HHSRS Assessment

HHSRS Assessment

Stay Compliant with Professional HHSRS Assessment Services

With the ever-changing property compliance regulations, ensuring compliance across a property portfolio can quickly become complex and time-consuming. For landlords, freeholders, and property and asset managers, failing to stay compliant across multiple properties can lead to hefty fines, legal disputes and even possible imprisonment. The good news is that there is a solution that can empower you in your property portfolio compliance.

Our portfolio compliance solutions empower you with the tools, insights, and automation that are needed to effectively manage legal and regulatory requirements across your entire property portfolio. From fire safety and energy compliance to licensing and building regulations, Yuno helps property professionals stay up-to-date with compliance.

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What Is an HHSRS Assessment?

An HHSRS assessment refers to an inspection process that is used to evaluate the health and safety risks of a rental property. This framework is used by local authorities to identify potential hazards that could affect tenants to ensure that all residential properties meet safety standards.

The HHSRS assessment looks at potential hazards, from trip-and-fall hazards and fire safety risks to water supply and sanitation issues. In England, HHSRS covers 21 hazard categories following the June 2026 update. In Wales, it covers the original 29. Each of the hazards is scored based on severity. If a property is found to have serious hazards, then local authorities can take enforcement action that requires landlords to make necessary improvements.

Why HHSRS Compliance Matters for Landlords

There are serious legal and financial consequences that come with failing an HHSRS assessment, and landlords may be faced with

  • Improvement Notices which require immediate corrective action.

  • Prohibition Orders that restrict property use until the issues are resolved.

  • Civil penalties of up to £40,000 for serious breaches.

  • Rent Repayment Orders of up to 24 months' rent

HHSRS compliance is vital for avoiding fines and enforcement action as well as for protecting tenants' well-being. With this in mind, Yuno helps landlords and property managers stay compliant by identifying risks early and providing guidance for resolving hazards efficiently.

How It Works How to Complete an HHSRS Assessment

Completing an HHSRS assessment is essential for landlords, The process involves:

  • STEP 1

    Property Inspection

    A full assessment of the rental property to identify potential hazards under the HHSRS framework.

  • STEP 2

    Risk Scoring

    Each hazard is evaluated and scored based on its potential harm to tenants, categorising hazards as either Category 1 (serious, requiring immediate action) or Category 2 (less serious, with discretionary action), This is based on the potential harm and likelihood of it happening.

  • STEP 3

    Remediation Plan

    If hazards are identified, landlords must take corrective action to remove risks and meet legal standards.

  • STEP 4

    Compliance Review

    After improvements are made, a follow-up inspection may be required to ensure that the property meets HHSRS safety standards.

Note: This can be complex; an expert like an EHO should be consulted, especially if the local council has started enforcement action.

Our HHSRS Assessment Services

Yuno provides comprehensive HHSRS assessment services to help landlords, property managers, and housing providers meet legal safety standards. Our HHSRS Assessment Services include:

  • Full Property Hazard Inspections

    Identify risks across all HHSRS hazard categories.

  • Legal Compliance Guidance

    Empower you with the steps required to meet HHSRS compliance and avoid enforcement action.

  • Remediation Support

    Providing expert advice on how to resolve hazards quickly and efficiently to ensure tenant safety.

  • Pre-Tenancy and Routine Checks

    Implement proactive property assessments to ensure potential hazards are addressed before tenants move in.

The 29 hazards of HHSRS

1. Damp and mould growth
Health threats due to dust mites, mould or fungal including mental and social wellbeing health threats associated with damp, humid and mouldy conditions Health effects: Allergies, asthma, effects of toxins from mould and fungal infections. Type of compliance: Simple.
2. Excess cold
Threats to health from cold indoor temperatures. A healthy indoor temperature is 18 degrees celsius to 21 degrees celsius. Health effects: Respiratory conditions: flu, pneumonia and bronchitis Cardiovascular conditions: heart attacks and strokes. Type of compliance: Simple.
3. Excess heat
Threats due to high indoor temperatures Health effects: Dehydration, trauma, stroke, cardiovascular and respiratory. Type of compliance: Simple.
4. Asbestos and MMF
Exposure to asbestos fibres and Manufactured Mineral Fibres (MMF) Health effects: Asbestos: Damage to lungs MMF: Damage to skin, eyes and lungs. Type of compliance: Simple.
5. Biocides
Threats to health from chemicals used to treat timber and mould growth Health effects: Risk from breathing in, skin contact and swallowing of the chemical. Type of compliance: Simple.
6. Carbon Monoxide and fuel combustion products
Excess levels of carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and smoke Health effects: Dizziness, nausea, headaches, disorientation, unconsciousness and breathing problems. Type of compliance: Simple.
7. Lead
Threats to health from lead ingestion from paint, water pipes, soil and fumes from leaded petrol Health effects: Lead poisoning causing nervous disorders, mental health and blood production issues. Type of compliance: Simple.
8. Radiation
Health threats from radon gas and its daughters, primarily airborne but also radon dissolved in water Health effects: Lung cancer caused by exposure, which increases amount and length of exposure. Type of compliance: Complex.
9. Uncombusted fuel gas
Threat from fuel gas escaping into the atmosphere within a property Health effects: Suffocation. Type of compliance: Simple.
10. Volatile organic compounds
Threat to health from a diverse group of organic chemicals including formaldehyde that are gaseous at room temperature and can be found in a wide variety of materials in the home Health effects: Allergies, irritation to the eyes, nose and skin, headaches, nausea, dizziness and drowsiness. Type of compliance: Simple.
11. Crowding and space
Hazards associated with lack of space for living, sleeping and normal household or family life Health effects: Psychological distress and mental disorders, increased risk of hygiene issues, accidents and personal space and privacy compromised. Type of compliance: Complex.
12. Entry by intruders
Problems keeping a property secure against unauthorised entry and maintaining defensible space Health effects: Fear of burglary occurring, stress and anguish caused by burglary and injuries caused by the intruder. Type of compliance: Simple.
13. Lighting
Threats to physical and mental health associated with inadequate natural or artificial light, including the psychological effects associated with the view from the property through glazing Health effects: Depression and psychological effects due to lack of natural light. Eye strain from glare and inadequate light. Type of compliance: Simple.
14. Noise
Threats to physical and mental health due to exposure to noise within the property or within its curtilage Health effects: Psychological and physiological changes resulting from lack of sleep, poor concentration, headaches and anxiety. Type of compliance: Simple.
15. Domestic hygiene, pests and refuse
Health hazards due to poor design, layout and construction making it hard to keep clean and hygienic, attracting pests and inadequate and unhygienic provision for storing household waste Health effects: Stomach and intestinal disease, infection, asthma, allergies, disease from rats and physical hazards. Type of compliance: Simple.
16. Food safety
Threats of infection from poor provision and facilities to store, prepare and cook food Health effects: Stomach and intestinal disease, diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach upset and dehydration. Type of compliance: Simple.
17. Personal hygiene, sanitation and drainage
Threats of infections and threat to mental health associated with personal hygiene, including personal and clothes washing facilities, sanitation and drainage Health effects: Stomach and intestinal disease, skin infections and depression. Type of compliance: Simple.
18. Water supply
Threats to health from contamination by bacteria, parasites, viruses and chemical pollutants due to the quality of water supply for drinking household use such as cooking, washing and sanitation Health effects: Dehydration, fatigue, headaches, dry skin, bladder infections and legionnaires disease. Type of compliance: Simple.
19. Falls associated with baths
Falls associated with a bath, shower or similar facility Health effects: Physical injuries: cuts, lacerations, swellings and bruising.. Type of compliance: Simple.
20. Falls on the level surfaces
Falls on any level surface such as floor, yards and paths, including falls associated with trip steps, thresholds or ramps where the change in level is less than 300mm Health effects: Physical injuries: bruising, fractures, head, brain and spinal injuries. Type of compliance: Simple.
21. Falls associated with stairs and steps
Falls associated with stairs and ramps where the change in level is greater than 300mm. It includes internal stairs or ramps within a property, external steps or ramps associated with the property, access to the property and to shared facilities or means of escape from fire and falls over stairs, ramp or step guarding Health effects: Physical injuries: bruising, fractures, head, brain and spinal injuries. Type of compliance: Simple.
22. Falls between levels
Falls from one level to another, inside or outside a dwelling where the difference is more than 300mm. Including falls from balconies, landings or out of windows Health effects: Physical injuries. Type of compliance: Simple.
23. Electrical hazards
Hazards from electric shock and electricity burns Health effects: Electric shock and burns. Type of compliance: Simple.
24. Fire
Threats to health from exposure to uncontrolled fire and associated smoke. It includes injuries from clothing catching fire, a common injuring when trying to put a fire out. Health effects: Burns, being overcome by smoke or death. Type of compliance: Complex.
25. Flames, hot surfaces and materials
Burns or injuries caused by contact with a hot flame or fire, hot objects and non-water based liquids. Scalds caused by contact with hot liquids and vapours. Health effects: Burns, scalds, permanent scarring and death.. Type of compliance: Simple.
26. Collision and entrapment
Risks of physical injuries from trapping body parts in architectural features such as trapping fingers in doors and windows and colliding with objects such as windows, doors and low ceilings Health effects: Physical injuries such as cuts and bruising to the body. Type of compliance: Simple.
27. Explosions
Threats from the blast of an explosion, from debris generated by the blast and from partial or total collapse of a building as a result of the explosion Health effects: Physical injuries, crushing, bruising, puncture, fractures, head, brain and spinal injuries.. Type of compliance: Simple.
28. Ergonomics
Threats of physical strain associated with functional space and other features at the dwelling Health effects: Strain and sprain injuries. Type of compliance: Simple.
29. Structural collapse and falling elements
The threat of the dwelling collapsing or part of the fabric being displaced or falling due to inadequate fixing or disrepair or as a result of adverse weather conditions. Health effects: Physical injuries. Type of compliance: Simple.

Who Needs an HHSRS Assessment?

Private landlords must meet legal obligations to ensure their rental properties are safe and compliant, while letting agents and property managers must oversee compliance across multiple properties. Social housing providers must also maintain high safety and living standards for tenants while ensuring that properties comply with government regulations.

Our HHSRS assessments are vital for anyone responsible for rental property safety and compliance.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Questions you might have

What is HHSRS?

HHSRS is the Housing Health and Safety Rating System, the framework local authorities use to assess health and safety hazards in residential property. Rather than a fixed pass-or-fail checklist, it weighs the risk that a hazard could harm an occupant and how severe that harm could be.

The system now works differently in each nation. England moved to an updated version on 23 June 2026, covering 21 hazard categories rated High, Medium or Low. Wales continues to use the original system, covering 29 hazard categories with bands A to J.

So the starting point is which nation the property is in. See HHSRS Assessment

Is HHSRS the same in England and Wales?

No, not since 23 June 2026.

  • England uses the updated HHSRS: 21 hazard categories, hazards rated High, Medium or Low, and classes of harm described as extreme, severe, serious and moderate.
  • Wales continues to use the original HHSRS: 29 hazard categories, with hazards scored across bands A to J.

The underlying approach is the same in both. It's a risk-based assessment weighing how likely a hazard is to cause harm and how serious that harm could be. The Category 1 and Category 2 distinction, and the local authority's duty to act on Category 1 hazards, applies in both nations. What differs is the hazard list and how the bands are expressed. See HHSRS Assessment

What changed in the 2026 HHSRS update? (England)

The updated HHSRS came into force in England on 23 June 2026, the first significant change since 2006. Three things changed:

  • The 29 hazard categories were merged into 21 broader ones.
  • The ten risk bands (A to J) were replaced with three: High, Medium and Low.
  • The four classes of harm were renamed extreme, severe, serious and moderate.

What didn't change is just as important. The risk-based approach is the same, the Category 1 and Category 2 distinction remains, and the scoring threshold for a Category 1 hazard is still 1,000 points. Inspections that had already started before the change stayed under the previous system, and Wales continues to use the original HHSRS. See HHSRS Assessment

Which HHSRS hazards were merged in the 2026 update?

The update didn't stop any risk being assessed. It grouped similar hazards into broader categories:

  • Indoor air pollutants now cover carbon monoxide and fuel combustion products, uncombusted fuel gas, volatile organic compounds, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and related chemical hazards.
  • Domestic hygiene now covers food safety, pests and refuse, and personal hygiene, sanitation and drainage facilities.
  • Falls on the level now covers falls associated with baths as well as falls on level surfaces.
  • Fire and explosions bring fire and explosions together.
  • Collisions, entrapment and ergonomics now covers collision and entrapment alongside the position and operability of amenities.

The same underlying risks are still assessed. They sit under fewer headings. See HHSRS Assessment

How many hazards does HHSRS cover?

It depends on the nation. In England, HHSRS covers 21 hazard categories following the June 2026 update. In Wales, it covers the original 29.

The update didn't remove risks from the assessment. It merged similar ones into broader categories. See HHSRS Assessment

What are the 21 HHSRS hazards in England?

Since 23 June 2026, HHSRS in England covers 21 hazard categories, grouped into four themes.

Protection against accidents

  • Falls on the level
  • Falling on stairs and similar
  • Falling between levels
  • Fire and explosions
  • Flames, hot surfaces and similar
  • Collisions, entrapment and ergonomics
  • Structural collapse and falling elements
  • Electrical hazards

Physiological requirements

  • Excess cold
  • Excess heat
  • Damp and mould growth
  • Asbestos and manufactured mineral fibres
  • Indoor air pollutants
  • Lead
  • Radiation

Protection against infection

  • Domestic hygiene
  • Water supply

Psychological requirements

  • Crowding and space
  • Entry by intruders
  • Noise
  • Lighting

The assessment considers how likely harm is and how serious it could be for the individual property. See HHSRS Assessment

What are the 29 HHSRS hazards in Wales?

HHSRS in Wales covers 29 hazard categories:

  • Damp and mould growth
  • Excess cold
  • Excess heat
  • Asbestos and manufactured mineral fibres
  • Biocides
  • Carbon monoxide and fuel combustion products
  • Lead
  • Radiation
  • Uncombusted fuel gas
  • Volatile organic compounds
  • Crowding and space
  • Entry by intruders
  • Lighting
  • Noise
  • Domestic hygiene, pests and refuse
  • Food safety
  • Personal hygiene, sanitation and drainage
  • Water supply
  • Falls associated with baths
  • Falling on level surfaces
  • Falling on stairs
  • Falling between levels
  • Electrical hazards
  • Fire
  • Flames and hot surfaces
  • Collision and entrapment
  • Explosions
  • Position and operability of amenities
  • Structural collapse and falling elements

The assessment considers the potential harm and likelihood associated with relevant hazards in the individual property. See HHSRS Assessment

What are Category 1 and Category 2 HHSRS hazards?

Category 1 hazards are the more serious risks, and local authorities have a duty to take appropriate enforcement action where they find one. Category 2 hazards are lower-scoring, and authorities have discretion over whether enforcement action is appropriate.

How a hazard reaches each category depends on the nation:

  • England, since 23 June 2026: a hazard in the High band is a Category 1 hazard. Hazards in the Medium or Low bands are Category 2.
  • Wales: a hazard in bands A, B or C is a Category 1 hazard. Any other band is Category 2.

In both cases the classification depends on how likely harm is and how serious it could be. The scoring threshold for a Category 1 hazard did not change in the 2026 update. See HHSRS Assessment

What is an HHSRS assessment?

An HHSRS assessment is an inspection used to identify and evaluate potential health and safety hazards in a residential property. The process typically involves:

  • Property inspection. The property is assessed for potential hazards covered by the HHSRS framework.
  • Risk scoring. Identified hazards are evaluated on how likely harm is and how severe it could be.
  • Remediation. Where hazards are found, the right corrective action can be established.
  • Compliance review. Once improvements are done, a further review may be appropriate to check the risks have been addressed.

The hazard categories and bands differ between England and Wales, but the assessment process follows the same shape. See HHSRS Assessment

What happens if an HHSRS assessment identifies a hazard?

It depends on the nature and seriousness of the hazard. The property may need corrective or remediation work to reduce or remove the risk, and where a Category 1 hazard is found, the local authority has a duty to take appropriate enforcement action.

Once improvements are made, a follow-up review may also be appropriate to check the property now meets the required safety standard. See HHSRS Assessment

Who may need an HHSRS assessment?

HHSRS is relevant to anyone responsible for the condition and safety of residential rental property, including:

  • private landlords
  • letting agents
  • property managers
  • housing providers

It can matter particularly where there are concerns about property conditions, or where a local authority has started enforcement action. See HHSRS Assessment

Can Yuno arrange an HHSRS assessment?

Yes. Yuno's HHSRS support includes property hazard inspections, compliance guidance, remediation support and proactive property checks, delivered in line with the framework that applies in the property's nation.

Yuno can also take care of HMO and Licence Grade inspections, These are designed to meet licensing requirements and HMO amenity standards and are performed by Environmental health officers accredited by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health.

Yuno can help identify risks across the HHSRS hazard categories and support you in understanding what needs to happen next. See HHSRS Assessment

See all Questions & Answers

Book Your HHSRS Assessment Today

Challenge council enforcement, protect tenants, avoid fines, and maintain compliance with Yuno. Contact us today to schedule an HHSRS assessment.

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