UKVI Accommodation Standards Details
UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requires evidence of adequate accommodation for many family-based visa applications, particularly under Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules (e.g., spouse/partner, fiancé, child, or adult dependent relative visas). This ensures the applicant and their family will have suitable housing in the UK without recourse to public funds.
UK Home Office accommodation requirements, mainly for visas like Spouse Visas, demand the property is adequate, not overcrowded, and for your exclusive use, meaning it must meet health/safety standards, have enough space (no opposite-sex sleeping for non-couples), and you need proof like tenancy agreements or deeds to show ownership/rental rights.
For UK Visa Applications (e.g., Spouse Visa)
When applying for a UK Spouse Visa, you must meet the requirement of showing that you and your partner have suitable accommodation in the UK. The Home Office sets clear criteria to determine what is considered adequate accommodation for a UK spouse visa application.
- Adequate & Exclusive Use: Available to the couple (and any dependants) for exclusive use
- Not Overcrowded: Must meet space standards (defined by the Housing Act) and a room standard (opposite sex, not a couple, can’t share).
- Habitable: Must meet public health and safety standards, be in good condition, and not rely on public funds.
- Evidence Needed: Property deeds, tenancy agreements, landlord letters confirming your right to live there.
The accommodation requirement is set out in Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules. To be eligible for a UK Spouse Visa, the applicant must demonstrate that they have:
“Accommodation that the applicant and their partner own or occupy solely, that is suitable, and that does not result in overcrowding or breach public health standards.”
Key Requirements for Adequate Accommodation
The accommodation must:
- Be owned or legally occupied exclusively by the family unit (including the applicant, sponsor, and any dependants or other household members not in the application).
- Be available without recourse to public funds (e.g., no additional housing benefit or council housing allocation needed).
- Not be overcrowded.
- Not contravene public health regulations (e.g., no serious hazards under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System).
The family does not need exclusive use of the entire property (shared houses or living with relatives is allowed), but bedrooms and essential living spaces for the family must be for their exclusive use. Common areas like kitchens or bathrooms can be shared.
Overcrowding Standards
Overcrowding is defined under Part 10 of the Housing Act 1985. A property is overcrowded if it fails either the Room Standard or the Space Standard.
Room Standard (focuses on persons of opposite sexes sharing rooms):
- A room (living room or bedroom suitable for sleeping) is overcrowded if two persons of opposite sexes aged 10 or over (who are not a cohabiting couple) must sleep in the same room.
- Children under 10 are not counted for this standard.
Space Standard (focuses on number of persons per room and floor area):
This has two parts:
1. Persons per room limit
(Rooms include bedrooms and living rooms; kitchens and bathrooms are excluded)
| Number of Rooms | Maximum Permitted Persons |
|---|---|
| 1 | 2 |
| 2 | 3 |
| 3 | 5 |
| 4 | 7.5 |
| 5 or more | 2 per additional room |
- Fractions (e.g., 7.5) mean: 7 persons ok, 8 would overcrowd.
- Children under 1 year: not counted.
- Children aged 1–9 years: count as 0.5 persons.
2. Floor area limit (based on sleeping rooms only):
| Room Floor Area | Maximum Permitted Persons |
|---|---|
| ≥ 110 sq ft (≈10.2 m²) | 2 |
| 90–109 sq ft (≈8.4–10.1 m²) | 1.5 |
| 70–89 sq ft (≈6.5–8.3 m²) | 1 |
| 50–69 sq ft (≈4.6–6.4 m²) | 0.5 |
| < 50 sq ft | 0 |
All current and future occupants (including non-applicants living in the household) are counted.
Evidence Required
Applicants typically provide:
- Title deeds (if owned) or tenancy agreement.
- Letter from landlord/family member confirming permission to live there.
- Floor plan or property details showing room sizes and layout.
- Often, a professional Property Inspection Report (also called Housing Report or Accommodation Report) from a qualified surveyor or environmental health officer. This independent report confirms the property meets standards, is not overcrowded, and complies with health/safety rules. It is widely accepted by UKVI, especially for complex or shared accommodations.
These standards apply across the UK, though enforcement of housing law may vary slightly (e.g., Scotland has similar but separate rules).
For the most up-to-date official guidance, refer to the Home Office website or consult an immigration advisor, as rules can change.
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