Bedroom size

Q

I have a rental property built in the 1950s with a small room measuring 1.6m wide and 5.8m² in area. I feel the property is a three-bedroom home, inclusive of this room, and would like to rent it as such. However, I’ve heard the room might not meet the legal standards for a bedroom, so I may have no choice but to advertise it as a two-bedroom property, which could adversely affect my return. Are there any exemptions for older properties that might allow this?

A

The Housing Improvement Regulations 1947 require bedrooms to meet a minimum width of 1.8m and an area of at least 6m². Unfortunately, your room does not meet these requirements, as its width of 1.6m and area are both below the minimum standard. An amendment in 1975 broadened the definition of “existing houses” to include properties built before April 23, 1975, such as yours. This allows rooms measuring between 4.5m² and 6m² to be used as bedrooms for children under 10. However, the width requirement of 1.8m remains non-negotiable regardless of the home’s age. Although you view the property as a three-bedroom home, advertising it as such may expose you to disputes if tenants challenge the compliance of this room. This could mean marketing it as a two-bedroom home.

One way to mitigate this is by promoting the property as a two-bedroom home with an office – this could be a strong selling point, specially in the post-Covid era where many tenants appreciate having a home office.

Alternatively, you could check with your local council for any records confirming the room’s use as a bedroom.

Ryan Weir
propertyscouts.co.nz