Property inspection report is an independent report prepared by a qualified and competent professional for the Home Office for entry clearance or settlement to establish that after the arrival of the applicant the accommodation will not be overcrowded and is suitable for living under the UK Housing Act. The report verifies the suitability and adequacy of a property for immigration purposes. Its often for the UK Home Office to ensure that applicants have suitable accommodation before granting a visa or allowing them to settle in the UK.

• Not statutorily overcrowded under the PART X of Housing Act 1985 and shall have sufficient space to accommodate both the current occupiers and the applicant.
• Free from category 1 hazards given under section 9 of the Housing Act 2004.
• Fit for human habitation under section 604 of the Housing Act 1985 (as amended).
• Part 1 (Housing conditions) of the Housing Act 2004: it will not contravene public health regulations using the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS).

• Spouse or Civil Partners
• Fiancé or proposed civil partner
• Unmarried or same sex partners
• Family dependent (Children, Parents, Grandparents)
• Any type of visa where you need to provide the evidence of adequate accommodation.

Obtain an independent assessment of the number of rooms and occupants of the proposed accommodation. A report from a suitably qualified body certifying that a personal inspection has been carried out and giving details of accommodation inspected is usually acceptable for this purpose. Above all, the Entry Clearance officer must be satisfied that the accommodation will not become overcrowded within the definition of the Housing Act 1985 or that it will not contravene public health regulations.

The housing health and safety rating system (HHSRS) is a risk-based evaluation tool to help local authorities identify and protect against potential risks and hazards to health and safety from any deficiencies identified in dwellings. It was introduced under the Housing Act 2004 and applies to residential properties in England and Wales.

This assessment method focuses on the hazards that are present in housing. Tackling these hazards will make housing healthier and safer to live in.

This guidance is aimed at non-specialists, in particular private landlords, to help them understand the requirements under the Housing Act 2004 in relation to the HHSRS and help them identify the type of work that is needed on their properties to conform with the HHSRS.

Overcrowding in a house occurs when there are too many people living in a space that is too small for their needs. The specific definition of overcrowding can vary depending on local regulations and guidelines, but generally it involves having insufficient space for each person to have their own private area. The Housing Act 1985 PART X OVERCROWDING states:

Definition of overcrowding.

A dwelling is overcrowded for the purposes of this Part when the number of persons sleeping in the dwelling is such as to contravene—

• (a) The standard specified in section 325 (the room standard)
• (b) The standard specified in section 326 (the space standard).