Did you know that there are legal requirements that a room needs to fulfill to be called a bedroom?
Most homebuyers often miss out on it and require a certified residential appraiser to help them out.
If you think you could be one of them, let’s take a look at a few legal requirements for a bedroom highlighted by the International Residential Code (IRC).
Access To The Room
Did you know that you can’t pass through one bedroom to get to another?
Since this would diminish the house’s functional utility and its value, it goes against the legal requirements of a bedroom according to the IRC.
The Egress
The egress is a fancy word to describe how to exit the room.
According to the IRC, a bedroom requires two exits in the room—one being the entry door and the other being a different door or a window. The second door must lead to the exterior of the house instead of the interior.
Additionally, the window must be at least 5.7 square feet, 24 inches tall, and 20 inches wide. Windows must also meet specific requirements regarding the glass area. The glass should be at least 8 percent of the floor area, with the window opening measured at 4 percent of the floor area.
Septic Requirements
If the house utilizes a private septic system, there are a few additional requirements that must be considered to fulfill the legal requirements of a bedroom. The size of the septic system is determined by the occupants of the house and the number of bedrooms.
If a septic system is designed for three bedrooms and an additional bedroom is added to the house later on, the septic system must be upgraded to meet the requirements.
If you’re still unsure whether the bedrooms in the house you’re interested in meeting the legal requirements set by IRC, get in touch with a professional and certified residential appraiser to help you make the right buying decisions.
Torlai Appraisal Services offers professional house appraisal services in Stockton, CA, and surrounding areas. Our licensed and certified residential appraiser Sacramento have extensive experience in the industry and have helped countless clients with FHA, conventional, estate, bankruptcy, IRS, and REO appraisals.
Get in touch with us today to find out more about residential appraisal costs and services. Alternatively, you can fill out our order form to schedule an inspection right now—we also offer rush jobs to clients looking for a quick appraisal.