Bedroom Yes or No ?

[Sam Morris, 341 CMI]

Inspecting a house today with a contractor friend of the buyers. I told him that the basement room that he referred to as a bedroom was NOT a bedroom that I was listing it as an office. He wanted to know why and I told him the room has the secondary egress needed (main door & exterior door) but, lacked the natural sunlight because it had no window (room had outlets, lighting, heat, closet and 2 doors-one going to outside-No smoke detector) Who is correct ?

[Chuck Evans]

He is. You're not there to argue over room designations.

If he says it's a bedroom, inspect it as a bedroom and list the ways it's deficient as a bedroom.

[Marc A. Goldenberg]

What Chuck said.
As long as there's a closet it can be considered a bedroom.

[Sam Morris, 341 CMI]

Originally Posted by smorris1

Inspecting a house today with a contractor friend of the buyers. I told him that the basement room that he referred to as a bedroom was NOT a bedroom that I was listing it as an office. He wanted to know why and I told him the room has the secondary egress needed (main door & exterior door) but, lacked the natural sunlight because it had no window (room had outlets, lighting, heat, closet and 2 doors-one going to outside-No smoke detector) Who is correct ?

I can do that, either way works (basement bedroom -no window (no natural lighting or ventilation present)

[Mark A. Timpani, CMI]

Let the AHJ decide what it is. Also I am in Tucson and last year when I called our AHJ about rooms with out closets or the bedroom /closet debate, they said it is just an old wives tale. They said it makes sense to have a closet and Realtors keep the myth going, but if someone wants to sleep in a room without a closet - they can.

[Bradley K. Toye, CMI]

Originally Posted by mtimpani

Let the AHJ decide what it is. Also I am in Tucson and last year when I called our AHJ about rooms with out closets or the bedroom /closet debate, they said it is just an old wives tale. They said it makes sense to have a closet and Realtors keep the myth going, but if someone wants to sleep in a room without a closet - they can.

Agreed. There is nothing in the current code that says a bedroom requires a closet. More than 70sf, natural light, fresh air ventilation, and emergency escape means are required.

[Larry Kage, CMI]

Originally Posted by mtimpani

Let the AHJ decide what it is. Also I am in Tucson and last year when I called our AHJ about rooms with out closets or the bedroom /closet debate, they said it is just an old wives tale. They said it makes sense to have a closet and Realtors keep the myth going, but if someone wants to sleep in a room without a closet - they can.

Originally Posted by btoye

Agreed. There is nothing in the current code that says a bedroom requires a closet. More than 70sf, natural light, fresh air ventilation, and emergency escape means are required.

Correct..

[John Olson]

In Wisconsin you can borrow light from somewhere else with a window in the door sometimes they allow for louvers in the door. We need 8% of natural light for bedrooms.

[Jeffrey R. Jonas]

In days gone by... closets were a luxury, as they were deemed 'wasted space' when constructing a farmhome with local lumber.

Ever hear of, or see, an "Armoire"?

Habersham Edwardian Armoire | HA177470

[Larry Kage, CMI]

Originally Posted by mtimpani

Let the AHJ decide what it is. Also I am in Tucson and last year when I called our AHJ about rooms with out closets or the bedroom /closet debate, they said it is just an old wives tale. They said it makes sense to have a closet and Realtors keep the myth going, but if someone wants to sleep in a room without a closet - they can.

Very nice.

[Roy Lewis, CMI]

"402.1 Habitable spaces.
Every habitable space shall have not less than one window of approved size facing directly to the outdoors or to a court. The minimum total glazed area for every habitable space shall be 8 percent of the floor area of such room."

[Michael Larson]

Originally Posted by mgoldenberg

What Chuck said.
As long as there's a closet it can be considered a bedroom.

Baloney.

Show me where it says a closet is required.

Unless you are sizing a septic system its a non issue except for tradition and marketing.

YMMV

P.S. yes I note the lack of a closet with legal egress that could be used as a bedroom.

[Kevin D. Brown]

I agree with Chuck. If they want to call it a bed room. Let them. Inspect it as one.

[William B. Ogletree]

To further muddy the waters, I will bring up the local Board of Realtors (MLS) rules regarding listing a room as a "bedroom". According to the DFW board, to be listed as a bedroom, a room must have a closet and a window that opens to the exterior. It is assumed it will have a door.

This is the standard that I have become accustomed to and apply when deciding whether a room is a "sleeping room". I'm not inclined to research the listing or to try to decide which room they are calling a bedroom.