Does not having a bath devalue your house?

Love them or hate them, baths have been a staple in British bathrooms for decades. Let’s face it, most Brits barely use their baths, but the idea of living in a house without one may well send shivers up your spine.

Whichever side of the bath/shower debate you stand on, here we’ll answer that all-important question: does not having a bath devalue your house?

Does not having a bath devalue your house?

Removing your bath could well devalue your house, especially if your property is a family home. Without a bath, you’ll be limiting your market when you come to sell your property.

Regardless of the value of your home, if your property is ideal for families but it doesn’t have a bath, it will almost certainly take longer to sell. And the longer your property is on the market, the less it will often sell for.

Why does not having a bath devalue a house?

There are a number of reasons that properties might sell for less without a bath.

• Families find baths easier. Baths are easier than showers when it comes to bed times
• There’s an expectation. Although showers are much more often used than baths nowadays, there’s still an expectation that a bathroom should have a bath
• People like to have the option. Even people who rarely take baths like to have the option. Baths are often seen as a treat that people would like to be able to take advantage of (even if it’s only twice a year!)
• Adding a bath is a hassle. Even if there’s enough room for a buyer to add a bath later down the line, they may see this as an expensive hassle they’d rather do without

Generally speaking, if your house lacks a bath, potential buyers will comment on that when they’re viewing your property. So, not having a bath is certainly viewed as a negative. And remember: when you’re selling your house, the fewer negatives you give potential buyers, the more likely they are to buy your home for a good price!

Should I keep my bath?

Even though getting rid of your bath is generally a bad idea, it’s not super black and white. Rather, there are a few other factors you should bear in mind when considering whether removing a bath could devalue your home.

What kind of property do you have?

Consider the type of property you own and who your potential buyers might be. If you own a studio flat or a home suited to young professionals, a bath might not be as much of a dealbreaker. But it should be your priority if your property is a family home.

What will you gain?

Although removing a bath could devalue your property, if you play things right, you could actually gain more than you lose. It all depends on what you plan to replace your bath with.

For instance, if ripping out the bath means you can reconfigure your house and add an extra bedroom, so you could actually add value to your home. Adding a bedroom can add as much as 15-20% to your property’s price tag! However, if you’re going to replace the bath with a shower or simply enjoy more bathroom space, you’re not likely to add more value.

Do you have more than one bath?

If you have more than one bath in your home, removing one won’t typically be an issue. After all, potential buyers who want a bath in their new home aren’t necessarily looking for several!

If your property is a family home, it’s important to make sure that there’s a family bathroom with a bath, as this is what most families will be after. Having said that, a master bedroom with an en suite and bath can be very appealing to buyers too!

What should I do instead of removing a bath?

If you wish you could remove your bath – but the impact on your property price has put you off – don’t worry. There are other things you can do. Here are a few ideas.

• Add a bath and shower! This one sounds obvious, but if you’re dreaming of a walk-in shower in place of your bath tub, why not instead enjoy both (if you have the space, of course)?! Not only will you get to enjoy long showers and relaxing soaks, but having both is sure to impress potential buyers when you come to sell too
• Get a shorter bath. If you feel like you don’t have enough space for a bath in your bathroom, consider getting a shorter bath. While standard-sized baths measure 1.7m by 0.7m, there are many bath companies that now offer space-saving models. You could even consider corner baths or ‘deep soak’ Japanese-style bathtubs if it works better for your space
• Get an over-bath shower. If you don’t have room for a shower and a bathtub, you can still enjoy the best of both. Installing a shower and screen over your existing bath will allow you to use it as a bath or shower depending on where your mood takes you. Or, you can buy a dedicated shower bath to replace your tub with

Does adding a bath increase a house’s value?

Finally, if your house doesn’t already have a bath, you might be wondering whether adding one could increase the value of your home.

Well, it certainly could do – especially if your house is a family home, as potential buyers will likely expect at least one family bathroom with a bath. Even if adding a bath doesn’t increase your home’s value, it will certainly improve its saleability by appealing to a bigger pool of buyers.

In fact, it’s important not to underestimate the power of a good bathroom. Remodelling your bathroom could add up to 4% to your home’s value, especially if your suite is old, outdated or damaged. Including a slick bath in your remodel can only help!

Key takeaways

• Not having a bath can devalue your house, especially if your property is a family home
• Consider space-saving baths or shower baths if you’re short on space
• Removing a bath shouldn’t be an issue if you have more than one