‘That’s illegal’: Outrage over Wellington rental’s bathroom layout

A rental property in New Zealand has sparked outrage online with its unusual floorplan.

The tiny home in Central Hutt in Wellington is marketed as a “quiet and private space”.

The abode comes with “new decorations and furniture”, has double glass windows and is just a few minutes walk to the local shopping centre, according to the listing, posted on Friday. 

The price for the property is NZ$350 per month, or $318 per month in Australian dollars.

Yet, it is the layout of the home that has proved a sticking point for some. 

At one end of the tiny home, there is just enough room for a double bed. Just.

In the centre of the home is the galley kitchen – with sink, cooktop, tiny cupboard storage space and the fridge. Right next to that is the toilet and shower. There’s no wall between. Nothing.

“I don’t know about this floor plan. I think they could have saved some space by putting the toilet inside the shower,” one social media user wrote. 

“Too much red tape in the way of landlord’s dignity, I hope the reforms help bolster.”

“Does the fridge door count?” a second person wrote.

“The toilet is not “next” to the kitchen, it is in the kitchen,” a third person wrote.

“Clearly none of you have had the luxury of cracking a cold one during a number two and it shows,” yet another person wrote.

As well as making light of the floorplan, some questioned whether it was actually legal.

“There’s probably a building inspector that’d be quite interested in a toilet and kitchen not being separated by at least one door…,” one person wrote.

“Pretty sure that not having a wall/door between toilet and kitchen is illegal…” one person wrote.

They are right. At least, in Australia.

Under Australian building codes, a toilet cannot be built directly within a kitchen. 

The National Construction Code (NCC) states “sanitary compartments” – containing a toilet – cannot be built “directly into a kitchen or pantry unless specific conditions are met”. 

“Access to a toilet from a kitchen is permitted if there is an airlock, hallway, or other intervening room, or if the room containing the toilet has mechanical exhaust ventilation,” the NCC states.

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