Can 2-storery house have first floor open kitchen to living area and only staircase?
Anonymous user 03/03/2024 - 3.41 PM
My partner and I are looking to rent a house which has two storeys with what I would call an unusual layout. The only staircase leads to an open living area upstairs off of which there is a small kitchen, which currently has glazing in the walls and no separating door, although a door opening is present, should one be needed. Since the only bedroom is also on this floor and not leading to a protected lobby due to the open plan staircase, we are wondering whether this layout is actually compliant and whether it is safe for us to move in or if we need to ask the landlord to ensure some level of fire separation to the kitchen as it is at the moment? There were also no smoke or heat detectors we could see on the first floor, which of course alarmed us even more.
Thank you for your opinion, time and help in advance.
Are you a tradesperson and able to answer this question?
The fact you are worried about the layout speaks for its self on wether you should rent this or not. I will add there are plenty of people live in open plan two storey flats but perhaps this one is not for you.
I may have this wrong but your description suggests this is a one bedroom property with all the accommodation on the first floor? Does this mean the ground floor is providing separate living accommodation for someone else?
If this is the case I suspect there is planning and building regulation non compliance.
If not then a fire alarm and a smoke alarm are certainly a building regulation requirement in a kitchen and especially in a rented property whether on the ground or first floor.
If a garage is present on the ground floor then a protected staircase may well be required if there is access to or through the garage. There really needs to be more detail to give a full answer.
You would certainly need heat and smoke detectors. Also - I would expect a sleeping area to be separated from a kitchen for fire safety. It depends on the ground floor layout - whether the staircase leads down to a protected space (hall/lobby) - with direct access to a final exit to outside.
You should ask your landlord for the Building Regulations certificate for the property. If he/she cannot provide it then I would be very concerned. It is difficult to be clear without more information on the property - and occupancy. I would certainly have it checked out by a Building Inspector.
