Housing enforcement

Last updated on: 14-January-2020

2. HHSRS

The House Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) assists local authorities in targeting properties in the worst condition, often housing some of the most vulnerable people.

Under this system, action by authorities is based on a three-stage consideration:

the hazard rating determined under HHSRS;
whether the authority has a duty or power to act, determined by the presence of a hazard above or below a threshold prescribed by Regulations [Category 1 and Category 2 hazards]; and
the authority's judgement as to the most appropriate course of action to deal with the hazard

The Act contains enforcement options which are available to local authorities. The choice of the appropriate course of action is for the authority to decide, having regard to statutory enforcement guidance.

The hazards which have to be assessed are as follows;

Damp/Mould Growth	Radiation	Noise	Fire
Excess Heat	Uncombusted fuel gas	Domestic Hygiene, pests and refuse	Hot surfaces
Excess Heat	Personal Hygiene, sanitation and drainage	Electrical hazards	Structural collapse and falling elements
Asbestos	Volatile Organic Compounds	Food Safety	Collisions and Entrapment
Biocides	Crowding and Space	Water Supply	Explosions
Carbon monoxide	Entry by Intruders	Falls	Position and operability of amenities
Lead	Lighting

The courses of action available to authorities where they have either a duty or a power to act are to:

serve an improvement notice requiring remedial works;
make a prohibition order, which closes the whole or part of a dwelling or restricts the number of permitted occupants;
suspend these types of notice;
take emergency action;
serve a hazard awareness notice;
make a demolition order
declare a clearance area

The HHSRS hazard rating is based on the most vulnerable potential occupant. Local authorities will be able to take account of the vulnerability of the actual occupant in deciding the best course of action.

The Act retains the powers available to authorities to act in default and prosecute for lack of compliance. It also enables them to recover charges for enforcement actions.

Download the Housing Health and Safety Rating System from GOV.UK.