Pin Point - NEW hazard rating criteria - 25 June 2026

NEW Hazard rating assessment criteria

The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 came into force on the 23rd June 2026, which amend the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (England) Regulations 2005 (HHSRS) following an overhaul of the assessment process.

The changes mainly affect the guidance and assessment process that the Local Authority use to assess dwellings under the Housing Act 2004 but do not change the enforcement duties themselves.

Local housing authorities have a duty to take action if they find a hazard at the most dangerous Category 1 level, and the option to take action if they find a hazard at the lower Category 2 level.

Hazards have been rearranged into 21 categories instead of 29, and the way that hazards scores are calculated has also changed based on more up to date statistics.

A baseline indicators checklist has also been introduced to allow landlords and agent to better understand any dwelling defects for themselves.

New guidance is available on the Gov.UK website. HHSRS Operating Guidance Part 1 contains an introductory guide to hazards within dwellings and a summary for landlords and agents can be found here: Landlord and agent guide to the HHHSRS.