Should I retain the bath

Folks

Could do with a bit of advice.

Have a place rented which has one bedroom with an ensuite.

The other shower is in the main bathroom and is over a bath. I have a problem with leaks from the shower in the bathroom and had pretty much decided to get rid of the bath and install a new quadrant shower unit.

However, the plumber advised me to think twice about this. He suggested instead that I put in a new "pressed steel" bath. He said that a house without an actual bath will put off buyers in the future..... especially families with kids.

He said that (as far as he knows) a bath is essential under UK regulations and we are likely to follow the UK.

Incidentally........a pressed steel bath is designed to take the weight of an adult standing at one end while showering whereas a conventional bath is not. Such a bath is only 200 euro apparently.

thanks in advance

Don't know about regulations but personally I think keeping he bath would be a good idea - families with kids usually want one - anyone else agree?

TLC said:

Don't know about regulations but personally I think keeping he bath would be a good idea - families with kids usually want one - anyone else agree?

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i agree - keep the bath

definitely keep it - you can't put a baby in a shower !

Yep.... They grow out of the sink pretty quickly!

WILLY NILLY said:

... He said that a house without an actual bath will put off buyers in the future..... especially families with kids...

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I agree - an absolute must.

Keep the bath, I don't know what the 'steel bath is but I had a problem with leaks from the shower down the back of a bath and the tiler put in a special layer/thing but I cannot remember what it was called, I've had no problems for a year now with it. The 2nd floor is wooden construction rather than concrete and I understand it means no matter how well you tile that there is some give between the bath and the wall/floor hence the reason for recurring leaks no matter how well you seal. If a steel bath solves this then it might be the way to go. It will be interesting to see how you get on and you might tell us in a year or so if you go with this.

thanks.

The bath stays.

The plumber also suggested a process called "tanking" to ensure that the whole showering area is sealed 100%.

I must ask him about this some more including the cost

That's the word 'tanking'. That's what I have.

Agree. Get the tanking done, it can be quite pricey - my plumber charged about €200, but in retrospect, he was a bit of a cowboy anyway.

€200 is nothing for tanking - at least compared to the costs of persistent leaks You got a bargain.

Well, the steel bath has been installed and the new bathroom unit looks well with matching white tiles.

Now, here is my next question...

Can I claim the cost (€2500) as repairs in the tax computation?

WILLY NILLY said:

Well, the steel bath has been installed and the new bathroom unit looks well with matching white tiles.

Now, here is my next question...

Can I claim the cost (€2500) as repairs in the tax computation?

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That's a million doller question. It was leaking and you had it repaired so yes, or no it was capital expenditure so you can write it off against CGT should you sell. I personally would claim it but write a letter to the tax office telling them why you are claiming it. Then it's up to them to write back to you saying no you are incorrect. I think the rule is if something cannot be repaired then you are allowed to replace it even if that results in an improvement. Improvements are generally capital expenditure but I defer to the tax experts on AAM for this.