Immigration: housing inspections and accommodation certificates

What is an Accommodation Inspection?

When you make an application to UK Visas and Immigration for entry clearance into the United Kingdom, you may be asked to demonstrate that you can be adequately accommodated (within the meaning set out in the immigration rules) without recourse to public funds.  

This may include having to demonstrate that the property you intend to live in would not become statutorily overcrowded under Part X of the Housing Act 1985 and has sufficient space to accommodate both the current occupiers and any additional people who propose to live there.

An Accommodation Inspection will assess whether the property would become statutorily overcrowded if any more people were to move in. If the property meets the required standards then we will issue a confirmation letter which can be submitted in support of your application for entry clearance to UK Visas and Immigration.

It is a requirement that the property is safe, in a good state of repair and doesn't pose a health and safety risk. Should a property be found to be in a poor state of repair this will be reported to the property owner to address.

How to apply

To apply for an Accommodation Inspection you will need the following information:

• applicant details (sponsor) including contact details
• details of the person(s) entering the UK including their name, age and relationship to the sponsor
• the property they intend to live in, including full address
• the person(s) currently residing in the property
• the property type and room sizes
• a credit or debit card to make payment online or over the phone of £175.40

 If the property is rented you will need to provide:

• details of the landlord and written consent to allow change in occupation
• a copy of the current gas safety certificate (your landlord should provide a copy to you every 12 months)

Apply for an accommodation inspection certificate

At the Accommodation Inspection

When carrying out an Accommodation Inspection the following matters will be assessed:

• Does the property have a sufficient number of rooms of adequate sizes so that the property will not become statutorily overcrowded if more people were to move in?

What happens once you have submitted an application?

Once we have received the application we will contact you to arrange a date and time for the inspection. The inspection will be completed within ten working days of receipt of an application. We request that you allow an hour for the inspection to be completed.

Following the inspection a confirmation letter and Accommodation Inspection Certificate will be sent to the sponsor within five working days which will state:

• the name(s) and date of birth of the person(s) seeking entry to the UK
• the address of the property inspected
• the owner, current occupants and proposed occupants
• how the property is occupied, and by who
• whether the property would be statutorily overcrowded by the addition of the person seeking entry to the UK
• the name of the officer to contact for further information