HHSRS

Government enforcement guidance describes the HHSRS as a structured, risk-based inspection tool rather than a simple pass/fail checklist: the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) is used to assess health and safety hazards in homes. It is risk-based, set out in regulation and covers a range of 21 potential hazards under the current guidance, ranging from damp and mould through to fire risk, overcrowding and structural collapse.

Each hazard identified during an inspection is scored for likely harm, and the score determines the category of hazard and the council's legal obligations. A Category 1 hazard is declared when the score is found to be 1,000 or more, and category 1 hazards are treated as the most serious. Local authorities must take enforcement action if they find health and safety hazards at the most dangerous 'category 1' level and have a power to enforce 'category 2' hazards — meaning action against Category 1 hazards is mandatory, while action against lower-scoring Category 2 hazards is discretionary.

The HHSRS operates alongside, and feeds into, other housing-condition regimes. It underpins the Decent Homes Standard, and social housing tenants can invoke fast-track statutory remedies such as Awaab's Law for specific hazards like damp and mould, on top of the general HHSRS enforcement powers available to councils.