Loft Area With Ladder. Hla?

[deturner]

This is the first time I've run into this. I have a house where the bedrooms have vaulted ceilings and a loft area (approximately 5x10). These areas are carpeted and the only way to access them is by a built in ladder (not stairs).

Question is do these count in the heated living area measurements?

I can't seem to interpret the standards either way when it comes to this so I'm seeking help.

DaveT in NC

 

[CANative]

I do not count lofts with ladder access in the GLA. I describe them and move on.

If the loft has ladder access and also no railings near the open to below areas I describe that in detail. There have been ocassions when houses like this are serving as vacation rentals under professional management. In these instances I comment on the possible personal safety issues.

 

[Chris Colston]

Dave, all of the bedrooms? Is there a bath up there, too? No bath, not bedrooms. Typical buyer would not want to be climbing up and down a ladder in the middle of the night if "nature" were to come a callin'.

 

[Ray Miller]

See a lot of this in our recreational area, with the log amish cabins that people buy on skids. They raise all kinds of heck because you don't count it as GLA.

No steps up to it and should height walls not GLA as the way I look at it.

 

[CANative]

Chris... sounds like the bedrooms have normal access but have lofts in them.

Some people will put boxes, junk and old clothes up there, while others will put stuffed toys, baskets, easter bonnets, etc. up there.

 

[Chris Colston]

Originally posted by Greg Boyd@Sep 21 2005, 12:32 PM
Chris... sounds like the bedrooms have normal access but have lofts in them.

Some people will put boxes, junk and old clothes up there, while others will put stuffed toys, baskets, easter bonnets, etc. up there.

Oops...mis-read...NEVER MIND! :redface:

 

[Jim Onderisin]

I wouldn't count it as living area, but would consider whether the market would perceive its value.

 

[Mountain Man]

Have plenty of houses with lofts in my area. I do not count it as GLA, but do measure and it does contribute some value... but not much.

 

[deturner]

Thanks folks. I did not include it with the GLA. Although the kids would think they were neat because they could put their beds up there or a desk to study or use it as a fort.

The cool thing about them is the windows came to the floor of the loft area and overlooked the lake. You could actually put a mattress on the floor and have a view of the lake literally from the bed.

Looks like the builder included it in their calculations because I am short about the same amount of space that these occupy.

Yes, these are lofts IN the bedroom with a complete bedroom below and only a ladder to access the loft area. The area is carpeted and has a rail except at the ladder access area.

This is actually the first I've seen of this but thought it was a neat idea for use of space.

DaveT in NC