Originally Posted by Ji&Ma
Ross - here is simple answer, it is from document called Entry Clearance Guidance and it is used by ECOs as a guideline s when assessing the applications:
The Housing Act 1985 contains statutory definitions of overcrowding in residential housing. The ECO should bear in mind, as Pakistan 2004 UKAIT 000066 says, that adequacy of accommodation must be assessed on an individual basis. It is not enough to equate adequacy with overcrowding.
A house is considered to be overcrowded if 2 persons aged 10 years or more of opposite sexes, who are not living together as husband and wife, must sleep in the same room. The Act also details the maximum number of people allowed for a given number of rooms or a given room floor area.
Account is taken only of rooms with a floor area larger than 50 square feet and rooms of a type used either as a living room or bedroom.
Rooms such as kitchens or bathrooms are excluded.
Under the Housing Act, the number of people sleeping in accommodation must not exceed the following:
Number of rooms Maximum number of people allowed
1..............................1
2..............................2
3..............................5
4..............................7.5
5..............................10
Each additional room in excess of 5 = an additional 2 people
For the purpose of the Act:
* a child under one does not count as a person.
* a child aged 1-10 years counts as only half a person.
source: UKBA - ECG - mainatenance and accommodationty for the inf..
