While deciding whether a property is statutorily overcrowded, the assessment officer might consider: If two people of the opposite sex have to share a bedroom, the accommodation will be classed as overcrowded if the people in question are NOT a married or Co-habiting couple or are children under 10 years old. Rooms and the available space are measured following strict calculations laid out in legislation. Rooms that are counted include living rooms and bedrooms. When the space and floor areas are being calculated, certain factors are considered. These include: Children under one years old are not counted Children under ten years old and over one count as half Rooms under 50 square feet are also ignored. As a general rule, it is safe to assume that in terms of the number of rooms and occupants, the following applies: 1 room is suitable for 2 people 2 rooms are suitable for 3 people 3 rooms are suitable for 5 people 4 rooms are suitable for 7.5 people 5 or more rooms are suitable for 2 people per room.