What's considered a half bathroom?

[Herm]

What do guys and gals consider a half bathroom? There doesn't appear to be an official definition but a lot of places and articles are saying it needs just two of three fixtures (commode, sink/vanity and shower/tub). I think it's obvious that in most places, half bathrooms are considered to have a commode and a sink/vanity.

I had an FHA assignment where the ranch style home had a full bathroom in the basement, however the toilet was removed with a hand rag covering the plumbing hole. I made the report subject-to installation of a commode along with a few other FHA repairs such as peeling paint and now all of a sudden, the lender is asking why commode needs to be installed. I then replied with, "because I gave it credit and value as a full bathroom and it's not considered a full bathroom unless there's a working commode.

They then, asked if the plumbing can be capped and if it will still be considered a half bathroom if there's just a shower and sink/vanity. Why doesn't the owner just install the toilet and be done with it? Who the f*** knows, but I wanted to get your opinions on if a shower and sink would be considered a half bathroom.

Thanks

 

[NC Appraising]

Hope this helps:

https://singlefamily.fanniemae.com/media/21731/display

Finished Area Above Grade Contains ______Bath(s) The appraiser must enter the total number of full baths and partial baths above grade. A three-quarter bath is to be counted as a full bath in all cases. Quarter baths (baths that feature only a toilet) are not to be included in the bathroom count. The number of full and half baths must be entered, separated by a period. The full bath count is represented to the left of the period. The half bath count is represented to the right of the period. Reporting Format: # of Bath(s) – Numeric to 2 decimal places Separate full bath count from half bath count with a period (.), nn.nn Example: 3.2 indicates three full baths and two half baths above grade

The appraiser must enter the total number of rooms as well as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms for the subject property and each comparable property. The appraiser must also enter the gross living area for the subject property and each comparable property. The appraiser must follow the same standards outlined in the Improvements section under “Finished Area Above Grade” and “Square Feet of Gross Living Area Above Grade.” Reporting Format: # of Rooms – Numeric to 2 digits, whole numbers only # of Bedrooms – Numeric to 2 digits, whole numbers only # of Bath(s) – Numeric to 2 decimal places Separate full bath count from half bath count with a period (.), nn.nn Gross Living Area – Numeric to 5 digits, whole numbers only Example: 3.2 indicates three full baths and two half baths above grade


My opinion based on the above:

a half bath is a powder room that is used by most builders and are found in most home builder floor plans, etc: a room with a toilet and a sink.

 

[glenn walker]

Minimum --A Sink or Wash basin and a Toilet.

 

[CCAAMO]

No toilet, not a bathroom. No sink with the toilet, no bathroom and a very bad idea

 

[jay trotta]

Realtor.com;
A half-bath, also known as a powder room or guest bath, has only two of the four main bathroom components—typically a toilet and sink.

has been MO for years, of course there are always options; (it depends)

 

[TC]

No toilet, not a bathroom. No sink with the toilet, no bathroom and a very bad idea

It's common in the Pgh area to have only a toilet in the "cellar" of older homes. Referred to as the Pittsburgh Potty. Agents call it a half bath.

 

[CCAAMO]

Toilet with no sink. I think i would skip the hand shake and the fist bump

 

[TC]

Looked at one today.

 

[Mike Ault]

View attachment 63981Looked at one today.

Hope you were wearing "booties".

 

[Fernando]

View attachment 63981Looked at one today.

Disgusting. Why put money and effort in such an installation. Couldn't hold it and run into the main bathroom?