Housing Health and Safety Rating System The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) is the Government’s new approach to the evaluation of the potential risks to health and safety in dwellings.  The HHSRS replaced the old Housing Fitness Standard in April 2006. The purpose of the HHSRS is not to set a standard, but to generate objective information in order to determine and inform enforcement and other decisions (for example deciding whether to offer a housing grant). The aim is to ensure that any residential premises provides a safe and healthy environment for any potential occupier or visitor.

The HHSRS assesses 29 categories of housing hazard, including factors which were not covered or adequately covered by the old housing fitness standard. It provides a rating for each hazard which will in turn enable the Council to determine whether it has a duty or power to act or take another course of action, for example offering grant assistance.  A serious housing deficiency is known as a category 1 hazard and the local authority has a legal duty to reduce it to an acceptable level.  Local authorities have a legal power to deal with less serious category 2 hazards.  For more information visit the  web site.Department for Communities and Local Government

In addition two detailed guides have been produced to assist landlords and agents in the implementation of the HHSRS.  View the adjacent documents to find out more.

HHSRS guide (Asset Skills)

HHSRS Guide (Department for Committees and Local Government)