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Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)
The HHSRS was introduced with the Housing Act 2004, and replaces
the previous housing fitness standard. The Government introduced
the system as the way of deciding whether the housing conditions of
residential premises are satisfactory. It looks at whether premises
have any defects that may give rise to a hazard, which in turn
could cause harm to the occupiers, or any visitors. A residential
property should be capable of satisfying the basic fundamental
needs for the everyday life of a household, such as providing
shelter, space and facilities for the occupants.
The HHSRS identifies 29 potential hazards
(listed below) and the effects that each may have on the
health and safety of the current or future occupant or any visitor
to the property. It applies to all residential properties
irrespective of whether they are occupied by a homeowner or a
tenant. It is not possible to completely remove all risk of harm
from within the property, but the system provides a way that
hazards can be assessed and to decide on what is the best way of
dealing with them.
Further
information about the HHSRS can be downloaded here (PDF 49KB)
>>
Telephone: (023) 9244 6670
Email: ehenvironment@havant.gov.uk
Visit: Civic Offices, Civic Centre Road,
Havant PO9 2AX
THE HHSRS CATEGORIES OF HOUSING HAZARD
1
Damp and mould growth
2
Excess cold
Health threat from sub-optimal indoor temperatures.
3
Excess heat
4
Asbestos and manufactured mineral fibres
5
Biocides
6
Carbon monoxide and fuel combustion products.
7
Lead
Hazards resulting from ingestion.
8
Radiation
Principally health threat from exposure to Radon and its sister
gases.
9
Uncombusted gas
Threat of asphyxiation from escaping fuel
gas.
10 Volatile
organic compounds
Health threat from exposure to harmful gasses
released from fabrics and paints etc at room temperature.
11 Crowding
and space
Health hazards linked to lack of space for
sleeping and normal household life.
12 Entry by
intruders
Psychological and actual threat to health and
safety from inadequate security against unauthorised entry.
13
Lighting
Threats to mental and physical health from
poor lighting.
14
Noise
Threats to mental and physical health from
excessive noise
15
Domestic hygiene, pests and refuse
16 Food
safety
17 Personal
hygiene, sanitation and drainage
Threats of infection and to mental health from
unhygienic conditions.
18 Water
supply for domestic purposes
Health threats from polluted water.
19 Falls
associated with baths etc
Includes injury from falls associated with
showers.
20 Falls
on the level
Includes injury from trip steps, thresholds
and ramps where the change in level is less than 300mm.
21 Falls
associated with stairs and steps
Includes injury from stairs and steps where
the change in level is greater than 300mm.
22 Falls
between levels
Includes injury from falls from windows,
balconies and landings.
23 Electrical
hazards
Hazards from electric shock and electricity
burns.
24
Fire
25 Hot
surfaces and materials
Includes burns and scolds from non-hot water
based liquids.
26 Collision
and entrapment
Injury from trapping body parts and striking
objects that are architectural features such as low ceilings, door
openings.
27
Explosions
Injury caused from the blast of an
explosion.
28
Ergonomics
Strains caused by poor design and layout.
29 Structural
collapse and falling elements
Injury from falling objects due to structural
failure, inadequate fixings and disrepair.