Housing Act 2004 · Operating Guidance 2006
HHSRS Assessments — all 29 hazards, full scoring, enforcement-ready
The Housing Health and Safety Rating System assessment template used by environmental health officers, social housing inspectors, and chartered surveyors. Full likelihood × severity scoring across all 29 hazards, with Category 1 / Category 2 outcome and recommended enforcement.
14-day free trial · All 15 templates included · £35/month
What's in the assessment
Aligned to the HHSRS Operating Guidance (ODPM/DCLG).
- AInspection & instructionInspector, role (EHO / surveyor / consultant), authority, instruction (complaint / programmed / Section 4), date, weather, accompanying party.
- BProperty & vulnerable groupAddress, age, construction, occupation profile, vulnerable group identification (children <5, elderly >65, etc.) per hazard's age-banded vulnerability table.
- CHazard scoringPer hazard (29 entries): likelihood (1-in-N), spread of harm (Class I–IV), hazard score, Category outcome (Cat 1 / Cat 2), photo evidence.
- DOutcome & enforcementCat 1 hazards (action required), Cat 2 hazards (powers available), recommended enforcement: Hazard Awareness Notice, Improvement Notice, Prohibition Order, Emergency Remedial Action, Demolition.
- EInspector's declarationAuthority statement, signed declaration, qualifications, AI disclosure.
All 29 HHSRS hazards covered
From the Housing Act 2004 (Sch 1) and HHSRS Operating Guidance.
01
Damp & mould growth
02
Excess cold
03
Excess heat
04
Asbestos & MMF
05
Biocides
06
Carbon monoxide & fuel combustion products
07
Lead
08
Radiation
09
Uncombusted fuel gas
10
Volatile Organic Compounds
11
Crowding & space
12
Entry by intruders
13
Lighting
14
Noise
15
Domestic hygiene, pests & refuse
16
Food safety
17
Personal hygiene, sanitation & drainage
18
Water supply
19
Falls associated with baths etc
20
Falls on the level
21
Falls on stairs and steps
22
Falls between levels
23
Electrical hazards
24
Fire
25
Flames, hot surfaces
26
Collision & entrapment
27
Explosions
28
Position & operability of amenities
29
Structural collapse & falling elements
Each hazard scored on its own likelihood and severity profile, with the appropriate vulnerable group from the Operating Guidance.
HHSRS FAQs
Who is qualified to carry out an HHSRS assessment?
HHSRS is most often performed by Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) acting under the Housing Act 2004, but it's also used by chartered building surveyors, social housing in-house teams, and private consultants for landlord pre-prosecution assessments and disrepair claims.
What's the difference between Category 1 and Category 2 hazards?
Category 1 hazards (score >1000) require the local authority to take enforcement action. Category 2 hazards (score <1000 but still significant) give the authority the power to act but no duty to do so. The numerical score is calculated from likelihood (1-in-N) multiplied by spread of harm (severity weighting Class I–IV).
Does it handle the age-banded vulnerability tables?
Yes. Each of the 29 hazards has a designated vulnerable group in the Operating Guidance (e.g. excess cold = persons 65+, falls on stairs = persons 60+, damp & mould = children under 14). The score is calculated against the vulnerable group regardless of who occupies the property.
What enforcement options does the report support?
The standard powers under Housing Act 2004 Part 1: Hazard Awareness Notice, Improvement Notice, Prohibition Order, Emergency Remedial Action (s.40), Emergency Prohibition Order (s.43), Demolition Order. Each recommendation captures the legal basis and any service-of-notice requirements.
Can a private landlord commission an HHSRS report?
Yes — landlords increasingly commission pre-emptive HHSRS assessments before re-letting, after a complaint, or as a defence to a tenant claim. The report is the same template as a council-instructed assessment; the instructing-party field captures the context.
One subscription. 15 report types.
£35/month or £30/month annually. All templates, unlimited reports.
14-day free trial · No credit card to start
Last reviewed: