A few questions..if you can be of help, thats great.

- 3 bed room house occupied by the owner and his family; whats the maximum number of people that can be accommodated in that house legally?

- Is there any evidence(official document) you can provide to show its a 3 bed room house you live in

Thanks for the help

If a rental, then the number of occupants permitted depends on the number of occupants permitted as stated on their tenancy agreement.

with an owner-occupied property I assume it's down to the common sense of the owner.

If the bedrooms look like something off the film "Amistad" chances are he's cramming 'em in a bit too tightly...

If you have concerns, I think environmental health are the only people you can contact

there was a documentary about the Polish problem in Peterborough, and they went inside a house where there were beds covering every available floor space - including the kitchen

I don't know if they can do anything, but give it a shot

perhaps also the council would be able to assist (or even Citizens advice bureau)

http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/in-your-area/housing-services/private-sector-housing/private-sector-housing-services-policy

http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/in-your-area/housing-services/private-sector-housing/private-landlords

personally i think it comes down to common sense.

3 bedrooms, possibly a couple and a child- that ought to mean only one room left.

i wouldnt expect more than a couple and maybe a small baby in the third room.

i would also have questions about the bathroom/toilet space available to potentially 5 adults. what about living cooking space or are the rooms to be treated bedsits?


x

If you are looking to rent it to these people the tenancy agreement will be very different. As far as I'm aware you will need to issue a licence instead of a lease.

Shelter provide the government definition of overcrowding - here: http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/advice_topics/repairs_and_bad_conditions/overcrowding#0

It's an old standard, from 1935 I believe, and as you'll see it doesn't just count bedrooms. Also, it doesn't mention owner occupiers who are over crowded.