HHSRS: Your essential property inspection checklist

With updated health and safety rules due to be introduced next week, we have created a new checklist to help you make sure your homes are compliant. 

The changes are set to impact inspections from 22nd June as part of the revised Housing, Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) in England, and could see you hit with an on-the-spot fine of £7,000 if inspectors find a Category one hazard in your home. 

If they find multiple issues you could be hit with several £7k fines at once, and up to £40,000 if you subsequently fail to remedy the issue or continue to breach the rules. The changes mark a move away from the current system, in which inspectors issue improvement notices, giving you time to sort the problem, or problems, out. 

Under the new regime regular property inspections will be essential when it comes to protecting your tenants – and yourself – with our new checklist supporting you through the process. ​​

Performing a HHSRS inspection yourself

While changes have been made to simplify the HHSRS rules to make them easier for landlords and tenants to understand  (something you can learn more about here) it is still a technical system. 

Without a background in health and safety or construction it can be challenging to spot the difference between a Category one and two hazard, or the level of risk or threat a potential hazard poses.  

However, what you can do, is inspect your property using our checklist to see if the minimum standards for HHSRS are met. If your rental does meet the minimum standard for a safe home, then it is unlikely to have any hazards present, giving you and your tenants peace of mind. 

As well us using the list to check your existing properties, you can also use it when viewing any properties you might be thinking of buying. 

The comprehensive 31-page checklist outlines standards in a number of areas including: 

• The structural condition for the property, inside and out 

• Drainage, plumbing and sanitation and clothes drying facilities 

• Pest management  

• Internal doors 

• Space with the property and the garden and noise 

• Security 

• Walking surfaces and guard rails 

• Lighting and services,  

• Heating, insulation, ventilation and moisture contamination control and  

• Fire Safety 

It also includes a tick list allowing you to cross them off as you go along, guidance notes on what to look out for and a space for your own notes and observations.

Check in with your property manager or agent

If you use an agent or property manager for the day to day running of your property business it is worth checking that they are aware of the new system of fines as, no matter what the arrangement,  the buck stops with you as the landlord, and you could be hit with fines - even if regular inspections are the agent’s responsibility.

Download the checklist

To access and download the checklist visit our HSSRS guidance here and scroll down to the bottom of the page. 

Find out more at our exclusive member webinar

In the wake of the HHSRS announcement we have organised an exclusive member webinar to explain what the changes mean for you.  

The webinar ‘HHSRS: Understanding the Updated Standards’ will be held nest Wednesday, 24th June at 11am. The hour-long session will include an overview of the changes and how to ensure you remain compliant – with a Q&A session to address the issues that matter to you.  

To register for the free webinar, click here, and to submit a question email [email protected]

More information

• You can read more about HHSRS and your responsibilities in our members’ guide here.  
• The NRLA also runs a property standards and safety course outlining your obligations, which is being updated to include the new rules. To find out more and to book your place click here.