Is there a price difference between a bedroom & a study?

[BlueSkyDay]

Hi All,

Looking at buying a PPOR and found a place that appears to meet all of our requirements.

However looking at the original building plans, and subsequent renovation approvals, it appears that the house originally had 4 bedrooms with a study, and somewhere along the line the current owners have converted one of the bedrooms into a (massive) ensuite.

On the approved plans for the ensuite, the house officially now has 3 bedrooms and a study. The study is actually quite a good size, being only marginally smaller than the other bedrooms, it has a large window, small built-in cupboard, has a normal ceiling height, and for all intents and purposes looks like a bedroom.

My question is does the fact that it's a 3 bedroom plus study, make it any different price wise from a 4 bedroom house (with no study)? The price guide for the property puts it well into the 4 bedroom price range and I'm concerned that we might overpay for something that we'll be forced to sell as a 3 bedroom plus study later on.

I've not run into this issue before, though I'm not even sure it is an issue! Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Propertunity]

Yes having fewer bedrooms will affect the price (downwards) BUT you now have an extra bathroom, which will affect the price (upwards). So probably not much in it either way.

 

[BlueSkyDay]

Thanks Propertunity.

I forgot to add that the original floorplan did include an ensuite, though it was one of those really small early 80's ones where it's only a shower-width wide.

 

[Propertunity]

Even so, come time to sell your 3brm + study, just put a single bed in the study and call it a bedroom. No-one will know any different if it is a decent size.

 

[Brady]

Even so, come time to sell your 3brm + study, just put a single bed in the study and call it a bedroom. No-one will know any different if it is a decent size.

Very common. If it can fit a bed and has a door it can be a bedroom. More bedrooms = more value in most cases.

 

[zimby]

Very common. If it can fit a bed and has a door it can be a bedroom. More bedrooms = more value in most cases.

Are there not legal requirements for a window in a bedroom?
Guess it probably doesn't matter if its just a sale.

 

[Perp]

Are there not legal requirements for a window in a bedroom?
Guess it probably doesn't matter if its just a sale.

It matters a lot. It's illegal to label a room that doesn't comply with the Building Code of Australia requirements for a habitable room as a bedroom.

I suspect it's precisely for that reason that it's labelled a study, and it may not be a problem for you, but I'd still want to know what it is about the room that prevents it being called a bedroom. It could be ceiling height (is it on a different level?), it could be that it doesn't have adequate ventilation, or a number of other reasons.

 

[Perp]

If it can fit a bed and has a door it can be a bedroom.

No, it's really not that simple, alas.

 

[Scott No Mates]

A habitable room as pointed out must comply with the BCA, a kitchen, hallway, ensuite, bathroom, storeroom, laundry, garage aren't classed as habitable - these rooms can have a lower ceiling.

A fourth bedroom would be better than 3 however other elements come into play eg second bathroom/ensuite, second living area would add even more value.

 

[Tano]

Is there a size requirement (area or min dimensions) for a habitable bedroom?

 

[Perp]

Is there a size requirement (area or min dimensions) for a habitable bedroom?

In WA, I don't think so. Only the usual minimum 2.4m height, ventilation and lighting requirements etc.

 

[BlueSkyDay]

Thank you for all the replies!

I've measured the room and as far as I can tell it could be classed as bedroom. I guess I've got two further questions as a result:

1. If the room has all the requirements to be classed as a bedroom, why was it originally sold as a 4 bedroom plus study? Wouldn't the builder have been better off selling it as a 5 bedroom, or are there other implications in doing this?

2. If I were to submit plans for a further renovation (the house would really benefit from installing a pergola on the back), could I update the status of the room to officially be a bedroom at the same time, or is there really no point in doing this?