09 February 2012A property should be safe and healthy for occupiers and potential visitors. The method for assessing housing conditions is the Housing, Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) which came into force on 6 April 2006 under Part 1 of the Housing Act 2004. The HHSRS is not a 'standard' but a risk assessment-based tool to assess potential risks to the health and safety of occupants in residential properties.
There are 29 hazards available for assessment under the HHSRS including excess cold, falls, crowding and space and fire. An assessment will identify any serious (category 1) hazards and other less serious (category 2) hazards.
Click the following link, The Effect of the Defect (
PDF File 300KB file details), to download an information sheet that provides a brief summary on the 29 hazards covered by the HHSRS.
For more detailed information on the HHSRS, please click the following link to download a copy of a guide produced by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) - Guide for Landlords & Property Related Profession ( PDF File 1882KB file details).
