Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)

A new system to assess the standard of accommodation

The Housing Act 2004 introduces a new concept in assessing homes, replacing the existing Fitness Standard. The fitness standard focused on the structure of the building and facilities provided.

The new system, the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), is aimed at people living in the home. The system has been developed to assess all hazards that may be present in the home which can affect the health, safety and well-being of occupants and any visitors.

The HHSRS reflects the significant impact that housing can have on occupiers, not only physically but also emotionally and socially. Housing can affect health, in many different ways from, excess cold, through increased risk of infection, asthma and other respiratory illnesses. These are some 40,000 extra deaths in winter months, and significant cause amongst the older population is homes, which are not capable of being effectively and efficiently heated. The home can also be a dangerous place with injuries arising from falls, electrocution, fire and other accidents. The well-being impact ranges from depression to social exclusion and even reduced academic achievement.

When applying the HHSRS all problems are identified and the health, safety and well-being effects are considered. In the assessment it is decided whether a 'negative outcome' (ranging from a severe cold to death) is likely to occur in the next year. We produce a scoring to the hazard, this reflects both the likelihood and seriousness of the outcome. The higher the score the more serious the threat to health, safety and wellbeing. If the score reach is above a set level (1000) then the Council is required to take formal action. If the score is lower than this the Council can decide whether to take action.