Kids And Bedrooms

[Don7]

Hi can any one help I was told there was a law that said boys and girls carnt share a bed room once one gets to 10 years old and once thay get to 16 thay carnt share a room full stop as thay are then an adult dose anyone know if this is true

[Buenchico]

The legislation on overcrowding is here:
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1985/68/part/X
(see Section 325 in particular)
but you might find the summary here more accessible:
http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/repairs_and_bad_conditions/home_safety/overcrowding

[factor-fiction]

What sort of housing are you talking about, Don? Own home, private rent, HA, council...

[DaisyNonna]

Nothing like making things intelligible is there?

[TheWinner]

Yes, I knew someone who escaped a bad marriage and moved into a shelter, but because she had one boy and one girl who exceeded the age limit, couldn't stay there.

[sherrardk]

It's not a law, it's guidance. Just because you are 'over crowded' it doesn't mean you will get a suitable housing association house anyway.

[Don7]

I have a small 3 bed council house and my 15 year old and my 10 year old boys shaire a double room and my 9 year old girl shares with her 5 year old brother in a single room and then me an my husband have our 3 year old son in our room my girl is also classed as desablied as she has ADHD I'm on the houseing but thay are saying it could take 5 years to do a transfer and I don't know it that Is write

[bednobs]

it's probably right, you can't be moved if they don't have somewhere bigger to put you. Have you been there long?

[EcclesCake]

Perhaps you could look at renting privately and accommodating your children in rooms as you see fit.

[bednobs]

also, i would have thought the 16 year old will soon be discounted for purposes of overcrowding won't he? If you are saying he's an adult at 16, then he has a duty to house himself i would have thought?

[knowabit]

I did not leave home till I was 23, I was sharing a room with my sister till then, she is 5 years younger then me, we were in bunk beds! Lol
Without seeming rude, I do wonder why people have lots of children when they obviously don't have room for them all, and then just expect to be rehoused?

[fairycakes69]

We live in 3 bed house, 3 boys and 2 girls, bunk beds were the way to go. There were no bigger council houses in our area, you just find a way to fit them in. Though 2 21 year olds and 18 year old boys all in one room not fun, bit smelly, caravan in the drive was the answer. As for them moving out not easy, all work so couldn't get council and private rent is so expensive. Cheaper getting a mortgage but need deposit.

[Kassee]

Why not put the boys in one room and the girls in another. I would have thought that was simple. If you owned your own home with a mortgage, you would have to manage with whatever you could afford, not expect a bigger property as automatic. I lived in a two bedroom bungalow with three children. Another option is a bed settee in the lounge for parents, whereas the children have more bedrooms. As a child I always shared with my sister till the day I left home to get married, and she was 9 years younger than me. I had a school friend who had four sister, and they slept in a room with two bunk beds and hardly any room in between, the older sister slept downstairs and didnt have a proper bedroom. Her brother had the box room.

[Don7]

I was not complaneing I was just asking as I was told it was a law and wanted to know if it was or not I've been in my house for 14 years so when I got it it was great for me my husband and son but yes our family grow and now there's 7 of us and yes it's crowed but we are getting by and yes I understand there's not a lot of big houses that's y I put for a trancerfer or an exchange

[bednobs]

Hi Don what will probably happen is that you'll be on the waiting list so long that the children will grow up then you won't be a priority for a bigger place any more. You may be lucky with a swap for someone who wants to downsize owing the spare room subsidy.

[Nini74]

I have friends in a 3 bed - they converted the attic which their 21 year old lad shares with his 7 year old brother, 2 teenage girls share a small room, and the 20 year old girl has a very small box room. But they own their home so can't expect anyone else to take responsibility to accommodate their decision to have a large family.