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Housing health and safety rating system (HHSRS)

Housing - March 2011
private.sector@kirklees.gov.uk



Housing health & safety rating system

The housing health & safety rating system (HHSRS) is a method for assessing health and safety risks within residential dwellings and it replaces the fitness standard that was used under the Housing Act 1985.

Under the old system, a house would be unfit if it failed to meet a set of standards for fitness for human habitation.

HHSRS is a new approach to assessing dwellings and inspecting properties in the Borough of Kirklees.
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How is a property assessed under HHSRS?

Any residential premises, including its structure, access areas, yard, gardens and outbuildings can be assessed for its safety to any potential occupier or visitor.
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The hazards

There are 29 hazards that are considered under The Housing Health & Safety Rating System (HHSRS):
  1. Damp and mould growth
  2. Excess cold
  3. Excess heat
  4. Asbestos
  5. Biocides
  6. Carbon monoxide and fuel combustion products
  7. Lead
  8. Radiation
  9. Uncombusted fuel gas
  10. Volatile organic compounds
  11. Crowding and space
  12. Entry by intruders
  13. Lighting
  14. Noise
  15. Domestic hygiene, pests and refuse
  16. Food safety
  17. Personal hygiene, sanitation and drainage
  18. Water supply
  19. Falls associated with baths etc
  20. Falling on level surfaces etc
  21. Falling on stairs etc
  22. Falling between levels
  23. Electrical hazards
  24. Fire
  25. Flames, hot surfaces etc
  26. Collision and entrapment
  27. Explosions
  28. Position and operability of amenities etc
  29. Structural collapse and falling elements

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Action that can be taken under the HHSRS

The type of action we may take on identifying hazards is decided as follows:
  • HHSRS assessment produces a hazard rating score. This will be higher than average if the hazard is likely to cause serious harm
  • From this score, we will determine if the council has a duty or power to act
  • We will judge what the most appropriate course of action is to deal with each hazard
We may:
  • Serve an improvement notice requiring essential repairs or improvements to reduce or remove the hazard;
  • Make a prohibition order, closing all or part of a building or restricting the number of occupiers to reduce or remove a hazard;
  • Take emergency action to deal with any imminent risk to the occupiers from a severe hazard;
  • Serve a Hazard Awareness notice that informs that a hazard is present.


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Contact Private Sector Housing Unit

How to contact us
Method Details
By email to private.sector@kirklees.gov.uk
By phone Huddersfield:
01484 221399 or 01484 221396
In writing to Huddersfield:
Private Sector Housing Unit
Civic Centre 3
High Street
Huddersfield
HD1 2PR
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