What is it?
The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) is the Government approach to assessing potential risks to health and safety in private rented accommodation.
The HHSRS started in April 2006. It identifies 29 potential housing related hazards:
- damp and mould growth
- excess cold
- excess heat
- asbestos
- 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 for domestic purpose
- falls associated with baths etc
- falls on the level
- falls associated with stairs and steps
- falls between levels
- electrical hazards
- fire
- hot surfaces and materials
- collision and entrapment
- explosions
- ergonomics
- structural collapse and falling elements
How will it work?
The council assesses the condition of the whole house under the HHSRS.
This means that before we can make an assessment, our enforcement officers must carry out a thorough survey of the property to collect evidence of its condition.
Initially three judgements are needed:
- the likelihood of something happening to harm the occupiers.
- the possible outcomes of such an occurrence.
- how it will affect vulnerable groups.
Each hazard will be considered and scored separately. The score given will place the hazard into one of the following 10 bands:
Band (hazard score range)
- 5,000 or more
- 2,000 to 4,999
- 1,000 to 1,999
- 500 to 999
- 200 to 499
- 100 to 199
- 50 to 99
- 20 to 49
- 10 to 19
- 9 or less
Hazards falling into bands A to C are category one hazards.
Hazards falling into bands D to J are category two hazards. Category one is the most serious.
The council has a duty to take action to deal with category one hazards. It also has discretionary powers to take action to deal with category two hazards.
What new powers will the council have?
We have the following powers to deal with these hazards:
- serve an Improvement Notice.
- make a Prohibition Order (similar to the current Closing Order provision).
- serve a Hazard Awareness Notice (a notice advising the person on whom it is served that a hazard exists).
- take emergency remedial action.
- make an Emergency Prohibition Order (these two emergency provisions are a new concept which will be welcomed to deal with imminent risks to occupiers).
- make a Demolition Order.
- declare a Clearance Area.
The council will take the best course of action available depending on the hazard.
For more information, contact 01724 297629 or email: environmentalhealth.housing@northlincs.gov.uk.