Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)
HHSRS is the risk-based assessment method councils use to evaluate hazards in residential property, scoring them by likelihood and severity of harm.
4 min read · Updated 2 August 2026
Overview
HHSRS is the risk-based assessment method councils use to evaluate hazards in residential property, scoring them by likelihood and severity of harm.
Category 1 vs Category 2
Category 1 hazards carry the most serious risk and require council action; Category 2 hazards are less severe but can still trigger notices.
Common hazards assessed
Damp and mould, excess cold, fire, falls, and electrical hazards are among the most frequently identified issues.
Landlord implications
A poor HHSRS assessment can lead to improvement notices, prohibition orders or licensing refusal.
This wiki entry is general information for UK landlords and letting agents, not legal advice. Rules differ across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland — check your local requirements or take advice before acting.