If a ceiling of a room is less than 2.4m can it still be used to sleep in?

[fullylucky]

If a ceiling of a room is less than 2.4m can it still be used to sleep in?

In QLD?

I know you can't call it a bedroom when it comes to selling a property but is there any laws that prevents you from using a rumpus or office or storage that has a ceiling height of less than 2.4 say 2.3m and put a bed in it?

 

[wylie]

I know plenty of people who have family members sleeping in rooms that are called store rooms due to lower than legal heights. You can sleep in a broom cupboard if you want to.

You just cannot call it a "bedroom". You couldn't advertise it as a bedroom for sale or rental purposes. What the potential purchasers or tenants do in that room is entirely up to them.

They could put a bed in the kitchen too if they wanted to. Who will stop them?

 

[fullylucky]

Good point.

 

[Tano]

The whole ceiling is <2.4m or part of it?

I think if 2/3 of the ceiling is >=2.4m then its deemed habitable.

 

[Scott No Mates]

From the BCA - WHICH IS NOW FREE - GET YOURSELF A COPY!!!

3.8.2.2 Ceiling heights
Ceiling heights (see Figure 3.8.2.1) must be not less than-
(a) in a habitable room excluding a kitchen - 2.4 m; and
(b) in a kitchen - 2.1 m; and
(c) in a corridor, passageway or the like - 2.1 m; and
(d) in a bathroom, shower room, laundry, sanitary compartment, airlock, pantry,
storeroom, garage, car parking area or the like - 2.1 m; and
(e) in an attic room, room with a sloping ceiling or projection below ceiling line or
a non-habitable room or similar space - a height that does not unduly
interfere with the proper functioning of the room or space.

 

[Xenia IM]

I know plenty of people who have family members sleeping in rooms that are called store rooms due to lower than legal heights. You can sleep in a broom cupboard if you want to.

You just cannot call it a "bedroom". You couldn't advertise it as a bedroom for sale or rental purposes. What the potential purchasers or tenants do in that room is entirely up to them.

They could put a bed in the kitchen too if they wanted to. Who will stop them?

I agree - just no jumping on beds

 

[fullylucky]

Does Brisbane city council have the power to enter your premise and search your property if they think your property structure for the ground floor is less than 2.4m?

Can they evict your tenants that are living on the ground floor?

 

[Brian84]

Scott no mates did you print out the whole bca. That is like 500 pages

 

[travelbug]

Does Brisbane city council have the power to enter your premise and search your property if they think your property structure for the ground floor is less than 2.4m?

Can they evict your tenants that are living on the ground floor?

In Sydney I attended an open home (for sale) and they had filled in underneath and made a granny flat (illegal and under height). It was empty when I saw it. According to the agent they advertised it to rent and council saw it, saw that it was not legal and made them rip the kitchen out. They could use it as storage but it was not a habitable room.

I googled it and yes it had been advertised as a granny flat.

Risk is up to you. Keep in mind you are voiding your insurance.

 

[Andrew_A]

The general descriptions: Family room, multi purpose, teenagers retreat, dual living, rumpus.

Anything from the floor to ceiling that is 2.2M is very comfortable for living purposes, over 2M generally ok though to qualify for 'bedroom' status it does need that 2.4m.

 

[Scott No Mates]

Andrew - the BCA mandates that a habitable room is 2.4m don't mislead Or quote your reference to override the building code of Oz.

 

[Andrew_A]

Andrew - the BCA mandates that a habitable room is 2.4m don't mislead Or quote your reference to override the building code of Oz.

I guess we would be talking over the difference between 'living purposes' and 'habitable room' in this case?

What you have quoted is of course correct, 2.4m is a bedroom and no less Hence the careful words in advertising for sale or rentals, reading between the lines of 'teenagers retreat', 'rumpus room' etc.. which means it's not likely to be bedroom height.

Certainly no intention to mislead, so will make my post clearer.. living purposes just means that for most people you are going to find the room comfortable for use if it's 2.2m, it's a nice height, taller people might find an issue with 2m ceilings and beams (bumping your head etc) but even that is somewhat useful, much easier if it's 2.4m and a nice plus when it's 2.7m or more in most housing and strata.

In terms of renting out per room, or dual living if two rents are allowed on a property, I wouldn't touch any room <2.4m and a legal bedroom, not really worried about what council might say but very concerned about what insurance would say when a claim needs to be made, best to steer clear 100% I believe.

 

[Andrew_A]

A definition of habitable rooms:

" a room used for normal domestic activities and

Includes a bedroom, living room, lounge room, music room, television room, kitchen, dining room, sewing room, study, playroom, family room, home theatre, and sunroom, but
Excludes a bathroom, laundry, water closet, pantry, walk-in wardrobe, corridor, hallway, lobby, photographic darkroom, clothes drying room, and other spaces of a specialised nature occupied neither frequently nor for extended periods."

I think I shouldn't be using the term 'living purposes' at all in this case, best to stick to utility room

 

[Scott No Mates]

Deleted by......

 

[Tano]

10 characters

 

[Aaron Sice]

Tano - I was literally about to put that one up.

2/3s of the room must be 2.4m or greater.

 

[Peterw]

Any one watching the Block would be up to speed on this...

 

[Ed Barton]

Any one watching the Block would be up to speed on this...

I'd rather kill myself.

 

[Peterw]

Ed, don't do that ...