Bathroom located outside flat in period house

Orlak2410

I've been offered a studio flat within a converted period house. However, the bathroom is located outside the flat in the hallway but it is for my exclusive use. Is this in compliance with the minimum standards for rented housing? I've seen this set up before at previous viewings. Thanks.

Seth Brundle

Is your studio flat really just a bedsit?

Orlak2410

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122307193#Comment_122307193

yes why?

Orlak2410

12

Orlak2410

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122307193#Comment_122307193

Can I ask what you meant by this? I can't find any other info on the subject. Thanks.

Seth Brundle

What you have described is a crappy room in a house, presumably with kitchen and sleeping facilities in there but with a shared bathroom - a bedsit.

They were very common for students, etc.before being outlelawed due to their link with below-standard set up

L1011

This does not meet the minimum standards. Laundry facilities can be separate; bathroom cannot even if exclusive. This cannot be rented as a unit on its own.

Bass Reeves

It is what it is. If the bathroom is for your exclusive use while being separate to the unit may not ideal, it woukd not ve a deal maker if the price was right.

Recently stayed in an Airbnb, again a period house newly done up where two bedrooms shared a kitchen and toilet. Room charge was reasonable bathroom and kitchen were very modern.

Back to your house OP it is what it is. You complaining will not change. Landlord is unlikely to change the layout especially if a period house and I am not sure if you read the regulations correct

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122338762#Comment_122338762

I am not sure if you are totally correct the exact wording

"a water closet with a dedicated wash hand basin with hot and cold water

a separate room, for the exclusive use of each rented unit, with a toilet, a washbasin and a fixed bath or shower with hot and cold water"

From my reading of the above it must be a separate room to the living and sleeping but it dose not mention it has to be within the unit it just has to be for your exclusive use

L1011

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122338942#Comment_122338942

You are reading a list off Citizen Information or similar that misses the critical first section. I am using the actual legislation.

"5. (1) There shall be provided within the same habitable area of the house, for the exclusive use of the house:"

Outside the unit is a no-go. Moving the front door of the unit may be sufficient if it is literally outside the door; but if you are having to pass through a shared area it does not and cannot meet standards.

Not made with hands

Why do people get so worked up about these things?

Either take it or leave it.

What difference does it make if it 100% complies with current legislation or not.

L1011

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122339300#Comment_122339300

If you get a standards inspection - which is happening more and more now - you'll be looking for somewhere else pretty quickly.

Also, it is very unlikely to be the only thing which isn't legal.

Seth Brundle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122339300#Comment_122339300

There was a reason why they were outlawed. Dodgy electrics. Dodgy ventilation. Dodgy heating. Dodgy every which way!

Orlak2410

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122338942#Comment_122338942

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122339261#Comment_122339261

This is exactly what has me so confused. Why do they mention that the bathroom must be for the exclusive use of the household if it must be enclosed within the same habitable area of the house anyway? Your neighbour is hardly going to share your bathroom with you by knocking on your front door to come in and use it. Also, 'habitable area' is not defined in the legislation, habitable room is but not habitable area. Habitable area could mean the apartment building for all we know. I think it is definitely a grey area.

Orlak2410

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122339349#Comment_122339349

Would they really be so stringent in the middle of a housing crisis? Looking for somewhere else isn't a few week long process anymore. Can take months even years, all the while I'd be on the streets.

L1011

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122343092#Comment_122343092

The "of the house" bit would mean it's within your unit.

Orlak2410

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122339300#Comment_122339300

If the Council inspect it and are not happy with it.

L1011

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122343106#Comment_122343106

Yes

Orlak2410

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122343120#Comment_122343120

Do you have experience with this?

Seth Brundle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122343134#Comment_122343134

You seem to not want to hear the negative news presumably because you want the place. Fine, go for it but remember that if the owner is already bending or breaking the rules, what other rules are getting bent or broken?

Orlak2410

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122343231#Comment_122343231

Of course I don't but you have to understand why. I've been looking for so long and now I've finally been offered something. The flat is nice, in a good location and not too expensive.

Bass Reeves

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122339261#Comment_122339261

I took my information off the Carlow LA we site. Remember this is a unit within a oeriid house which probably has limitations as to what you can doin the line of structural alternations within the house.

My view to the OP if it not for him move on. We are already seeing LL selling up over issues that will cost significant funds to change

Orlak2410

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122343411#Comment_122343411

It would be a pre 63 building so maybe it does have some exemptions to current regulations.

L1011

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122343411#Comment_122343411

Its still inaccurate info missing the most important section, and being a period house does not override the regulations.

L1011

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122343440#Comment_122343440

No, it won't.

Orlak2410

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122343456#Comment_122343456

Why are pre 63 buildings sought after then?

L1011

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122343464#Comment_122343464

Because they bypass planning rules; and only planning rules - not rental standards.

The place is not compliant, no amount of wishing that away will make it so.

Orlak2410

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122343478#Comment_122343478

You may not be telling me what I want to hear but I do appreciate you're honesty, thanks.

C3PO

if it was me, and I liked the flat and this was the only real issue, I would take a chance and move in! What’s the worst case scenario?

Orlak2410

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122356422#Comment_122356422

I move from my current place to this one, lose it when an inspector condemns it and then end up with nowhere to live...

C3PO

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122359363#Comment_122359363

The chances of an inspection are slim. Even if there was one and the flat was condemned, you would be given loads of time to find somewhere new. This is not a safety issue. But I obviously can’t make that call for you.

Bass Reeves

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122359363#Comment_122359363

Unless you are getting HAP it's highly unlikely you would get an inspection. If there was an Inspection its possible no enforcement action woukd be taken