Would this put you off?

[NewpyMum]

Would you be put off by this basement room? Listing here

We have a two bed flat with a basement room (full brand new ventilation system and protected means of escape so totally compliant) without a window.

My husband was a building control surveyor and it’s all signed off so we 100% know that it’s legal and I’m not asking about that aspect of it.

For us it’s been perfect as an office/spare room and then a room for our children. Actually amazing because I never have to worry about too might early morning and late night sun disturbing their sleep or super high and low temperatures because it’s a well controlled temperature all the time.

But as we are now having viewings, the majority of the feedback is that they don’t like the room. We kind of knew this might be an issue but hoped the rest of the flat would speak for itself and have a lower price to compensate for this.

Would really like to hear your thoughts on this.

For context, it’s in a great location (5 minute walk from station that takes you to London Bridge and Victoria in 15 minutes) and is a lovely local area on the south side of Croydon. Also comes with garage and private off street parking.

Does a second bedroom with no window outweigh all of this?

yes it would, to me that's a 1 bed flat with a cellar room and marketing it as a 2 bed is somewhat stretching the definition.
The small kitchen would also put me off but it's a beautifully presented flat.

Yes it would put me off. I'm not sure many looking for a two bed would want to put either themselves or their children in a basement with no windows.

whats ok for young children might not be for older children.

It would put me off if I wanted a second bedroom to use as a bedroom.

If I wanted to use it as an office (and had absolutely no plans to ever need to use it as a bedroom) then I’d be ok with it.

Yes it would be if it was to be used / and marketed as a second bedroom . As a dining room / t.v. room then maybe not .

It's a one bed with a small storage room. If I was looking for a one bed, it would be fine. There's no way I'd use a windowless storage room as a bedroom.

I wouldn't want a bedroom with no natural light. If you want to keep the 2-bed description, perhaps describe it as a 'bedroom/rumpus room', and add that it complies with regulations for use as a bedroom?

I think the issue here is you marketing it as a two Bed. I totally see what you're saying that the cellar room complies with all building regs - but realistically most people would expect a bedroom to have a window.
If you market it as a one bed - with a bonus of an extra room in the basement - to be used as whatever the new occupier wants - then you might get more interest.

The property is really well presented an I like the style - just the assumption that the cellar room will be used as a bedroom is the issue I think.

You should mention in the listing that there's no window. I'd be annoyed if I wasted time viewing it expecting a second bedroom.

I'm afraid it would put me off too. It's a beautiful flat and if I was only looking for one bedroom, I would be interested. Obviously not if it was priced as a 2 bed though.

I wouldn't want to view what I thought was a 2 bed flat, to discover it's a 1 bed with a converted cellar. I would find the room claustrophic if I had it as a bedroom. I think you need to remarket it as a 1 bed flat with additional room in the basement.

I think you would do better to market as a one bed with a useful extra room that could be a spare bedroom/office/gym.

Yes it would. How does the means of escape work if there's no window? I think an average buyer would assume there's no fire escape route if no window and would be a bit skeptical without seeing the legal documents. Even then, despite it being legal I think they wouldn't feel safe.
Personally the daylight or claustrophobia wouldn't bother me as I always keep blinds shut, but the escape route would be a concern.

Looks Lovely and the basement room would be considered completely normal in Canada where I used to live.

It would put me off and I think the photos should make it clear that there's no window

I think it should be explicit in the listing that there is no window but compliant with being used as a bedroom then people can make up their mind before viewing - saves you a lot of wasted time too preparing for viewings

It’s a beautifully presented flat but it’s not a two bedroom.

It’s quite possible that people viewing will find the idea of two children sleeping in a windowless basement quite creepy/sad.

While your flat is very beautiful and well presented, yes the basement room would put me off when viewed in the context of a second bedroom. Especially a kids bedroom. The idea of my child down there if a fire broke out in the night is making me feel panicky.

Maybe if you laid it out as a gym room or an office people would be more swayed to see it as a viable second room? I think in a bedroom people generally like a window to be able to air the room out, even if it is building regs compliant without one.

What is a “protected means of escape”@NewpyMum
is your garage attached to your flat ?
If so could it be converted into another bedroom and use the basement for storage ?

I don't know what is up with that first photo, but it makes the house look like it's sinking into the ground on one side. I am sure that is not the intention, but that angle is doing the house no favors.

I would consider it to be a brilliant bonus room if I was in the market for a 1 bedroom flat. It would put me off if I was looking at and comparing it to 2 bedrooms flats.

I think it would depend on how spacious the basement room feels once I was actually in it. EA photos can be deceptive. It would probably be better to call it something other than a bedroom.

(Are there really buyers who turn up that haven't looked at the photos and layout and realised the second bedroom is in the basement and has no windows?)

Absolutely beautiful flat, btw!

It is a one bed with bonus room.
Suits a single/ couple .

I wouldn’t sleep in a room without a window and wouldn’t expect a child to either. I think you need to advertise it for what it is - one bedroom plus basement.

Agree with this. It’s a beautiful one bed flat with a bonus home office, or something like that.