This dataset provides 2011 estimates that classify households in England and Wales by occupancy rating based on the number of bedrooms in the household. The estimates are as at census day, 27 March 2011.

This information is used to provide a measure of under-occupancy and over-crowding to allow central and local government to develop appropriate housing policies and plan future housing provision.

This is the first time this information has been available from the census. This helps to identify households living in overcrowded accommodation and provides local authorities the information they need to tackle housing problems.

In order to protect against disclosure of personal information from the 2011 Census, there has been swapping of records in the Census database between different geographic areas, and so some counts will be affected. In the main, the greatest effects will be at the lowest geographies, since the record swapping is targeted towards those households with unusual characteristics in small areas.

More details on the ONS Census disclosure control strategy may be found on the http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/guide-method/census/2011/census-data/2011-census-prospectus/new-developments-for-2011-census-results/statistical-disclosure-control/index.html[Statistical Disclosure Control] page on the ONS web site.