Ukrainian spouse , accomodation requirements

[woodstock1]

Hi everyone, I'm here to ask more advice again, excuse me. The situation is this. My wife and I married in Odessa in October 2012. She has 2 children (16 and 6). Since that time (and before obviously) I have regularly travelled to and fro every couple of months. We have gradually been getting ready to meet the spouse(family member) visa requirements, i.e. she has passed her English language exam, I have a job that now covers the £24,800 ish annual earnings etc. Now I am concerned about the Home offices requirements for accommodation. Right now I rent a room, fine for me but not for a family, of course. I am close to agreeing on a 3 bedroom house locally, but the other day a friend offered me a couple of rooms in his house. This, initially was tempting, if I rent properly, I am tied into a 6 or 12 month contract. That, on its own doesn't scare me, but I'm worried if the Home Office say no, then we'll have wasted nearly £3000 on the visa applications and then be tied into a house that most of us can't live in! I hope that if we meet their requirements then they will accept our application, but I fear I don't trust these people.

So, to cut a long story short, can anyone explain to me the checks (i.e electoral role, bank statements, utility bills) that the beaurocrats use to determine if we have a suitable place to live please? My friend is happy for me to go on the electoral role, have bank statements sent there etc, but Its just 2 rooms. This would be a temporary arrangement until we get the green light from the Home Office. I think I know what the answer will be, but I just would like it confirmed please.Many many thanks everone...Si..

[mrploddy]

Your friend letting you stay will be cheaper but there will be more burden of proof in documentation.

If they own you will need a copy of the house deeds (preferably certified by a solicitor) and a letter from your friend giving your permission to stay. You will also need maybe a floor plan or a few photos to demonstrate it won't be overcrowded.

if you rent you just need the tenancy agreement and if you can't get your wife on the tenancy agreement a letter from your landlord giving permission for your spouse to reside in the property.

[Wanderer]

Don't forget the paternal permission and local Court Order you need to take the children out of Ukraine, can get nasty if Dad is the venomous kind.

[SoHopeful]

Unfortunately you would be considered to be overcrowded if you took the 2 rooms your friend has offered.
Any child over the age of 10 is expected to have their own room. I know many households who are unable to provide this because they are in social housing (irony!), and siblings of various ages share bedrooms but with immigration they will flag this up. The only way around this is if your friend could offer a living room as another bedroom and get a property inspection to confirm the space. Of course you don't have to use the living room once your family arrive, but on paper you will have the required amount of rooms to satisfy the ECO.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... ercrowding

[Amber]

See also, Guidance on Accommodation Overcrowding (click).