Overcrowding standard
A property is considered to be overcrowded if either the room
standard or the space standard is exceeded.
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
The Housing Act 2004 and The Housing Health and Safety Rating
System (England) Regulations introduced a new fitness standard. The
test of fitness is now an evidence – based risk assessment process
(HHSRS).The aim of the new Rating system is to minimise the risks
posed to occupiers, potential occupiers and visitors . The
assessment includes outbuildings, gardens, yards, amenity space and
means of access.
The Hazards covered are as followed:
- Excess cold; damp and mould growth
- Fire and electrical hazards
- Carbon monoxide and fuel combustion products
- Crowding and space
- Entry by intruders
- Noise
- Domestic hygiene, pests and refuse
- Food safety
- Personal hygiene, sanitation and drainage
- Water supply for domestic purposes
- Structural collapse and falling elements
- Collision and entrapment
- Falls associated with baths; stairs and steps; between levels
and on the level.
The HHSRS assessment includes twenty-nine categories of housing
hazard providing a rating for each hazard. It does not provide a
single rating for the dwelling as a whole. The hazard rating is
expressed though a numerical score which falls within a band. There
are 10 bands. Hazards with scores in Bands A to C will be Category
1 hazards, and those with scores in Bands D to J will be Category 2
hazards. The HHSRS assessment is based on the risk to the potential
occupant most vulnerable to that hazard. For example, stairs
constitute a greater risk to the elderly, so for assessing hazards
relating to stairs they are considered the most vulnerable
group.