When you apply for a UK spouse (partner) visa, you’re not just proving your relationship and finances — you’re also proving that you’ll have somewhere suitable to live without overcrowding and without breaching basic health standards. If your accommodation evidence is weak, unclear, or inconsistent, it can create delays, extra questions, or a refusal in the worst cases.
This guide walks you through what the Home Office is looking for and, more importantly, how you prove it with the right documents — in a way that’s easy for a caseworker to follow.
If you want the wider spouse visa picture as well, start here: Spouse Visa.
What “adequate accommodation” actually means
For a spouse/partner visa route under Appendix FM, accommodation is broadly considered adequate if:
- You own it or occupy it legally (or you have permission to live there), and
- It won’t be overcrowded under the relevant legal definition, and
- It won’t breach public health standards (i.e., it’s not unsafe or unfit in a way that contravenes the relevant rules/guidance).
The Home Office guidance is very clear that accommodation won’t be regarded as adequate if it is (or will become) overcrowded, with overcrowding assessed under the relevant housing legislation (e.g., Housing Act 1985 for England & Wales).
So your job is to make it simple for the decision-maker to tick those 3 boxes.
Step 1: Prove you have a legal right to live there
This is where a lot of applications get messy — not because the housing is genuinely unsuitable, but because the paperwork doesn’t clearly show you have permission to be there.
If you rent
Use a combination of:
- Tenancy agreement showing the address and the tenant(s)
- Recent rent statement / payment evidence (if available)
- Letter/email from the landlord or letting agent confirming:
- who is allowed to live there
- the property address
- that the property will remain available once your partner arrives
If your tenancy agreement restricts additional occupiers, don’t ignore it. Get written landlord consent.
If you own your home
Use:
- Land Registry title register or mortgage statement
- Recent council tax bill / utility bill to show it’s genuinely occupied and current
- If the property is jointly owned, show both names (or explain the arrangement clearly)
If you’re living with family or friends
This is the most common scenario where people get caught out. You typically need:
- A signed letter from the homeowner/tenant confirming you can live there
- Proof they own/rent the property (title register or tenancy agreement)
- Proof they live there (council tax/utility bill)
- A simple breakdown of who currently lives there and where everyone will sleep
If you’re applying through a different family route, you may also find this overview helpful: UK Family Visas.
Step 2: Show it won’t be overcrowded
Overcrowding is one of those topics where people assume “we’ve got 2 bedrooms, so we’re fine.” But the legal test is more specific than that.
The Home Office assesses overcrowding by reference to the statutory definition (e.g., Housing Act 1985 in England & Wales).
Practical ways to prove it (without turning it into a maths exam)
You do not need to write an essay. You do need to make the facts easy to follow.
A strong approach is to provide:
- A short occupancy statement: who lives there now, and who will live there after the visa is granted
- A basic room schedule: number of bedrooms and living rooms (and which rooms will be used for sleeping)
- Evidence of the property size/layout (when available): floor plan, estate agent listing, or landlord/agent confirmation
When a property inspection report is worth it
A council or independent property inspection report can be very helpful when:
- You’re living with extended family (higher occupant numbers)
- The property is small and you expect scrutiny
- There’s any risk the caseworker might question room sizes/usage
- The accommodation is shared and you need objective confirmation
Many local authorities offer immigration property inspections that check whether a property is likely to be overcrowded and whether there are hazards affecting health and safety.
Step 3: Show it meets basic health and safety standards
The Home Office position isn’t “your home must be perfect.” It’s that it must not contravene public health standards and it must be safe enough to live in.
This is where property condition matters — especially if you’re relying on accommodation that is:
- overcrowded in practice (even if not on paper)
- damp/mould affected
- poorly ventilated
- clearly in disrepair
Again, a property inspection report can be a clean way to address this if there’s any doubt, because inspections consider hazards that may affect occupants’ health and safety.
Common scenarios and what to submit
1) Renting a flat as a couple
Aim: show legal occupancy + not overcrowded.
Submit:
- Tenancy agreement
- Landlord/agent letter confirming your spouse will be permitted to reside
- Council tax bill or utility bill
- A short occupancy statement (“2 adults will live in a 1-bedroom flat”)
2) Living with parents temporarily
Aim: show permission + clarity.
Submit:
- Homeowner letter confirming permission and who lives there
- Title register (or tenancy agreement if they rent)
- Council tax bill
- Room plan/description: “Parents use Bedroom 1; applicants will use Bedroom 2”
- (Optional) inspection report if numbers are tight
3) House share / HMO-style living
This is a red-flag area. Even if the home is technically big enough, you can run into problems if:
- the tenancy does not allow additional residents
- the property is crowded with unrelated adults
- licensing issues exist
If you’re in this situation, it’s often sensible to get legal advice early — before you submit.
The “caught out” checklist (quick self-audit)
Before you file, check these points:
- The address is identical across all documents (formatting, postcode, flat number)
- Your landlord/host letter is signed and dated, and clearly grants permission
- Your occupancy list includes everyone, including children and anyone temporarily living there
- Bedrooms are actually bedrooms (be careful with box rooms, lounges used as bedrooms, and informal arrangements)
- If you’re relying on family accommodation, you’ve included their proof of ownership/rental and residence
- If space is tight, you’ve considered an inspection report to remove doubt
Where accommodation fits in the bigger spouse visa application
Accommodation is rarely the only issue — it’s usually one part of the overall credibility picture. If your evidence is well-organised across the whole application (relationship, finances, intent to live together, etc.), you reduce the chance of getting hit with follow-up queries.
For relationship evidence tips, this is worth reading: Spouse visa relationship evidence.
When to get help
If your situation is straightforward, you can often evidence accommodation cleanly with a tenancy agreement, a landlord letter, and a clear occupancy statement.
But if you’re dealing with shared housing, extended family households, unclear permissions, or you’re worried about overcrowding arguments, it’s worth getting proper advice before submitting — because once a refusal lands, you’re into delay and challenge options.
You can see the broader support available here: UK Immigration Lawyers and Services & Fees.
Next steps
If you want to be confident your accommodation evidence is strong (and presented in a way the Home Office can’t misunderstand), speak to Garth Coates Solicitors before you submit. Start with the main overview at Spouse Visa — and if you’re planning longer-term settlement after the family route, also look at Indefinite Leave to Remain (Settlement) and British Citizenship Applications.
Ready to move forward with your UK immigration plans? Garth Coates Solicitors can guide you at every step — from eligibility checks and document preparation to submission and follow-up. If you’re launching a business, our uk start up visa team can help you build a strong application. Need support with work routes? Speak to a trusted skilled worker visa solicitor today. We also advise on the uk self sponsorship visa for entrepreneurs seeking more control. Studying in the UK? Our student visa solicitors are here to help — contact us now for tailored advice.
