Britain’s landlords are struggling to get their heads around the complex new Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), according to the latest research from the National Landlords Association,

The HHSRS covers twenty-nine different areas of risk, considerably extending the simple 9 point housing ‘Fitness Standard’ currently in use. However, just over 1 in 10 of landlords say that they have a thorough understanding of the new system. 45% of landlords were ‘aware of’ the Government’s new rules, while a worrying 38% (almost 1 in 4) have no knowledge of them at all.

Given that the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has already published many hundreds of pages on this subject, it comes as no great surprise that landlords – and local authorities – are struggling to understand the new regime. Yvette Cooper, Minister for Housing and Planning, recently announced a delay to its implementation from this autumn to next spring.

David Salusbury, chairman of the National Landlords Association, "Many of the requirements of the new system do make sense. Nobody would query the need for suitable heating and ventilation, a supply of piped water, drainage, safe electrical installations and lighting. But these matters are mostly already adequately covered by the current Fitness Tests."

"With these twenty-nine new risk categories, the legislation does seem unduly complex: the Government is using a hammer to crack a nut."

"What people haven’t realised is that these same rules apply equally to the homes we own and live in – but can you imagine the reaction if the law forced people to attend to these twenty-nine categories of risk in their own homes?"

The new ‘Hazard Profiles’ are divided into four groupings, entitled Physiological Requirements, Psychological Requirements, Protection against Infection, and Protection against Accidents.

"One can only applaud initiatives to improve the quality of the UK housing stock, both rental and owner occupied, but the sheer weight and complexity of the rules will undoubtedly scare the living daylights out of many landlords," Mr Salusbury said ".And what about owner-occupiers? Surely what’s good for the goose is good for the gander… would you know if your home is at risk from biocides or volatile organic compounds?"

Landlords are similarly unfamiliar with other aspects of the Housing Act. 27% of them said they had no knowledge of the new definition of Houses in Multiple Occupation or of Licensing of HMOs. Only 13% reported that they have a sound understanding of the new definition and 10% have a sound understanding of licensing of HMOs.

David Salusbury concluded: "The private rental sector provides homes for millions of people who need rented accommodation in this country, including many of the most vulnerable. Initiatives to ensure that their homes are safe and decent are laudable, but I believe the existing procedures mostly work pretty well. I just hope that the rating system and licensing procedures are applied by local authorities with a positive, reasonable approach so that landlords are not discouraged from providing rental accommodation – that would be a disaster all around."

"We at the NLA remain committed to helping both landlords and local authorities understand the implications of the new regime."

A dwelling house should:

• be free from serious disrepair
• be structurally stable
• be free from dampness prejudicial to the health of the occupants
• have adequate provision for lighting, heating and ventilation
• have an adequate piped supply of wholesome water
• have an effective system for the drainage of foul, waste and surface water
• have a suitably located WC for exclusive use of the occupants
• have a bath or shower and wash-hand basin, with hot and cold water
• have satisfactory facilities for the preparation and cooking of food including a sink with hot and cold water

Housing Health and Safety Rating System (new requirements)

The hazard profiles
A	Physiological requirements
	Hygrothermal Conditions
	1	Damp and mould growth
	2	Excess cold
	3	Excess heat
	Pollutants (non-microbial)
	4	Asbestos (and MMF)
	5	Biocides
	6	Carbon Monoxide and fuel combustion products
	7	Lead
	8	Radiation
	9	Uncombusted fuel gas
	10	Volatile Organic Compounds
B	Psychological requirements
	Space, Security, Light and Noise
	11	Crowding and space
	12	Entry by intruders
	13	Lighting
	14	Noise
C	Protection against infection
	15	Domestic hygiene, Pests and Refuse
	16	Food safety
	17	Personal hygiene, Sanitation and Drainage
	18	Water supply for Domestic Purpose
D	Protection against accidents
	Falls
	19	Falls associated with baths etc
	20	Falls on the level
	21	Falls associated with stairs and steps
	22	Falls between levels
	Electric Shocks, Fires, Burns and Scalds
	23	Electrical hazards
	24	Fire
	25	Hot surfaces and materials
	Collisions, Cuts and Strains
	26	Collision and entrapment
	27	Explosions
	28	Ergonomics
	29	Structural collapse and failing elements