[Scibby]

Why do some NZ houses have more toilets than bathrooms? We have noticed when searching NZ real estate sites that there is often a discrepancy. Do some bathrooms have more than one toilet included? Or, are some toilets located outside of the designated bathroom area (e.g., outside)? We live in the U.S. and are a bit puzzled by it all.

[speckythecky]

Some houses have a downstairs toilet. This would not include a bath or shower and would be called a toilet as opposed to a bathroom,

[Scibby]

OH! I see. That is what we would call a "half bath". Good to know. Thanks for the reply!

[wiki]

It used to be very uncommon for toilets to be included in the bathroom - hence in NZ we never say "we're going to the bathroom" if we want a wee because all we would find is a sink, a bath and maybe a shower.

Now a lot more bathrooms are designed with toilets included, or in older houses, bathrooms have been expanded into the existing toilet room to make more space.

You'll find a lot of homes with a toilet in or next to the bathroom (upstairs or in a single story), and then a lot will have a toilet off the laundry or near the back door which is well handy if you're gardening and don't want to trapse through the house in muddy clothes.

[sarahw]

Bathrooms can be quite odd here to people who aren't used to the set-up - both houses we've had have had separate toilet, bath & shower rooms.

Kiwis are dumbfounded as to why we are knocking 3 tiny rooms (all next to each other & none of which you could swing a cat in, let alone have a decent shower or bath in!) - a toilet, bathroom & a shower room into 1 large bathroom rather than keeping them separate - I have been asked several times 'but what if someone's in the bath when visitors come round and needs to use the toilet???' Yep can't see that happening really since we usually have our baths before our visitors arrive for dinner & not during!!!! :D Maybe that's a Kiwi habit we won't be taking on!! ;)

[marcia]

Another thing to note - a real 'bug bear' of mine actually, is that the separate toilets here in NZ rarely have a hand basin in them - we viewed a house the other day that was only 18 months, the toilet was huge - but no hand basin in it - why for heavens sake don't they put one in - instead you have to open the door with 'dirty' hands, leaving germs on the handle, and hope no one is using the bathroom next door so you can wash your hands!!!!

Sorry if this rant upsets anyone - I'm all for the laid back approach but this is basic hygeine for goodness sake!!

(So Diny whatever you do have a handbasin in the toilet of the Bach you're building!!!!! Or I'll never forgive you! :p )

[stu70]

Another thing to note - a real 'bug bear' of mine actually, is that the separate toilets here in NZ rarely have a hand basin in them - we viewed a house the other day that was only 18 months, the toilet was huge - but no hand basin in it - why for heavens sake don't they put one in - instead you have to open the door with 'dirty' hands, leaving germs on the handle, and hope no one is using the bathroom next door so you can wash your hands!!!!

Sorry if this rant upsets anyone - I'm all for the laid back approach but this is basic hygeine for goodness sake!!



Amazing and disgusting (not necessarily in that order)

[Diny]

(So Diny whatever you do have a handbasin in the toilet of the Bach you're building!!!!! Or I'll never forgive you! :p )

I've made a mental note of that request Marcia.

Diny

[sarahw]

Yes Marcia you are so right!! I hate going to friends houses where you have to go out of the toilet & into the bathroom to wash your hands - yuk!!

[katandbob]

Yes Marcia you are so right!! I hate going to friends houses where you have to go out of the toilet & into the bathroom to wash your hands - yuk!!

I have a pack of baby wipes in the loo!, as I thought the same thing, our toilet is too small to get a sink in so I thought that was the easiest solution!

I miss my Bath too - especially when I have been working hard and want to soak my aching bones!:laugh Hopefully we will be able to build a deck soon and get a hot tub (or rob suggested a camping stove under one of the baths that are used as horse troughs - Like a local has:nice1 )

Kat

[speckythecky]

it wasn't uncommon for houses in UK built in late 1960's to have separate toilet without sink but doesn't seem to be the case for more modern houses.
I prefer a house with at least one toilet separate from the main bathroom.
Downstairs is good so any visitors do not have the excuse for wondering around the house (you don't need to keep the upstairs as tidy as you would otherwise) and as wiki said, if you are gardening you don't have to get mud throughout the house

[sarahw]

Many NZ houses are 'upside down' for the views unless they are bungalows - our upstairs is our living area & bedrooms and both bathrooms are downstairs - so we unfortunately have to keep the whole house tidy all the time! :)

[Rizak]

Many NZ houses are 'upside down' for the views unless they are bungalows - our upstairs is our living area & bedrooms and both bathrooms are downstairs - so we unfortunately have to keep the whole house tidy all the time! :)

Your mother would be proud.
:yes

[sarahw]

:) yep but makes for a heck of a lot more housework!