England · Updated for the changes from 23 June 2026 · Free Excel self-check
HHSRS
checklist.
The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) is how councils in England judge whether a home is safe to live in. Since 23 June 2026 it has 21 hazards instead of 29. Use this self-check to spot and fix problems before they become serious.
Download the HHSRS self-checkFree Excel file · No signup
England only. Not an official assessment.
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What is
the HHSRS?
A risk-based way of assessing hazards in homes, set out in the Housing Act 2004. It applies to all housing in England, including private rentals.
What changed in June 2026
New regulations came into force on 23 June 2026. Some hazards were combined, taking the total from 29 to 21, and the scoring was simplified.
Hazards now fall into High, Medium or Low bands, and new guidance adds baseline indicators: what a safe home looks like for each hazard.
Why it matters to landlords
Councils use it when they inspect a rental, often after a tenant complains. A serious hazard can lead to an improvement notice or other enforcement.
Keeping on top of repairs and checking the property regularly is the easiest way to stay clear of problems.
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The 21 HHSRS
hazards.
The official hazard names, with a few things a landlord can look at for each. The prompts are ours, not the official baseline indicators.
| Hazard | Things to look at |
|---|---|
| Damp and mould growth | Mould, damp patches, condensation, leaks, extractor fans. |
| Excess cold | Heating that can warm every habitable room, draughts, insulation. |
| Excess heat | Rooms that overheat, ventilation, windows that open safely. |
| Asbestos and MMF | Damaged materials that might contain asbestos. Don’t disturb them. |
| Indoor air pollutants | Carbon monoxide, fuel gas, smoke and chemicals. Gas appliances, flues and alarms. |
| Lead | Old lead water pipes, flaking paint in older homes. |
| Radiation | Radon in affected areas. |
| Crowding and space | Enough space for the people living there to sleep, cook and relax. |
| Entry by intruders | Locks on doors and accessible windows, secure frames. |
| Lighting | Natural light, working fittings, lit stairs. |
| Noise | Noise from outside, neighbours or building services. |
| Domestic hygiene | Kitchen, pests, bins, bathroom, toilet and drains. |
| Water supply | Clean drinking water, hot water, covered tanks. |
| Falls on the level | Slippery bathrooms, trip hazards, small steps under 300mm. |
| Falling on stairs etc | Handrails, treads, lighting on stairs and steps. |
| Falling between levels | Window restrictors, balconies, landings. |
| Electrical hazards | An in-date electrical report, damaged sockets or cables. |
| Fire and explosions | Smoke alarms, a clear escape route, an in-date gas safety record. |
| Flames, hot surfaces etc | Cooker position, very hot water, exposed pipes. |
| Collisions, entrapment and ergonomics | Dangerous doors and windows, low headroom, awkward fittings. |
| Structural collapse and falling elements | Cracks, loose roof tiles, chimneys, gutters and render. |
Hazard names follow the HHSRS regulations as amended on 23 June 2026. The self-check has a fuller description of what each one covers.
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Check it
yourself.
Use SelfCheck on a visit. Work room by room and note anything that could harm someone living there.
- 1. Agree the visitGive the tenant proper notice and ask what they’ve noticed. They often know about problems first.
- 2. Look and noteGo through the 21 hazards. Describe what you see and where, and take a photo.
- 3. Choose a next stepNo action, keep an eye on it, fix it or get a specialist. Add your own date.
- 4. Follow throughMark it done when it’s sorted and tell the tenant what’s happening.
SelfCheck · Oak flat worked example
| Hazard | What you found | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Damp and mould growth | Black mould on bedroom 1 window reveal. Bathroom extractor not working. | Fix it by 17 Oct |
| Excess cold | Living room radiator valve stuck on low. | Fix it · done 8 Oct |
| Falling on stairs etc | Handrail loose at the top of the stairs. | Fix it · done 5 Oct |
| Electrical hazards | Electrical report from March 2024, satisfactory. No damage seen. | No action |
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What councils
can do.
Only a council can score a hazard under the HHSRS. The score decides the band and the category.
Category 1 hazards
A hazard in the High band, scoring 1,000 or more. The council has a duty to take action.
That can mean an improvement notice, a prohibition order, emergency remedial action or, in extreme cases, a demolition order.
Category 2 hazards
A hazard in the Medium or Low band, scoring under 1,000. The council can choose whether to act.
Either way, fixing problems promptly is cheaper and simpler than enforcement.
Does the HHSRS apply in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland?
The June 2026 changes are to the regulations for England. Wales has its own rules for rented homes, and Scotland and Northern Ireland use different standards. Check the guidance for the property’s nation.
Is this the same as Awaab’s Law?
No. Awaab’s Law sets timescales for dealing with damp, mould and emergency hazards. It came into force for social housing on 27 October 2025. The HHSRS is the wider system councils use to assess any home.
How often should I check?
There’s no fixed rule. Many landlords do a routine inspection every few months and after any repair report. Use the property inspection checklist for routine visits.
Can I rely on the self-check?
It helps you spot and fix problems, but it isn’t an HHSRS assessment. For gas, electrics, asbestos or structural concerns, use a qualified professional.
Check the official guidance
These pages set out the rules this guide summarises.
- GOV.UK — HHSRS landlord and agent guide
- GOV.UK — HHSRS guidance collection
- The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
- The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (England) Regulations 2005
Keep your gas, electrical and EPC dates together with the free safety certificates tracker.
Spot it early. Fix it once.
Save a copy of the free self-check and use it on your next visit.
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