The risk assessment system used by local authorities to judge health and safety issues relating to properties needs updating – and landlords are being asked to help.

The Housing Health and Safety Rating System has not been updated for 15 years and the government is consulting on changes.

The HHSRS calculates the health risks of household hazards such as excess cold, structural defects, damp, mould and other ventilation issues. 

Ten bands exist, into which each hazard is designated, but now a two-year research project is to review their appropriateness and value, along with a judgement on the quality of training for assessors. 

The government says: “This survey is aimed at a wide variety of organisations from those at one extreme that own/manage tens of thousands of dwellings through to a person that lets out just one dwelling.

“Do not be put off from completing the survey. The aim is to assist in informing significant improvements to the HHSRS.”

The review and associated research will focus on recommendations in relation to the following:

• Review of the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) Operating Guidance

• Development of an updated set of worked examples

• Reviewed HHSRS training for assessors and other stakeholders, including the introduction of a competency framework

• Development of a simpler means of banding HHSRS assessment results

• New recommended minimum standards

• Assessment into the amalgamation or removal of existing hazard profiles

• Review of HHSRS digital assessment tools

• Reviewed and updated HHSRS ‘Landlords Guidance’ and new ‘Tenants Guidance’

• Reviewed and updated HHSRS Enforcement Guidance

• Review of the fire safety hazard.

The online survey for landlords can be found here until the end of this month.