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Housing health and safety rating system

Housing, health and safety rating system, where it applies, inspections, rating system applied and enforced.

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What is the housing, health and safety rating system?

In April 2006, the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) was introduced as a method for assessing housing conditions under the Housing Act 2004.

The HHSRS is a risk-based assessment that places the emphasis on risks to health and safety and provides a system that allows any risks identified to be minimised or removed from a property.

Following updates to The HHSRS in June 2026, there are now a total of 21 prescribed hazards that can be attributed to the condition and general state of a property.

If an officer from the council's private sector housing team visits a property, whether it is after receiving a complaint from the occupier, or during a routine housing inspection, they will look for hazards. There may not be any obvious items of disrepair or structural problems within the property, however, the HHSRS is concerned with the potential risks associated with the health and safety of both the occupiers and any visitors.

The rating system is not a standard in itself, so it is sometimes difficult to say if something is definitely a hazard before it is properly assessed. However, the absence of a handrail on a flight of stairs, a failure to provide smoke alarms, or the lack of adequate heating within a property may all result in hazards.

Where does the housing, health and safety rating system apply?

The housing, health and safety rating system (HHSRS) can be used in all residential premises, including single houses and houses in multiple occupation (HMO) in both the private rented sector and owner occupation.

Who carries out housing, health and safety rating system inspections?

The council undertakes both proactive and reactive inspections of private sector housing within the East Riding of Yorkshire, with the aim of ensuring properties are free from hazards which could be a risk to the safety of the occupier or any visitors.

The inspections are carried out by either an environmental health officer or a technical officer from the council’s private sector housing team who have received training on the use of the housing, health and safety rating system (HHSRS).

A property owner who feels that an assessment is wrong can discuss the matter with the council officer involved and may also challenge a notice served through the Residential Property Tribunal Service (external website).

How is the housing, health and safety rating applied?

The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) assessment is based on the condition of the whole property.

When making an assessment using HHSRS, the council officer inspects the entire property, including yards, outbuildings and gardens, where they will take photographs and make notes.

To ensure both accuracy and fairness, the paperwork side of the assessment will be undertaken after returning to the office, using the relevant guidance and the information collected during the inspection.

Once the assessment is complete, it will identify any hazards present and assign them a High, Medium or Low hazard rating.

The council officer will then decide what action is needed to address the hazards identified, which may include enforcement action

What action will the council take once a Category 1 hazard (High) is identified?

The council, as the Local Housing Authority, has a duty under the provisions of the Housing Act 2004 to take the appropriate action where a Category 1 Hazard (High) is identified in a dwelling following an assessment using the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS).

Where a Category 1 Hazard (High) is identified following the completion of an HHSRS assessment, the council will determine the most appropriate course of action in accordance with its enforcement policy to remove or reduce the hazard.

The Housing Act 2004 provides a range of enforcement options depending on the hazard identified and, having regard to a number of factors, including the history of non-compliance and the potential for harm, a decision may be made to proceed directly to formal enforcement action, which may incur a charge.

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