never a requirement.

Are you allowed to sell a house like this?

Of course you are, you can sell a condemned burnt out shell on a radon waste pit if you want.

Would it be flagged as an issue in any survey?

It maybe mentioned, its not a huge issue as most houses have these windows unless they where built after 2001.

Be an issue making price negotiable?

Not really, you can offer what you want but you are not owed a discount for something that does its job of water proofing the house while letting light in perfectly well.

Am I just left with replacing the windows if I buy it?

You can do that if you want, its a choice but your job to foot the bill though if you choose too.

I'm in a bungalow. All of my windows are like this. If there was a fire, the professional Fire Service will get you out.

You can buy a hammer that breaks glass and keep it visible in the room to help you get out in an emergency. They are illegal to install these days but not to have. We've lived with ours a decade and it will be a few more years before we replace them.