Housing Inspections for UK Entry Clearance

(The current price for this service is under review)

When an application is made to the British High Commission for Entry Clearance into the United Kingdom, they may request that you:

"Obtain an independent assessment of the number of rooms and occupants of the proposed accommodation. A report from a suitably qualified body certifying that a personal inspection has been carried out and giving details of accommodation inspected is usually acceptable for this purpose. Above all, the Entry Clearance officer must be satisfied that the accommodation will not become overcrowded within the definition of the Housing Act 1985 or that it will not contravene public health regulations."

Please read through the information to assess if your property is suitable for the purpose of UK Entry Clearance.

To supply the certificate we will need to survey the property to establish that it meets the required standards and that it would not become overcrowded by the person or persons wishing to enter the UK living or staying there.

The application can only support a spouse or family application and the property must be owned or occupied exclusively by you and your family. Rented accommodation is acceptable but must not be shared with members of another family.

Our Housing Standards Team undertake property inspections for UK Entry Clearance and, if the property is satisfactory, provide the certificate that is required by the Immigration Authorities.

Attention

• The officers will process your application within 10 working days from the receipt of payment/clearance of cheque.
• There is a charge of £65.00 per inspection for this service.
• Tameside MBC Housing Standards can only provide this service for properties in Tameside.
• The fee must be paid before the inspection can take place and is not refundable if the property is not satisfactory.
• Any re inspection fee is charged at the full rate.

Important: From 27 November 2008 the minimum age at which someone can apply for a marriage visa is 21. Both parties in a marriage will have to be 21 before a marriage visa can be issued.

What we need from you & how to complete the application forms?

We need the name and age of everyone who lives in the property now and which bedroom they sleep in. You must include their relationship to your. Please note, that we will check this information against council tax records.

Rented properties must supply the original tenancy agreement and gas safety certificate. They will be posted back to you.

Owner occupiers must supply an original mortgage statement from their Building Society or Bank. If the property is owned outright go to the institution who holds your deeds to complete the proof of title form in the application pack. If sent by post the documents will be sent back to yourself.

If you are living with a family relation (e.g. mother and father, brother) please provide a letter from them stating you live at their property and they are happy for you stay with them rent free with the person/ persons who is coming into the UK. We need this signed and dated.

Before submitting

• Check you have the documents required.
• If you are paying by cash make sure you have the correct amount.
• Note that cheques will take 5 days to process from receipt.

Understanding the room sizes and condition.

The bedroom sizes are a very important part of the UK Entry Clearance process, make sure you follow the guidance bellow to have a successful application.

Please check the bedroom sizes before submitting the application as refunds are not given if the property does not meet the requirements. The room sizes are as follows:

• 1.5 a person is classed as a child at the ages of 1 – 10 years, after the age of 10 the child becomes 1 person.
• Babies can share with their parents if under 1 and are not included for this purpose.
• Children of opposite sex can only share a bedroom up until the age of 10 years old.
• Children cannot share a bedroom with an adult apart from the biological Mother and Father.
• Siblings aged over 10 years cannot share a bedroom with another of the opposite sex who is under 10 years.
• There must be one toilet and wash hand basin for every 5 inhabitants.
• You must have a kitchen which is fully functional (e.g. stoves, oven and hot & cold running water into a sink) and can support the inhabitants of the property including the person/ persons coming into the UK.
• There must be a fixed heating system in the property (e.g. heating in every habitable room).
• The property must be kept in good order (e.g. no loose slates, no leaking gutters).

FAQ’s

How long does the certificate last?

The letter lasts for 3 months from the date of issue.

Can you back date the letter?

No, the certificate date cannot change under any circumstances.

How long will the process take?

From the point of submitting the form to receiving the letter should take 10 working days.

What happens when I submit my forms?

1. With 5 working days a Housing Standards officer will contact you to arrange an appointment convenient for yourself but only between the hours 9 – 4 pm Monday to Friday.
2. The Officer will attend your property. They will measure the bedroom sizes and have a look at the general condition of the bathroom and kitchen and living room.
3. The Officer will then tell you if the property is suitable for the person to inhabit the property.
4. Within the next 5 working days you will receive your certificate for the Immigration Authorities.

Can my child share my and my spouses/partner’s room?

Only very young children can, up to the age of 1 year old but they must be the biological or adoptive parent.

Can I use the lounge as a bedroom?

If you have two separate lounges partitioned with a solid wall and individual doors from the hallway you can class one as a bedroom. If there are dividing doors or have a walk through lounge you cannot use it as a bedroom.

If you are returning the forms by post payment will be acceptable by cheque. Alternatively you can pay by cash or debit card at Tameside Council Offices, Wellington Road, Ashton-under-Lyne. OL6 6DL.

When you have completed the form(s) please return them or bring them, with any supporting documents, and the fee to Housing Services, Tameside MBC , Council Offices, Wellington Road, Ashton under Lyne, OL6 6DL.

If you wish to keep a copy of your application please do so before submitting them to the Housing Strategy section.

If you need a legal representative to assist you with your immigration application, you can either:-

1. Call into the advice surgeries which are held at the Tameside Council Offices Wellington Road, Ashton-under-Lyne. Telephone 0161 342 8355
2. Contact the Immigration Aid Unit at 400 Cheetham Hill Road, Manchester, M8 9L3. Telephone 0161 740 7722 or visit the Electronic Immigration Network  website.

To download a UK Entry Clearance Application Pack 48.18 KB  click on the link.

If you would like any more information about this service please contact us.

Contact Information
Send us a Message	Housing Services Tameside MBC Council Offices Wellington Road Ashton under Lyne OL6 6DL  View local map
0161 342 2558/2387
0161 342 2868