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?

I mean, from the floor plan and the pictures, it appeared there was no window in the kitchen. The OP says there is one.

This.

It may pass building regulations but I don’t think it is right. I think it is unfair on your children to sleep in a below ground level cupboard.

Have you seen how much other one bed flats in your area are selling for? They average £200k although none have a basement room. If you’re going to fork out £300k for a flat in Croydon, you’ll be looking at two bedders, not s one bedroom flat with a basement room with no windows that’s generally infeasible to use as a second bedroom.

I wouldn't want anyone to sleep in a windowless room. That basement room would be ok for a study (if not used all the time), or a gym if big enough, but that's about it.

It’s not being marketed as a two bedroom though. On the front page summary it says one bedroom. It’s only when you go through the blurb that second bedroom/study comes up.

i personally wouldn’t have a problem with it. Our cellar is tanked, ventilated to an inch of it’s life so we don’t get mould or condensation and it’s a wonderful place to store food etc, and to go when it’s hot in the summer.

If you read the thread, the OP got it changed.
It was being marketed as a two bed when she started the thread.

It has some great USP's and is in lovely order. Marketed correctly for what it is (as you have now done) but at the appropriate price - it will definitely sell.
I think £270k is about where you would need to be to start attracting offers - once your competing with other 1 beds in the area it has some attractive advantages. Croydon has some major issues but priced appropriately people will buy there.

For me, it’s the fire risk, which you can’t control in a flat with other households living around you. If the building sets on fire late at night, getting your children out of the house safely becomes severely compromised.

Ive slept on a different floor to my kids and we got used to it, but they all had large windows and living in a semi, they were all easily accessible by emergency crews if needed.

It's in Croydon.