Dwelling occupancy status

Requirements

The questionnaire module(s) or collector field book should contain instructions that:

• allow the collector to classify and record, a dwelling’s state of occupancy after external visual inspection
• allow the collector to make one response only
• direct the collector to make multiple visits to the dwelling at varying times, to make a close visual inspection of the dwelling for signs of recent occupancy, and leave messages as required.

Questionnaire field books may vary in format but should conform to the requirements contained in this statistical standard.

Example

Census collection
The census collector's field book is an example that meets the questionnaire requirements documented in this statistical standard.

A = residents away, E = empty dwelling, U = under construction, DF = dwelling form, IF = individual form

Note: The collector's field book is under review for the 2011 Census. The new field book will be included in this standard once available.

Guidelines for enumerators

Residents away (A)
Where occupants of a dwelling are known to be temporarily away and are not expected to return by noon on the day after the data collection date, the dwelling is defined as ‘residents away’ or A. This is shown as an A in the unoccupied dwelling occupancy status section in the field book.

Empty dwelling (E)
Where a dwelling clearly has no current occupants, and new occupants are not expected to move in on (or before) the data collection date, the dwelling is defined as an ‘empty dwelling’ or E. Unoccupied dwellings being repaired or renovated are also defined as empty dwellings. This is shown as an E in the unoccupied dwelling occupancy status section in the field book.

Dwellings under construction (U)
All houses, apartments, flats, groups or blocks of flats being built at the time of the data collection are defined as under construction and their full address recorded in the field book. For the census collection, clearly record in the Remarks line the number of dwellings expected to be built on that site. This is especially important for apartment buildings and flats. It is not necessary to record each flat/apartment on a separate line. Dwellings under construction are indicated by the U in the unoccupied dwelling occupancy status section in the field book.