Overcrowding

We give priority for re-housing to applicants who are living in severely overcrowded housing. The most extreme cases get the highest priority.

The Housing Act 2004 Part I provides a new system for assessing housing conditions and enforcing housing standards, called the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS). This includes a system for assessing overcrowding.

Housing Association Tenants

In the past overcrowded tenants of Registered Providers (RPs) were able to register with the council and were given priority if they had a band A hazard under the HHSRS.  Following discussion with our main RP partners London & Quadrant, PCHA, Stadium, Sanctuary, Peabody, Octavia, A2 Dominion, Soho, WECH and  One Housing we have changed how we deal with their overcrowded households.

We will no longer take self referrals from RP tenants, but instead have made a small quota of properties available for these RP’s who for some reason they unable to assist. Each RP can nominate a maximum of four households who are overcrowded, and you are tenant of one of these landlords and you think this might apply to you, please contact your landlord and ask about the scheme.

Private Tenants

Private tenants with an HHSRS risk rating of 5000 or more or who are statutorily overcrowded will not be eligible to join this priority group, but will be assisted to find alternative private sector accommodation of the correct sie.

Council tenants

Overcrowded Westminster Council tenants you can apply for a transfer. See Council tenants wishing to move for more information about this.