​KembaraXtra – Legal Terms – Overcrowding


Overcrowding occurs when a dwelling contains more occupants than the law considers suitable for the available living space.


Under statutory rules, overcrowding exists where two or more persons of opposite sexes over the age of ten, who are not married or cohabiting, are required to sleep in the same room because of insufficient accommodation.


There are also legal standards based on the number of rooms and their floor area compared with the number of occupants.


Local authorities have duties to prevent and regulate overcrowding.


Enforcement action may be taken against owner-occupiers, landlords, or tenants responsible for the overcrowded conditions.