In houses of two or more storeys, there should be space on the entrance level that could be used as a convenient bed-space.

Stated specifications and dimensions required to meet criterion

None

Frequently asked questions - Criterion 9

Q What level of furniture provision is expected in the bed-space and does the bed-space need to be partitioned off from the rest of the room?

A The provision of this bed space relates to a temporary situation e.g. a household member with a broken leg or recovering from a hip operation.
Minimal provision should consist of: A single bed-space, space for a single wardrobe or small chest of drawers and a bedside cabinet. An electrical socket should be available within the space. The position should also allow convenient temporary screening from the rest of the room.
Preferred provision would enable the area to be partitioned off, with its own window and heating source, and one additional item of furniture in addition to the above minimal requirements.

Q Does the bed space area have to be self contained and separate from the normal living room furniture arrangement?

A The provision is typically provided within a corner of the living room. It is reasonable to expect compromise within the furniture layout of the remainder of the room whist this temporary layout is in place. However, the ‘compromised’ room should still be able to function as a living room, though somewhat reduced, for the given occupancy of the dwelling. Screening to the bed-space should be possible, but it does not need to be within a self-contained room.


Q Can a flat over garages (FOG) and/or a duplex with no accommodation on the entrance level other than a private lobby giving access to a private stair to the first floor (the first floor being the storey with rooms) achieve the Lifetime Homes Standard?

A A dwelling with a lack of key entrance level LTH facilities (i.e. accessible WC, living space, potential for temporary bed-space and space for a through floor lift) cannot fully satisfy the required LTH Criteria.

However, a case can be put with flats over garages (FOGs) which have no entrance level accommodation at all, that if a private staircase up to the storey containing the rooms is ‘easy going’, with goings and risers meeting the ‘easy going’ pitch (i.e. suitable for some ambulant disabled people), and has adequate width (min 900mm) and landings for a stair-lift, then a FOG has equal, or better, accessibility as a walk up LTH flat approached by a communal stair. If the FOG also contains all the other relevant LTH Criteria, then given the limitations imposed by the stair access situation, the LTH principles for that FOG are met as far as is practicable and possible.

If the above principle is also applied to a duplex also served by a private staircase and no ‘entrance level’ facilities, then to achieve the LTH principles as far as possible, the duplex should be treated as a LTH property with the entrance to that property at the top of the initial flight of (easy going) stairs. Entrance level LTH facilities (the accessible WC, living space, potential through floor lift space, and potential bed-space should therefore be on the initial (first) storey that contains accommodation.

In practice, FOGs and duplexes with no ‘entrance level’ accommodation will not be able to maximise the ‘vistability’ aspects within some LTH principles. The above, if applied, will however maximise potential use and accessibility of the dwelling having regard for the initial entrance / staircase situation.

Additional good practice recommendations

(i) Provide a versatile entrance level layout and planned circulation arrangement that enables different use of areas according to household choice. E.g. A self contained dining area, with all services self contained within that area, and individual window, that could function as a bedroom (or be easily partitioned off as a bedroom if desired) with the dining function relocated to other living or kitchen space.