ᐅ Attic with space-saving staircase > Living space?

Hello,

we want to convert our attic on the 2nd floor. So far, it is only accessible via a folding ladder.

We plan to install a space-saving staircase in an existing small room on the 1st floor; this would be the only access to the 2nd floor in the future.

How can we ensure that the attic is counted as living space later on, despite the space-saving staircase?

Thank you very much in advance & best regards
herrschmidt

herrschmidt schrieb:

How can it be ensured that the attic counts as living space later on despite having a space-saving staircase?

It must meet all the requirements of a habitable room according to the building code. This includes ceiling height, natural lighting and ventilation, and an emergency exit. If it does not qualify as a habitable room, it can only be designated as an additional “bonus” room or hobby room and cannot be included in the calculation of the living area.

Thank you very much in advance for the quick response! 🙂

As far as I know, an emergency exit must include a staircase that is at least 80cm (31.5 inches) wide. If I understand correctly, this would rule out the space-saving staircase I had in mind, which has a tread width of 50cm (20 inches).

Check the relevant state building code to see how a "necessary staircase" is defined. In some states, a width of 1 meter (3.3 feet) is even required.

Living space is defined officially and also based on actual usage. A future buyer will pay for both. Official measurements typically command a higher price and yield greater returns. However, I doubt whether this is more worthwhile compared to a livable, fully finished attic.

In fact, the construction regulations in Hesse do not specify an exact width, but rather require that there is sufficient space. It’s best to clarify this in advance with the local building authority. There are so-called 1 sqm (10.8 sq ft) stairs (Kenngott, eestairs) which, in my opinion, provide enough space. Let’s see if the authority agrees.

I would like the square meters in the attic to officially count in order to avoid disputes later on.