Overcrowding standardS
A property would be considered to be
overcrowded if either the room standard or the space standard is
exceeded. The following criteria can be referred to by the
inspecting Officer to determine whether the property will be
overcrowded:
Room standard
There should be sufficient rooms in each
individual letting so that no male and female aged 12, or over,
should have to sleep in the same room, unless they are living
together as ‘husband and wife’.
|
Number of rooms
|
Maximum number of
people
|
|
1
|
2
|
|
2
|
3
|
|
3
|
5
|
|
4
|
7.5
|
|
5 or more
|
2 for each room
|
|
|
|
Space standard
The standard specifies the maximum number of
people who can sleep in any room considered suitable for use as a
sleeping room and the maximum number who may sleep in any
individual letting when taking into account the number of sleeping
rooms available to the occupants.
|
Floor area of the
room
|
Maximum number of
people
|
|
10.2 m.sq. or more
|
2
|
|
Between 8.3m.sq. and 10.2m.sq.
|
1.5
|
|
Between 6.5m.sq. and 8.3m.sq.
|
1
|
|
Between 4.6m.sq. and 6.5m.sq.
|
0.5
|
Fitness for habitation
In addition The Housing
Act 2004 introduced The Housing Health and Safety Rating System
which can be used to assess fitness standards in properties,
including those that are subject to accommodation certificates.
This is now an evidence based risk assessment process and also
includes outbuildings, gardens, yards, amenity space and means of
access.
Some of the hazards covered under this
assessment are:
- Excess cold; damp and mould growth
- Fire and electrical hazards
- Carbon monoxide and fuel combustion products
- Noise
- Personal hygiene, sanitation and drainage
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