skip through navigation (Access Key = S ) Jump to Accessibility Information (Access Key = 0 ) Jump to Home Page (Access Key = 1 ) Jump to News (Access Key = 2 ) Jump to Site Map (Access Key = 3 ) Jump to Search Box (Access Key = 4 ) Jump to Frequently Asked Questions (Access Key = 5 ) Jump to Help Page (Access Key = 6 ) Jump to Complaints (Access Key = 7 ) Jump to Terms and Conditions (Access Key = 8 ) Jump to Feedback Form (Access Key = 9 ) Jump to content (Access Key = N ) Jump to Business and Advice (Access Key = B ) Jump to Leisure and Culture (Access Key = C ) Jump to Council and Community Diary (Access Key = M ) Jump to Environment and Planning (Access Key = V ) Jump to Community and Learning (Access Key = G ) Jump to Do It Online (Access Key = O ) Jump to Children and Young People (Access Key = P ) Jump to A to Z Services (Access Key = T ) Jump to Your Council (Access Key = Y ) Jump to A too Z site Index (Access Key = Z ) jump to Read Speaker functionality (Access Key = L) Jump to Printer Friendly Version (Access Key = F) Jump to Text Only (Access Key = J) Jump to Change Contrast (Access Key = K)
The housing health and safety rating system (HHSRS)
What is it?

The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) is the government's system for assessing the health and safety risks in dwellings, and is designed as a replacement for the old fitness standard used by the Residential Environmental Health Section to inspect properties in Spelthorne.

The Principle

The principle of HHSRS is that any residential premises (including the structure, means of access, and any associated outbuilding, garden or yard) should provide a safe and healthy environment for any potential occupier or visitor. HHSRS is a risk assessment process and is comprehensive in its coverage of key health and safety risks in dwellings. In very broad terms, the Rating System works by assessing the risk associated with certain home hazards and if the likelihood of harm is significant the Council may take action to ensure that the risk is removed or reduced.

The Hazards

The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) considers the following hazards:

  • excess cold; damp and mould growth
  • fire and electrical hazards
  • carbon monoxide and fuel combustion products
  • crowding and space
  • entry by intruders
  • noise
  • domestic hygiene, pests and refuse
  • food safety
  • personal hygiene, sanitation and drainage
  • water supply for domestic purposes
  • structural collapse and falling elements
  • collision and entrapment
  • falls associated with baths; stairs and steps; between levels and on the level. .
What action can be taken?

Any action the Council may take will be based on a three-stage consideration:

  • the hazard rating determined under an HHSRS assessment;
  • whether the Council has a duty or power to act; and
  • the Council's judgement as to the most appropriate course of action to deal with the hazard.
There is a choice of action available to the Council, including the following:

  • serve an improvement notice requiring essential repairs or improvements;
  • make a prohibition order, which closes the whole or part of a dwelling or restricts the number of occupiers;
  • take emergency action where there is an imminent risk to the occupiers;
  • serve a hazard awareness notice informing interested parties on the presence of hazards.
For further information about hazards and HHSRS see the Department for Communities and Local Government website at www.communities.gov.uk (external website).