Terminology Explained

Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)

The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) is a risk assessment tool used to assess potential risks to the health and safety of occupants in residential properties in England and Wales. The legislation came into effect 2006.

The assessment method focuses on the hazards that are present in housing. Tackling these hazards will make housing healthier and safer to live in.

This guidance is aimed at non-specialists, in particular private landlords, to help them understand the requirements under the Housing Act 2004 in relation to the HHSRS and help them identify the type of work that is needed on their properties to conform with the HHSRS.

In practice, private landlords and managing agents will be most affected by HHSRS assessments.  Local authorities will take a strategic approach to the use of their new powers.  They will continue to respond to complaints from tenants, and they will also be able to assess properties subject to HMO licensing.

HHSRS assesses twenty nine categories of housing hazard, including factors which were not covered or covered inadequately by the housing fitness standard. It provides a rating for each hazard. It does not provide a single rating for the dwelling as a whole or, in the case of multiply occupied dwellings, for the building as a whole.    A hazard rating is expressed though a numerical score which falls within a band. There are 10 bands. Scores in Bands A to C are Category 1 hazards. Scores in Bands D to J are Category 2 hazards.

The hazards that can be assessed are those associated with or arising from:

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