Outdoor space in the WWS

A private outdoor space such as a balcony, garden, or roof terrace earns points based on a base amount plus a contribution per square metre, up to a set maximum; a complete absence of outdoor space can instead result in a deduction.

A private outdoor space attached to a self-contained home, such as a balcony, garden, or roof terrace, earns points through a combination of a fixed base number of points and an additional contribution depending on the surface area of that outdoor space. The larger the outdoor space, the more points, up to a set maximum for this component overall.

If an outdoor space is shared with other addresses, for example a communal garden, the per-square-metre contribution is divided among the number of addresses using that space, rather than each address being credited with the full area separately.

If a home has no private outdoor space at all, this can result in a deduction in the points count rather than simply zero points for this component, underlining the importance of private outdoor space for a home's overall valuation.

When in doubt whether a space counts as outdoor space (for example, a shared inner courtyard or a narrow gallery walkway), it is wise to document the exact situation carefully with photos and a floor plan, so this part of the count is traceable.

Checklist

• Base number of points plus a contribution per square metre of outdoor space
• A larger area earns more points, up to a set maximum
• Shared outdoor space is divided among the number of addresses using it
• The absence of outdoor space can result in a deduction
• Document borderline cases such as shared courtyards or galleries with photos and a floor plan