Is it illegal for a family of four to have a one bed flat?

[BillywigStings]

I know this might sound nuts but our kid are aged 3 and one and sleep in our bed anyway , plus we are downsizing to live in a narrowboat in a couple of years too, so we aren’t exactly conventional. Flats are expensive where we are and we need to save our money so this seems like the only way. We are quite happy with this idea, but wonder if it’s actually illegal or not?

Not illegal, of course not.

Social housing recommends children of different sexes over 10 don’t share but that’s social housing: private ownership or renting is different.

It does sound unpleasant though.

Are you renting or buying? There's no legal minimum bedroom or space requirement but if you're renting a landlord might not be keen on a whole family in a one bedroom flat because of extra wear and tear.

Who do you think is going to police your sleeping arrangements?!

There's no law, but landlords (private or social) might not rent to you if you will be overcrowded.

Haha, hope not! We've 5 in a 2 bed!

Of course it’s not illegal! How could anyone make you buy a flat/house that you can’t afford?

Mind you, some people do have a crazy notion that their “illegal” housing arrangements will force the council to house them in larger accommodation. Even if they’re in private’s rentals in the first place!
There’ve been threads in that vein on here.

There is such a thing as statutory overcrowding which is a criminal offence in any rented property. Technically you and/or your landlord could be prosecuted by the local authority if you cause or permit premises to become statutorily overcrowded. It's highly unlikely this would happen - the law is mostly there to prevent landlords filling HMOs with a family per room.

As long as you have a lounge as well as a bedroom it doesn't sound like you meet that definition anyway.

Are you renting?

There's no law against it - whether it's desirable depends on how big your flat is. A large 1-bed might be better with small children than a tiny 2-bed.

i would suppose if you were to come up on the radar for soc svcs one of the things they might look at is the fact that not everyone has a bed / place to sleep.

A reputable landlord/agency wouldn't rent you a one bedroom flat in this situation but it wouldn't be illegal.

why would it be illegal? theres a family of 5 in the one bed flat above me. Theyve lived here 2 years so far. 1 child in secondary 2 in primary and the mum and dad.

Interesting idea.

Yes should be illegal. Then the housing police must come along and throw you out due to over-crowding and you'd end up being housed in one-roomed bed and breakfast accommodation due to homelessness.