Can One Person Live In A 3 Bedroom Council House?

December 2023

Can One Person Live In A 3 Bedroom Council House In December 2023

In this article, we will look at the possibility of one person living in a three bedroom council house in the United Kingdom.

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The UK housing system is complex and often challenging to navigate for those unfamiliar with the rules and regulations. A council house is public housing provided by the local government, managed through local authorities or housing associations, and typically funded by central government subsidies.

When allocating a place, many councils follow a points-based system whereby applicants are awarded points based on their circumstances.

These can include:

  • age
  • medical needs
  • family size
  • type of accommodation needed
  • affordability
  • length of time since their last move; and
  • whether they have been accepted as homeless

Generally speaking, people who live alone will be allocated smaller properties such as one or two-bedroom houses.

In most cases, a three-bedroom council house is more likely to be allocated to families with multiple children, adult members of the household needing their own space, or people with special needs requiring extra space for specialist equipment.

However, it is possible for one person to live in a 3 bedroom council house in some circumstances. 

For example, if an applicant has mobility requirements and needs extra space for equipment such as a wheelchair. The tenant may also need additional room to accommodate family or friends who sometimes stay overnight but don’t live at the property on a permanent basis.

Can Council Visit To Check The Occupancy Status Of the House?

Councils will usually visit your property to check the occupancy status. This is so that they can ensure that you are only subletting or taking on lodgers with their permission. They may

also wish to check if any family members have moved in with you, which could affect your housing benefits eligibility.

In conclusion, it is possible for one person to live in a three-bedroom council house under certain circumstances. Still, councils generally allocate such properties based on an individual’s specific needs and requirements. It is important to note that councils may visit your property periodically to ensure that you abide by the terms of your tenancy agreement.

If there are changes in household circumstances that might impact your eligibility for housing benefits, it is essential that you let the council know. Doing this can ensure that you can access suitable and safe housing for as long as you need it.

Under occupation rules: how many bedrooms are you allowed?

The number of bedrooms a household can under occupy depends on size and composition. Typically, councils allow one bedroom for each adult couple and one bedroom for every two single people aged 16 or over.

The number of living rooms you have needs to be looked at. Whilst some people think that a local authority will look at all the rooms, it is only the bedroom that they look at.

For families with children, the availability of extra bedrooms depends on their ages and genders – e.g., two children of different sexes up to the age of 10 may share a room, while separate rooms will be allocated to teenagers aged 10-15.

Therefore, a single person living in a three-bedroom property would typically not be allowed by their local authority to under-occupy the house. But again, there are certain circumstances where an exception could be made, such as if they had medical needs or cared for elderly relatives.

In conclusion, it is important to remember that there are rules about how many bedrooms a household can under-occupy depending on its size and composition.

It is, therefore essential to check with the local authority before moving into a property. Understanding these rules will help ensure that you do not have any problems when claiming housing benefits.

council house

What is classed as overcrowded in a council house?

Although councils will allow a certain number of bedrooms to be under-occupied, they may also consider a property overcrowded if the number of people living there exceeds the amount of space available.

For example, according to government guidelines, a three bedroom home is considered overcrowded when four or more people live in it. Other signs that your home might be too small for its residents include

  • not enough beds for everyone
  • two adults sharing one bed
  • children sleeping on sofas or floors; and 
  • using dining room tables as work surfaces due to a lack of space in other rooms.

In conclusion, councils can deem a property overcrowded when the number of occupants exceeds the number of bedrooms available.

"Councils will usually visit your property to check the occupancy status. This is so that they can ensure that you are only subletting or taking on lodgers with their permission."

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Can You Swap Council Houses?

Council tenants may be able to swap their homes if they are looking for a change of scenery or need a different size property. A tenant could, for example, swap from a three bedroom council house to a two bedroom flat. 

They would not be expected to share with someone else as long as this remains their main home.

Home swaps are free and can be arranged through the local council. Generally speaking, the council will only approve home swaps between two tenancies with similar rental values and long-term contracts that do not leave either tenant in financial difficulty.

To change homes, you must complete a new tenancy agreement and a tenancy form.

Swap Council Houses

Due to housing regulations and legislation, it is essential to note that some councils will not allow single people to live in larger properties, such as those with three bedrooms. 

Therefore, it may be difficult for someone living alone to secure an exchange into such accommodations unless exceptional circumstances apply (e.g. the tenant will soon be sharing the tenancy with another person).

Swapping council houses can sometimes take a long time – depending on availability, and both tenants must agree in writing to the swap before it can go ahead. The local authority housing team may also require additional information such as references, proof of identity and bank statements. 

Can Council Inspect My House?

Yes, councils can conduct inspections of council properties. This is usually done to ensure that the property is being looked after and that any necessary repairs or improvements are made. 

Councils are also responsible for ensuring that the safety standards of their housing stock are maintained, and regular inspections help in this regard.

Inspections may also be conducted if there are concerns about anti-social behaviour or overcrowding in council homes or when tenants report concerns about their home or neighbours.

The local authority will normally inform the tenant before an inspection takes place, and they should provide reasonable notice where possible. If you have questions regarding your council house inspection rights, speak to your landlord for more information.

Can Someone Live With Me In My Council House?

In most cases, two or more people can live in a council house as long as they are all named on the tenancy agreement. Depending on the local authority’s rules, this could include couples, family members and friends. 

Remember that whoever lives in the property will be responsible for the rent and other conditions of your tenancy. 

Therefore you should ensure that any adult living in the house is aware of their obligations before moving in.

You may need permission from your landlord if there are changes to who lives at the property (e.g. when someone moves out or someone new moves in). Therefore it is important to keep your landlord updated about any changes so that you remain compliant with your tenancy terms.

Can my partner live with me in my council house?

Your partner can live with you in your council house if they are named on the tenancy agreement.

However, depending on the local authority’s rules, this could include married couples, family members and friends. It is important to remember that whoever lives in the property will be responsible for the rent and other conditions of your tenancy. 

Therefore, you should ensure that anyone who resides in the house knows their obligations before moving in.

You may need permission from your landlord if there are changes to who lives at the property (e.g. when someone moves out or someone new moves in). 

Therefore it is important to keep your landlord updated about any changes so that you remain compliant with your tenancy agreement.

How Much Is A 3 Bedroom Council House To Rent?

The cost of renting a 3-bedroom council house varies a lot based on where it is, what the policies of the local council are, and what kind of housing situation the person is in. 

Most council house rents are set at a price that people with low incomes can pay. In many places, council rents may be less than what you would pay for similar properties on the private renting market. The rent could depend on things like the size, condition, location, and desire for housing in the area. 

Can A Single Person Get A 2 Bed Council House?

Can one person live in a 2 bedroom council house? Well, most of the time, councils give out homes based on how much people need it. Even though families who need bigger places to live often get first dibs, a single person may be able to get a 2-bedroom government house if certain conditions are met. 

For example, the person might be considered if they have a physical condition that requires them to have an extra room or if they share custody of a child or children who often stay over. 

Another possibility is that there are no good 1-bedroom homes available at the time of the allocation. But it’s important to remember that in many places, the demand for housing is usually higher than the supply, so priority is usually given to those who need a place to live the most quickly. 

How Many People Can Live In A 3 Bedroom House?

Most of the time, council and housing group allocations are based on what a family needs. As a general rule, a 3 bed council house would be given to families who would otherwise be too crowded in smaller homes. Here are some general rules:

1. A one-bedroom flat is generally good for a couple or a single adult.

2. Children of different genders are expected to share a bedroom until one of them turns 10 years old.

3. Usually, children of the same gender will have to share until they are 16 years old.

Based on these general rules, a family with two kids of different genders and at least one child who is 10 or older might be eligible for a 3-bedroom house. 

In the same way, a family with three children, two of whom are the same gender and under the age of 16, and one of whom is the opposite gender and over the age of 10 could also be considered for a three-bedroom home.

Maximum occupancy in 3 bedroom house UK is depends the sex and age of residents.

In the UK, the “bedroom standard” is commonly used as a guideline for maximum occupancy in social housing. The bedroom standard suggests the following:

    1. Every adult couple (married or unmarried) should have their own bedroom.Any other person aged 21 or more should also have their own bedroom.
    2. Pairs of adolescents aged 10-20 of the same sex should share a bedroom.
    3. Pairs of children under 10, regardless of their sex, should share a bedroom.
    4. Any unpaired person aged 10-20 is paired, if possible, with a child under 10 of the same sex. If that isn’t possible, they get a room of their own.
    So, by this measure, a house with three bedrooms could technically work for a wide range of family sizes. 
    For example, a couple with four kids under 10 could live there because the kids could all share two rooms and the couple could live in the third. But a couple with two sons ages 12 and 15 and two girls ages 13 and 18 would also need a 3-bedroom house so that each pair of siblings could share a room.
    It’s important to note that these are just general rules of thumb.

The Different Types of tenancy

Introductory tenancy

This type of tenancy lasts for one year. 

During this period, the council will assess your suitability to live in a council house and you must comply with the terms of the tenancy agreement. Introductory tenants can only transfer their tenancy if they have successfully completed 12 months without incident (e.g. rent arrears).

Secure Tenancy

A secure tenancy gives you more protection than an introductory tenancy, meaning that if you are living in an appropriate property size and paying your rent on time, then it is doubtful that the council will terminate your contract. 

A secure or flexible tenant has more rights when it comes to transfers, exchanges and subletting their home. It is important to check with your local authority on what their policy is when it comes to these matters.

Demoted Tenancy

If you have broken the terms of your tenancy agreement, for example, rent arrears or damage to the property, you can be given a demoted tenancy. 

This means that you no longer have the same rights as a secure or joint tenant and could result in your contract being terminated at any time. It is important to ensure that all tenants know their legal obligations and rights when it comes to living in council housing.

Secure tenancy

A secure tenancy is one of the more common types and gives you greater rights to remain in the property. 

With a secure tenancy, you can transfer your tenancy (provided your local authority allows it), exchange it with another tenant or sublet part of it without needing permission from your landlord. 

However, if you breach any of the conditions of the agreement, your tenancy could be evicted.

Scottish secure tenancy

In Scotland, the secure tenancy is more commonly known as a Scottish Secure Tenancy and lasts for an indefinite period.

These tenancies offer more protection to tenants than those in England and Wales, such as the ability to transfer or exchange your home without needing permission from the landlord. However, you still need to abide by all of the conditions of your tenancy agreement or risk being evicted.

Flexible tenancy

Flexible tenancies are designed to give tenants more control over their tenancy. This type of contract allows you to remain in your home for longer than a traditional secure or Scottish secure tenancy, with an option to review the length of your agreement after an initial period (usually 3 years). 

Flexible tenancies also provide more freedom when it comes to transferring and exchanging properties.

extra bedroom for Housing

Joint tenancy

A joint tenancy is when two or more people sign a single tenancy agreement and are jointly responsible for the property’s rent, bills and maintenance. 

A joint tenancy can be beneficial if you want to share a place with another person or family, as it will allow you to save money on rent and other costs associated with renting.

However, due to the joint nature of the joint tenant agreement, if one person breaches the tenancy, then all parties are liable.

Therefore, when it comes to joint tenancies, it is possible for one person to live in a 3 bedroom council house in the UK, depending on which type of tenancy you have and whether you can meet any additional requirements from your local authority.

Can you inherit a council tenancy?

In some cases, yes. If the tenant who has passed away was a secure tenant or had a Scottish secure tenancy, then it is possible for the council to transfer this to another person. This could be their partner, family member or someone nominated in their Will.

Before deciding who will inherit the tenancy, the local authority must assess all applications thoroughly and decide which one best meets their criteria. 

In some cases, depending on individual circumstances, a new introductory tenancy may have to be issued instead of a secure/Scottish secure tenancy.

It is important to note that if you inherit a council house tenancy, and become the council tenant, then you will also become responsible for any rent arrears or other breaches of the agreement that were incurred before your inheritance.

Check if a room counts as an extra bedroom for Housing Benefit

Housing Benefits can be used to help you pay rent if you are on a low income. In most cases, you will need to tell your local council how many bedrooms there are in the property, and they will use this information to calculate how much money they will give you.

If you live in a 3 bedroom council house, then it is crucial to check whether any of the extra rooms count as an extra bedroom for House Benefit purposes. This could include a box room, study or even a conservatory, depending on what type of heating/lighting facilities it has and other factors. 

If one of the rooms does count, it could increase the amount you receive from Housing Benefit, so it is important to check with your local council.

Housing Benefit

Check what counts as a bedroom for council tax

A council tax is a local tax which is used to fund certain public services in your area. The amount of council tax you pay depends on the size and type of your property, with larger properties usually resulting in higher bills.

If you live in a 3 bedroom council house, it is important to check what counts as a bedroom for council tax purposes. If there are more bedrooms, then these are looked at too.

This could vary from one local authority to another and might differ depending on factors such as the amount of natural light each room receives or whether there are separate bathroom facilities.

Before making any decisions regarding the size of your property, you should speak to your local council so that they can clarify what they consider to be an appropriate number of bedrooms for you.

Meet the author

Jane Parkinson

Jane Parkinson

Jane is one of our primary content writers and specialises in elder care. She has a degree in English language and literature from Manchester University and has been writing and reviewing products for a number of years.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can Council Visit To Check The Occupancy Status Of the House?

Councils will usually visit your property to check the occupancy status. This is so that they can ensure that you are only subletting or taking on lodgers with their permission.

Under occupation rules: how many bedrooms are you allowed?

The number of bedrooms a household can under occupy depends on size and composition. Typically, councils allow one bedroom for each adult couple and one bedroom for every two single people aged 16 or over.

What is classed as overcrowded in a council house?

Although councils will allow a certain number of bedrooms to be under-occupied, they may also consider a property overcrowded if the number of people living there exceeds the amount of space available.

Can You Swap Council Houses?

Council tenants may be able to swap their homes if they are looking for a change of scenery or need a different size property. A tenant could, for example, swap from a three bedroom council house to a two bedroom flat.

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