What rooms are considered bedrooms

What rooms are considered bedrooms

What rooms are considered bedrooms under statutory overcrowding rules?

Under statutory overcrowding rules, any room normally used as a bedroom or living room is considered a room where people may sleep. This includes bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, box rooms, studies, and home offices. However, rooms smaller than 50 square feet are not considered rooms for sleeping purposes.

UK Statutory Overcrowding Rules - What Counts as a Bedroom?

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

We Provide Property Inspection Report London Hackney Council covering all districts in the London Borough of Hackney includes the following settlements -

  • Bedrooms: Obviously, any room designated as a bedroom is considered a bedroom for overcrowding calculations. 
  • Living Rooms: Living rooms are also counted as potential sleeping spaces. 
  • Dining Rooms: Dining rooms are also considered rooms where people may sleep. 
  • Box Rooms, Studies, and Home Offices: These are also considered rooms where people may sleep. 
  • Kitchens: A kitchen can be treated as a living room if it's large enough to accommodate a bed, according to a research briefing from the London UK Parliament. 
  • Rooms smaller than 50 square feet (or 4.64 square meters): These are not considered rooms for sleeping purposes. 

However, the following rooms are not counted as bedrooms or rooms available for sleeping under statutory overcrowding rules:

  • Bathrooms
  • Toilets
  • Small kitchens
  • Utility rooms
  • Hallways
  • Any room with a floor area of less than 50 square feet (4.65 square metres)/li>

Statutory overcrowding

It's important to understand that the assessment of overcrowding involves two standards:

  • the room standard
  • the space standard

A dwelling is statutorily overcrowded if either or both standards apply.

  1. The Room Standard: This considers the number of rooms available for sleeping and the number and sex of the occupants. Overcrowding occurs under this standard if two people of the opposite sex, who are not living together as a couple (married or in a civil partnership), have to sleep in the same room. Children under the age of 10 are not taken into account for this rule. The number of rooms is also compared to the number of people, with specific allowances for different household sizes. 

    • 1 room is sufficient for 2 people.
    • 2 rooms are sufficient for 3 people.
    • 3 rooms are sufficient for 5 people.
    • 4 rooms are sufficient for 7.5 people.
    • 5 or more rooms are sufficient for 2 people per additional room.

  1. The Space Standard: This considers the total floor area of the rooms available for sleeping and the number of people living in the dwelling. Each room's floor area is measured, and a permitted number of people is assigned to it based on its size:

    • 110 square feet (10.22 square metres) or more: 2 people
    • 90-109 square feet (8.36-10.21 square metres): 1.5 people
    • 70-89 square feet (6.5-8.35 square metres): 1 person
    • 50-69 square feet (4.65-6.5 square metres): 0.5 people
    • Less than 50 square feet (4.65 square metres): 0 people (and the room is not counted)

    When calculating the number of people under the space standard:

    • Children under 1 year old do not count.
    • Children aged 1 to 9 count as half a person.
    • Anyone aged 10 or over counts as one person.

A dwelling is considered statutorily overcrowded if it fails to meet either the room standard or the space standard. Local authorities have a duty to address statutory overcrowding.

Sources and Content

Check if your home is overcrowded by law - Shelter England

Shelter England

 

Overcrowding advice for tenants - Peterborough City Council

Peterborough City Council 

Does the law set a minimum bedroom size in England? - The House of Commons Library

The House of Commons Library

 

Housing Act 1985:  PART X Definition of overcrowding

Definition of overcrowding

Disclaimer:

This article from Evergreen Engineers Ltd is for general information only and doesn't address anyone's specific situation. It shouldn't be considered legal or professional advice, and we're not responsible for any mistakes or omissions. For specific guidance, please consult a qualified professional.