Housing Health and Safety Inspections

A team of certified HMO inspectors, providing a dedicated service in the Social Housing sector.

Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)

The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) was introduced in 2004, the updated Housing act which applies to residential properties in England and Wales. The HHSRS considers 29 housing hazards and the effect that each may have on the health and safety of current or future occupants of the property.

Also, the Homes Act 2018 (Fitness for Human Habitation) affects all owners and landlords, including social landlords. It seeks to evaluate the potential risks to health and safety, from any deficiencies identified in dwellings, both social and privately rented.

29 Hazards

The system can deal with 29 hazards relating to:

  • Dampness, excess cold/ heat
  • Pollutants e.g. asbestos, carbon monoxide, lead
  • Lack of space, security or lighting, or excessive noise
  • Poor hygiene, sanitation, water supply
  • Accidents – falls, electric shocks, fires, burns, scalds
  • Collisions, explosions, structural collapse

Each hazard is assessed separately, and if judged to be ‘serious’, with a ‘high score’, is deemed to be a Category 1 hazard.

Risk Assessment

A risk assessment looks at the likelihood of an incident arising from the condition of the property and the likely harmful outcome. If a local authority discovers category 1 hazards in a home, it has a duty to take the most appropriate action. The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) assesses 29 housing hazards and the effect that each may have on the health and safety of current or future occupants of the property.  The HHSRS provides a way that hazards can be assessed and the best way of dealing with them once identified.

If you have concerns about the condition of your home you should contact your landlord, where you are a tenant, or contact your local authority for advice and support.  Where hazards are found we will work with the landlord or owner of the property to remove or reduce the risk.