Opposite gender siblings sharing room....

purplepurple

Hi all!
A friend mentioned to me last night that legally my 6 yr old DD and 4 yr old DS cannot share a room once she gets to 7yrs old
Is this utter rubbish? I've had a good look on the net and cannot find anything that states this "law" and as we cannot afford to move out of our 2 bed house I need to know!!

Thanks!:D

Sparky67

Not sure about this one, but there are laws on "overcrowding" which includes rules on opposite gender siblings. It depends on their age, and the size of the room. See http://england.shelter.org.uk/advice/advice-6497.cfm for more information.

I don't think you need to worry though (it mentions 10 years as being one of the relevant ages, not 7)

purplepurple

Thanks for that Sparky67... gives us a few years to save up to move!:D

Sparky67

No probs - but remember that Shelters info is related to tenanted properties, I'm not sure whether there is anything that says these rules apply if you own your own house?

Becles

I would say they'd be fine in the same room until the eldest hits puberty and starts getting body concious.

lottee

I don't know if there is a 'Law' about what ages you can't share. But IMO I would think it would be when each of them start 'developing' & begin to become more aware of their bodies.
Depends on how big the actual room is, but could you perhaps get a room divider? I know it's not the ideal situation, but they would maybe learn to respect each others areas? Not a long term solution, but maybe for the time being until you move?

mjk_2

I think this is criteria councils use in deciding how many rooms a family is entitled to if they are in council accommodation. I'm pretty sure there is no law that actually bans opposite sexes from sharing a room.

Would be daft if there was IMO!

Alleycat

There are no laws relating to what age opposite sex siblings can share a room. There are only guidelines, which state that it is preferable to stop sharing a room when the eldest reaches the age of ten and for 16 yrs plus to have their own room.

jo_b_2

purplepurple wrote:

Hi all!
A friend mentioned to me last night that legally my 6 yr old DD and 4 yr old DS cannot share a room once she gets to 7yrs old
Is this utter rubbish? I've had a good look on the net and cannot find anything that states this "law" and as we cannot afford to move out of our 2 bed house I need to know!!

Thanks!:D

There is a bit of an urban myth that there is a law on this. The issue about mixed sex siblings sharing a room, is mainly used to justify 'overcrowding' and gain a higher priority for council accomoodation.

sheryldoc

ILLEGAL.. HAHA..

Tell your friend shes away with the burdies.. maybe not ideal.. but no way illegal they r siblings fs!!

immoral_angeluk

Our housing assocation will let them share until 10yrs but I don't think there's any laws to do with brothers and sisters sharing rooms!