Adding a New Bathroom – Helping Tenants Avoid the Bedroom Tax

A housing association in Liverpool is looking at ways to help families avoid the unfair ‘bedroom tax’ imposed by the Conservative Government. This unfair tax has seen households plunged into poverty, causing increasing amounts of stress for families. The shortage of suitable housing means many families are trapped in houses or flats which they are under occupying.

Many councils have implemented different measures to help out families including reclassifying rooms. Magenta Living, formerly known as Wirral Partnership Homes is looking at moving 200 outside bathrooms into properties, using a spare bedroom, and helping dodge the bedroom tax and make life easier for many families.

Brian Simpson, Magenta Living’s chief executive, said: ‘We are developing a scheme to relocate poorly insulated prefabricated bathroom units which were fitted many years ago to the rear of some houses into the inside of these homes. The consequence of this work will be that the number of bedrooms will be reduced in these properties.’

It is actually very easy to add/move a bathroom in your home, without it being too costly and add value to your home. One of the biggest challenges is plumbing and drainage however there are some simple and affordable options. Finding room for pipes can be tricky, whether you converting a bedroom to a bathroom or smaller spaces such as under the stairs or other unique spaces.

UK Bathrooms WC fitted under stairs

The simplest option is fitting macerating toilet systems. A macerating toilet system works by breaking up toilet waste in a sealed pump converting the water and waste into a fine slurry. This is then discharged under pressure through piping and expelled into the sewer or septic tank. Thus avoiding fitting large waste pipes. It’s a great space saving option.

As well as being space saving, these types of toilet are also environmentally friendly using 20 percent less water than standard toilets. Saniflo are one of the main manufacturers of macerating toilet systems, as well as providing the toilet systems they also offer shower pump macerators to get rid of shower and sink waste in bathrooms, through small pipes, to the main drain lines.

The main thing to ensure when adding a new bathroom is that your water pipes are adequate enough to cope with an increase in demand. A plumber will be able to advise you of this checking to make sure you can add new pipes to the old ones. Not only do you need to check your pipes, but also your water heating systems.

If you are working with a small space, space saving bathroom suites are a great option. The toilets and sinks tend to be smaller in diameter or width to fit into small spaces and baths/showers again are shaped to give the maximum usable space in the smallest room. Multiuse fixtures and fittings will also help save space or fit better into smaller spaces.

Adding a new or extra bathroom has never been easier or more affordable.