Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)
The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) is the new risk assessment procedure for residential properties. It replaced the Housing Fitness Regime from the 6 April 2006 in England, and in Wales later in the year. HHSRS also replaces the Fitness Standard as an element of the Decent Homes Standard.
How does Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) affect me?
Private landlords
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: the system of assessment
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 multiple occupied dwellings, for the building as a whole.
The HHSRS assessment is based on the risk to the potential occupant who is most vulnerable to that hazard. For example, stairs constitute a greater risk to the elderly, so for assessing hazards relating to stairs they are considered the most vulnerable. The very young as well as the elderly are susceptible to low temperatures. A dwelling that is safe for those most vulnerable to a hazard is safe for all.
For more information, visit the government's communities website.
