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Concepts and definitions

Overcrowding

A household's dwelling is overcrowded, if the number of available rooms is under the number which would be necessary based on its composition. The imputed need for rooms is affected by the number of household members, and for persons aged over 18 whether they live as a couple, and the gender of those aged 12 to 17. In addition to one separate room, a household needs at least one room per two persons. Exceptions are persons aged over 18 living alone, and persons aged 12 to 17 of different genders for whom one room is needed per person.

Under-occupied dwelling

A household has at least one room more than it needs based on its composition (see the definition for overcrowded dwelling for details on calculating the room need).