Overcrowding

Legislation sets down what qualifies as overcrowding to ensure that everyone has enough space to live in. This depends on the size of the property, the number of rooms and the ages and gender mix of the people occupying them. If you consider your home to be overcrowded the Council will take action where it is statutarily overcrowded.

However you should note that all habitable rooms have to be taken into account, not just bedrooms. As a result the overcrowding standard may not be breached even if by current day thinking there are too few bedrooms. Legislation does not dictate how rooms are to be used.

Registered Social Landlords work to a different and better standard and seek to match tenants in houses according to the number of bedrooms they require. Overcrowding issues are taken into account in order that applications for social housing can be properly assessed and given appropriate priority on the Waiting List. Tenants of Registered Social Landlords can also apply for a transfer if, as a result of family growth, their houses have too few bedrooms. Unfortunately, larger properties (those with more than 4 or more bedrooms) are in short supply. When these houses do become available they are allocated on a needs basis in accordance with the Joint Allocation Policy operated across the district. Since demand for a large properties exceeds supply, a shortage of bedrooms cannot guarantee a quick allocation or transfer (these aspects of overcrowding are dealt with in the Housing Team's Lettings Section).

The families of individuals seeking immigration visas are frequently required to produce information regarding the suitability of their intended accommodation as part of the application process. The Council is regularly asked to provide this information on behalf of visa applicants. This service is available, although a charge is made. Following a pre-arranged visit and receipt of the appropriate fee, the Council will produce a letter setting out bits conclusions on the issues of both repair and overcrowding.

For further information please contact Environmental Protection Team on 01789 260834 or by email at envhealth@stratford-dc.gov.uk.