Question

What are the Housing Improvement Regulations 1947 and when would they apply?

Answer

The Housing Improvement Regulations 1947 (the Regulations) prescribe minimum standards for a bedroom.

There are some exceptions to the minimum standards in the Regulations (e.g. for bedrooms in modern residential apartments). Unless the exceptions apply, though, a bedroom must:

• Have a minimum width of 1.8 metres;

• Have an area of not less than 6 square metres;

• Have a height from finished floor to finished ceiling of at least 2.1 metres in an existing house (as at 1975), or 2.4 metres in a new house;

• Have at least one window situated in an external wall to admit adequate light;

• The aggregate area of glass in the windows must not be less than one-tenth of the floor area of the room;

• Windows with an area of not less than one-twentieth of the floor area must be able to be opened to allow air circulation, or in accordance with local authority requirements.

Question

Can I advertise a property with a room as a “bedroom” if it meets the definition of bedroom from the Housing Improvement Regulations 1947, but it is not consented as a bedroom on the Council plans (e.g. the plans show that it is an office?)

Answer

No. Licensees must advertise in accordance with the Council plans. A room that is consented as an “office” should not be advertised as a “bedroom”.

​