What overcrowding means and the steps you can take
The number of people living in your home could increase for various reasons – perhaps you’ve had a baby, a partner or parent has moved in, or an older child has moved back home.
Whatever the reason, having more people at home puts pressure on the amount of space you have. Overcrowding could affect your, or someone in your home’s, mental wellbeing. And more bodies in your home means more washing, drying, showering, and cooking, all of which increases condensation levels and can lead to issues such as damp and mould.
If you think your home is overcrowded, it’s easy to check
What are the chances of moving if I need more space?
Alternative homes are in short supply, and it is not easy to find more suitable housing. We want to prioritise households that are severely overcrowded but it might take some years before we find somewhere suitable. If you think this is your family, it’s easy to check.
Statutory overcrowding (see guide from Shelter below) is covered by housing law. It’s one reason why we ask you for information about who lives with you, so we’re aware if you’re overcrowded and can talk to you about your options.
The legal definition is based on the number of rooms you have available for people to sleep in. This includes a lounge and a dining room (assuming there is no boiler in the room), but rarely a kitchen and never a bathroom. The size of these rooms is also a factor as well as the ages and sex of any children living full time in your home.
As a rough guide the number of rooms considered enough for your family is.
My home is officially overcrowded, what should I do?
- If, based on this guide, you are overcrowded, the first thing to do is ensure your council is aware so you are put on a list for possible rehousing. If you’re not sure, you can find out who your local authority is here. This search should give you a link to their website, where you will find contact details.
- Please let us know. Understanding the demands for housing helps us plan new homes. It also helps us work with you to look at ways we can help you to live more comfortably while you are looking for alternative housing, for example, assessing whether your ventilation is enough for the number of people living in your home. We’ll work with your local authority to find alternative housing. Depending on your family size, this may take some time. For example, if you need a four-bedroom home, it could be several years before you are made an offer.
- You may want to consider mutual exchange – that’s when two or more social housing tenants swap homes. You can find out more about this here.
Don’t forget, whatever your circumstances, if you have any concerns about being severely overcrowded, please speak to your Housing Officer.