Policy paper

Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS): review outcomes and next steps

The outcomes of the review into the operation of the Housing Health and Safety Rating System.

• From: Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
• Published: 7 September 2023

This was published under the 2022 to 2024 Sunak Conservative government

Applies to England

Documents

Summary report: outcomes and next steps for the review of the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)

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Details

The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) is a tool used to assess hazards in homes. It was introduced in 2006 and the government launched a review in 2018 to consider whether it should be updated.

Following this exercise government initiated a review of the operation of the HHSRS with the aim to bring it up to date, empower landlords and tenants to engage with the system, ensure alignment with other legislative standards and systems, including the Building Safety Act, and help with the effective enforcement of housing standards.

External researchers RH Environmental were contracted to undertake the 2-year review, which concluded in 2022.

New regulations are required to bring the conclusions of the HHSRS review into force. These will replace the existing regulations, which prescribe descriptions of hazards, the method for assessing their seriousness and the manner and extent of inspections of residential premises.

Published 7 September 2023