Understanding Space Requirements
Room Occupation Standards
The Home Office follows strict guidelines about how many people can occupy each room, and these calculations are more nuanced than most applicants realize.
Living rooms and bedrooms: Each room has a minimum space requirement before it can house occupants. A bedroom must have at least 50 square feet (4.6 square meters) for one person, and 70 square feet (6.5 square meters) for two people sharing. Living rooms can count as sleeping accommodation if they meet size requirements and have appropriate access to facilities.
What this means for you: Measuring your rooms accurately is crucial. Round down, not up, when calculating square footage. Immigration officers may request floor plans or professional measurements if your calculations seem optimistic.
Real mistake we’ve seen: Applicants counting small box rooms or converted spaces without checking minimum size requirements. A “bedroom” that’s actually 40 square feet won’t count toward your accommodation capacity, regardless of how it’s used.
Age and Gender Considerations
The Home Office applies specific rules about who can share sleeping accommodation, particularly when children are involved.
Children under 10: Can share a bedroom regardless of gender, but each child still requires adequate space allocation within the room.
Children over 10: Must have separate sleeping accommodation from opposite-gender siblings. Same-gender siblings can share if the room meets size requirements for multiple occupants.
Adults: Married couples and civil partners can share accommodation. Unmarried adults of opposite genders cannot be expected to share sleeping accommodation unless they’re in a relationship.
If you’re applying from countries with different cultural norms around family sleeping arrangements: UK immigration law follows British housing standards, regardless of what might be acceptable in your home country. Plan your accommodation accordingly.
Minimum Space Calculations
Here’s the systematic approach AVID experts use to calculate occupancy:
Step 1: Measure each room that could serve as sleeping accommodation (bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms if appropriate).
Step 2: Apply minimum space requirements:
- 50 sq ft for one person
- 70 sq ft for two people
- 90 sq ft for three people
- Add 20 sq ft for each additional person
Step 3: Consider relationship and age restrictions for shared accommodation.
Step 4: Account for essential furniture (bed, storage) when calculating usable space.
Optional—but strongly recommended by AVID experts: Create a detailed floor plan showing room measurements and proposed occupancy. This demonstrates thorough preparation and makes the officer’s job easier.
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Property Documentation Requirements
Tenancy Agreement Requirements
Your tenancy documentation must prove you have legal right to occupy the property and bring additional family members.
For tenants: Provide your current tenancy agreement showing:
- Your name as the tenant
- Property address matching your application
- Tenancy duration extending beyond your family’s intended arrival
- Any clauses about additional occupants or subletting restrictions
What really happens behind the scenes: Immigration officers check whether your tenancy agreement permits additional occupants. Many standard agreements prohibit subletting or additional residents without landlord consent.
Real mistake we’ve seen: Applicants providing expired tenancy agreements or agreements that explicitly prohibit additional occupants. Always check the fine print about occupancy limits and get written landlord permission if required.
Mortgage Documentation
For homeowners: Submit recent mortgage statements or ownership documents showing:
- Your name on the mortgage or property deeds
- Property address matching your application address
- Current mortgage payments up to date
- No restrictions on occupancy numbers
If you’re buying a property: Provide exchange of contracts documentation and completion timeline. The property must be available when your family arrives.
Council Tax Evidence
Recent council tax bills serve dual purposes—they confirm your residence and help verify property details.
What to provide:
- Most recent council tax bill or annual statement
- Evidence of any council tax reductions or exemptions
- Correspondence about property banding if relevant
What this means for you: Council tax documents show the local authority’s assessment of your property size and type. Discrepancies between your accommodation claims and council tax banding may trigger additional questions.
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Inspection and Standards Compliance
Basic Amenity Requirements
Adequate accommodation must include access to essential facilities, and these requirements are non-negotiable.
Kitchen facilities: Adequate cooking facilities including sink, cooker, and food storage. Shared kitchens are acceptable if all residents have reasonable access.
Bathroom facilities: Access to a bathroom with toilet, bath or shower, and washbasin. The ratio of bathrooms to occupants should be reasonable (typically one bathroom per 4-5 people maximum).
Water and utilities: Mains water supply, electricity, and adequate heating for year-round occupation.
What this means for you: “Adequate” doesn’t mean luxurious, but facilities must be functional and safely accessible to all occupants.
Safety Standard Compliance
Properties must meet basic safety requirements, particularly for electrical and fire safety.
Electrical safety: Current electrical installation certificate if required by local authority or if the property is a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO).
Fire safety: Adequate fire exits and, where required, fire detection systems. This is particularly important for converted properties or shared accommodation.
Gas safety: Current gas safety certificate for properties with gas appliances.
Local Authority Standards
Each local authority may have additional requirements, particularly for shared accommodation or converted properties.
Research your local requirements: Contact your local authority’s housing standards team to understand specific requirements in your area.
Optional—but strongly recommended by AVID experts: Obtain a property inspection report from your local authority’s housing standards team. This provides definitive confirmation that your accommodation meets requirements.
Shared Accommodation Rules
HMO Considerations
If your accommodation is classified as a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), additional rules apply.
When properties become HMOs: Generally, when three or more unrelated people share facilities. This might include your situation if you’re housing extended family members who aren’t spouses or children.
Licensing requirements: Many HMOs require licensing from the local authority. Check whether your arrangement requires an HMO license and ensure it’s in place before your family arrives.
Space standards: HMOs often have stricter space requirements than standard accommodation. Room sizes may need to be larger, and additional facilities may be required.
Exclusive Occupation Rights
The Home Office needs assurance that your family will have secure access to the accommodation and won’t be at risk of eviction or restriction.
Shared facilities: Clearly document which facilities are shared and with whom. Provide assurance that your family will have reasonable access to kitchens, bathrooms, and common areas.
Security of tenure: Demonstrate that your occupation rights are secure and won’t be affected by landlords, other tenants, or property owners.
Real mistake we’ve seen: Applicants in shared accommodation failing to provide clear agreements about facility access and usage. Vague arrangements create uncertainty about whether accommodation is truly “adequate.”
Landlord Permission Requirements
Most tenancy agreements require landlord permission for additional occupants, and this permission must be documented.
Getting permission: Contact your landlord in writing, explaining your family visa application and requesting permission for additional occupants.
What to include: Specify exactly who will be joining you, when they’ll arrive, and how long they’ll stay. Provide references or guarantees if requested.
Documentation: Keep written confirmation of landlord permission. Verbal agreements aren’t sufficient for immigration purposes.
If you’re applying from countries where landlord relationships are informal: UK tenancy law requires written documentation. Informal arrangements won’t satisfy immigration requirements.
Property Inspection Reports
When Inspections Are Required
Property inspections aren’t always mandatory, but they’re strongly recommended in certain situations.
Converted properties: Properties converted from single dwellings to multiple units often need inspection reports to confirm they meet housing standards.
Shared accommodation: If you’re sharing with non-family members, an inspection report can confirm the arrangement meets HMO standards.
Marginal cases: If your space calculations are close to minimum requirements, a professional assessment can provide definitive confirmation.
Report Preparation Process
Local authority inspections: Contact your local authority’s housing standards team to request an inspection. They’ll assess whether the property meets requirements for the intended occupancy.
Timeline: Book inspections well in advance of your visa application submission. Reports can take several weeks to obtain.
Cost: Local authority inspections may be free or involve a small fee. Private surveyors charge more but may offer faster turnaround.
Professional Assessment Options
When to use private surveyors: If local authority inspections aren’t available quickly enough, or if you want additional professional validation of your accommodation assessment.
What to look for: Choose surveyors familiar with immigration accommodation requirements, not just general property surveys.
Report content: Ensure reports specifically address immigration accommodation standards, including space calculations and facility adequacy.
Optional—but strongly recommended by AVID experts: If your accommodation situation is complex or marginal, invest in a professional assessment. The cost is minimal compared to application refusal delays.
Resources from AVID
Downloadable Resources
📎 Space Calculator & Occupancy Checker Calculate exact room capacity based on Home Office guidelines
📝 Property Documentation Checklist Complete evidence requirements organized by tenure type (tenant, owner, shared accommodation)
📄 Landlord Permission Template Professional template for requesting written accommodation permission
🧠 Common Accommodation FAQs Expert answers to the most frequent questions about UK family visa housing requirements
Expert Support Options
Accommodation Assessment Service: Our housing specialists review your property documentation and space calculations, providing detailed feedback and recommendations before submission.
Document Review: Expert review of your tenancy agreements, mortgage documents, and supporting evidence to ensure compliance with Home Office requirements.
Local Authority Liaison: We can coordinate with local housing authorities on your behalf to obtain necessary inspections or clarification letters.
💬 Need peace of mind? Let one of our experts walk you through your accommodation assessment.
Our seasoned immigration specialists don’t just review your documents—we calculate your space requirements, identify potential issues before they become problems, and ensure your accommodation evidence meets Home Office standards.
What this means for you: Unlike other visa categories, family visas require detailed proof of your housing situation before your family arrives. The Home Office uses strict occupancy guidelines based on room sizes, ages of occupants, and relationship dynamics.
Here’s what really happens behind the scenes: Immigration officers don’t just glance at your tenancy agreement. They calculate exact room occupancy, check local housing standards, and verify that your accommodation meets health and safety requirements. Applications fail not because families can’t afford housing, but because they don’t provide the right evidence in the right format.
The accommodation requirement exists to ensure families have dignified living conditions and aren’t placed in situations that could strain public resources. This guide provides the expert-level clarity you need to navigate these requirements successfully.
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