16 point plans for adaptable housing

[StoneHenge]

I heard on the radio this morning a plan the government want to introduce for all new builds so that they are easily adaptable for those of us living longer.

The plans would include making it compulsary for new builds to have:

1) Downstairs toilet/bathroom
2) Doors wide enough to fit a wheelchair through
3) Stairs wide enough for a chair lift

Among other things which will help homes be already suitable for us living longer into our old age. This would also help less people have to move into care homes because they would not be able to manage in their own homes, and the cost of adapting them.

The cost to us now as a new home buyer would be around £550 pounds extra on top of the house price for a detached house, to around £75 for a flat, so not a huge lump sum is it?

It's one of the most sensible suggestions I've heard in a long time.

Now if they can also focus on sensible sound proofing, we might get there.

[Isis]

that is fine, but have you ever actually looked at the new homes, they are tiny, I thought mine was small whenI lived alone but they are definately getting smaller. Theu actually wrote about this in the Mail on day, can't remember when, and they said that the houses that are being built now are small than they were in the 80S ???? Bl**dy hell, where are they going to put all these facilities.

[Annabel]

i tend to agree isis, some of these new builds are teeny tiny, and if they are going to have to make wider stairs and hallways and squeeze in a downstairs bathroom they will nick the room from the living spaces rather than build a bigger house.

i have always liked the idea of a downstairs bathroom, with just a loo upstairs, personally.

[sp54]

I think the idea is a good one, but as has been said already, new builds are so teeny weeny these days - it's disgraceful they are allowed to build places so small :mad: My son is about to buy his first flat and the master bedroom will have to have the bed against the wall so one has to climb over the other to get in and out, and if they are lucky they might squeeze a very small wardrobe in as well if they walk past it sideways on. Good job they are both skinny!! But no way would places like these new builds be adaptable :(

[Annabel]

:eek: reminds me of my first flat! i literally had room for a bed and a small wardrobe and the kitchen only had room for two wall cabinets and work surface along one side of it.

the living room was the same size as the bedroom and there was no room for a dining table at all.

the bedsit i lived in was more spacious!

aaah, happy times:lol:

[mazza]

It's about time that these greedy devolpers actually thought about the properties they are building and provided sensible living spaces.

I can assure anyone that it is something we should all consider - you might need to make use of these types of facilities well before your old age (eg through illness) and it is a miserable existence when you are not comfortable and able to do the most basic things (like shower, go loo) in your own home.

I would like to see all homes to be made easily adaptable asap.

When you think about it, having a bathroom upstairs is a pretty stupid idea really :huh: .

[StoneHenge]

It is that mazza, don't know who thought of it! One house we looked at many years ago did have a downstairs bathroom as the house was a terrace and the stairs were quite steep. Lovely house, big rooms, but no way you could have gotten a wheelchair in and a stair lift was a huge no no.

What these builders call houses these days are nothing more than over sized shoeboxes with door on them.

[Annabel]

Persimmon (largest Housebuilder in UK) just announced record profits for last year. They are increasing their dividend payout to shareholders by 10%. However, the interesting stat for me was that they make a 21% profit on every new property they sell! what a lovely mark up! money for old rope if you ask me;)