News from 24 June 2026
Find help with safety checks and inspections.
Update, 7 September 2026. This report concerns the HHSRS guidance for England. For another UK nation, start with the rules for your property’s location. The original June report follows.
The government refreshed its Housing Health and Safety Rating System guide for landlords and agents on 23 June 2026. HHSRS is used to assess risks to people’s health and safety at home. The guide includes examples of the hazards councils consider.
The hazards covered by the guide
HHSRS sits behind many practical conversations about property standards. It is relevant when councils inspect rented homes, when tenants report serious disrepair, and when landlords are deciding which repairs or improvements should be prioritised. The system looks at the likelihood of harm and the possible severity of that harm, rather than simply asking whether a defect exists.
That approach can matter in everyday management. A loose stair covering, poor handrail, persistent condensation, unreliable heating, exposed electrics or an unsafe window arrangement may each look like a maintenance issue at first glance. Under the HHSRS lens, the question becomes whether the condition creates a health or safety risk for the occupier or visitors.
The newly listed case studies are also useful because they show the range of hazards assessors may consider. They include falls on level surfaces, stairs and between levels; fire and explosions; electricity; excess cold; damp and mould growth; asbestos; water supply; crowding and space; intruders; noise; lighting and obstructed views. That breadth is a useful reminder that property safety is wider than the checks most landlords calendar every year.
