The rules around inhabiting a flat are not well-known in the United Kingdom.
You’ll often hear people say that a property is ‘overcrowded’. But what exactly does this mean?
We’ve explained how many people can live in a 2-bedroom flat and other questions below.
How many people live in flats?
According to Shelter England, your flat should only have two people sleeping in the same room – whether or not they are a couple.
This applies no matter what type of flat it is (including HMOs, which add extra rooms to properties).
If two people of different must sleep in the same bed, it’s overcrowded. Children don’t count for this rule.
This same organisation states that a one-bedroom flat should only have 2 people maximum.
A two-bedroom flat should have up to 3 people. A three-bedroom flat should have no more than 5 people.
A four-bedroom flat shouldn’t go higher than 7.5 people.
And a five-bedroom flat should have up to 10 people. Keep in mind that all these guidelines refer to adults, not children.
How many people can live in a two-bedroom flat?
According to Shelter England, a two-bedroom flat should not have more than three people living there.
Any more than that, and it is classed as ‘overcrowded’.
How big must a bedroom be?
A bedroom must typically be at least 4.65 square metres to count.
Otherwise, it can’t be classed as a bedroom. And it doesn’t count towards a liveable room for the inhabitants to sleep in.
What counts as a bedroom?
There is no legal definition of a bedroom in the UK.
It must be at least 4.65 square metres for it to be considered habitable. It has a bed and a dresser/wardrobe.
What happens if too many people are living in a flat?
A landlord or managing agent has a legal duty to report if a property is overcrowded.
This means that the rules listed above are being violated. Failure to do so makes them culpable.
The landlord may be fined and lose their license to rent. And eviction actions could take place.
If you are aware of an overcrowded property you want to report, you should contact your local council.
Does bedroom size impact how many people can live there?
Not legally. It may have a significant impact on what’s practical for the inhabitants.
For example, two adults need much more space than one child.
But you shouldn’t house more than two adults in the same room, even if it’s large.
