UK Entry accommodation inspections

Prior to allowing entry clearance into this country, confirmation is required that the proposed accommodation is safe and suitable for human habitation, and that the property will not become statutorily overcrowded with the additional occupant(s) living there. Therefore Gravesham Borough Council will undertake an inspection of the property.

Before any inspection is carried out, an application form must be completed. This needs to be completed and signed by the sponsor. The form gives us information relating to occupation of the property and the names and relationships as detailed on the application will be used in the letter to the Immigration Authority.

The property will be inspected by a member of the Private Sector Housing Team and the officer must be able to confirm that the property:

• Is free from Category 1 and significant Category 2 Hazards under the Housing Act 2004;
• Is in a good state of repair; and has sufficient space to accommodate both the current occupants and any additional people who propose to live there.
• If the property is rented your landlord/agent may be contacted in connection with your application.

The following information will be required to support the inspection:

• Name, date of birth and passport/reference number of the person(s) seeking entry to the UK;
• Copy of a tenancy agreement
• Name and date of birth of other occupants in the property to be inspected; and
• Current Gas Safe Certificate for the property (where rented).

An inspection of the property will only be arranged when the full application and fee has been received. If you wish to keep a copy of your application, please do so before submitting them to the council.

You will then be contacted to arrange a mutually convenient time for an officer to visit and inspect the property. The officer will be available to visit during normal office working hours (9am-5pm).

You will be asked to show the officer around the whole property; outlining who occupies the house and which rooms they sleep in. When the inspection is completed you will be supplied with a letter which will state:

• Your name and the name(s) of the person(s) seeking entry to the UK;
• The address of the property inspected;
• Who owns and who occupies the property;
• How the property is occupied and by whom;
• Whether the property is suitable for any potential occupier or visitor at the time of our inspection;
• Whether the property would be overcrowded by the addition of the person(s) seeking entry to the UK;
• The name of the officer to contact for further information.

Room sizes, amenities and property condition

The bedroom sizes are a very important part of the UK Entry Clearance process. You must make sure that you follow the guidance below to aid a successful application. Please check the bedroom sizes before submitting the application, as refunds are not provided if the property does not meet the statutory requirements. The room sizes are as follows:

• 0.5 a person is classed as a child at the ages of 1-10 years; after age of 10 the child becomes 1 person.
• Babies can share with their parents if under 1.
• Children of opposite sex can only share a bedroom up to the age of 10 years old.
• Children cannot share a bedroom with an adult apart from the biological Mother or Father.
• Siblings aged over 10 years cannot share a bedroom with another of the opposite sex who is under 10 years old.

In addition to the above, the following basic standards apply:

• There must be at least one toilet and wash hand basin for every five inhabitants.
• There must be a fully functional kitchen (e.g. stoves, oven and hot and cold running water into a sink) that can support both the current and proposed number of occupants.
• There must be a fixed heating system in the property (e.g. heating in every habitable room).
• The property must be in a good state of repair with no serious defects (e.g. electrics, plumbing, roof, gutters, doors, windows etc.).

Letters

The council will not supply any letters unless an inspection has been carried out. The Immigration Authorities will not accept letters that are greater than 12 weeks old. If your letter expires, the council will need to carry out another inspection.

The Council reserves the right to make a charge for any amendments to the letter or for supplies of copies of the letter at a later date.

It is therefore very important that you do not request an inspection of your property for immigration purposes until you are ready to submit your full application to the relevant authorities.