Housing, Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)
Understanding HHSRS: Keeping Your Home Safe and Healthy
East Suffolk Council is committed to providing and maintaining homes that are safe, healthy, and free from serious hazards.
In this page you will:
- Learn about the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) and how we help keep your home safe, secure, and healthy.
What is HHSRS?
The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) is a risk-based assessment used to assess potential risks to health and safety in residential properties. The scores are based on the risk of harm to the occupiers which results from a defect, and the seriousness of the potential harm. HHSRS was introduced in the Housing Act 2004.
| The 21 HHSRS Hazards | |
|---|---|
| Protection against accidents 1. Falls on the level 2. Falling on stairs etc. 3. Falling between levels 4. Fire and explosions 5. Flames, hot surfaces, etc. 6. Collisions, entrapment and ergonomics 7. Structural collapse and falling elements 8. Electrical hazards |
Physiological requirements 9. Excess cold 10. Radiation 11. Damp and mould growth 12. Lead 13. Indoor air pollutants 14. Excess heat 15. Asbestos and manufactured mineral fibres |
| Protection against infection 16. Domestic hygiene 17. Water supply |
Psychological requirements 18. Crowding and space 19. Entry by intruders 20. Noise 21. Lighting |
The aim is to ensure homes are safe, healthy, and suitable to live in.
How We Assess Risks
Step 1: Report repairs, hazards, or safety concerns via:
- myHome East Suffolk;
- contacting our Council Housing Repairs Team;
- online housing repair request form;
- or by calling Customer Services on 0333 016 2000.
Step 2: Our qualified Maintenance Inspectors may inspect the property to assess the reported issue and identify any other potential hazards.
Step 3: Risk assess and score any hazards using HHSRS guidance to determine the severity and urgency of the issue.
Step 4: Plan to remove or reduce the risk and explain the next steps to residents.
Step 5: Carry our repairs and improvements necessary to make the home safe.
What We Will Do as Your Landlord
Maintain Safe Homes: We inspect and maintain our properties to meet required safety standards.
Respond to Repairs: We investigate reported hazards and prioritise urgent health and safety concerns.
Communicate Clearly: We keep residents informed throughout the inspection and repair process.
Support Vulnerable Residents: We consider the needs of older people, children, and residents with health conditions.
Monitor Improvements: We review completed work to ensure hazards have been resolved effectively.
What Residents Can Do
- Report repairs promptly;
- Allow access for inspections and repairs;
- Tell us if your circumstances have changed;
- Follow safety advice provided by our teams;
- Report damp, mould, or other issues as soon as they appear.
Contact us
Need to report a health or safety concern?
- myHome East Suffolk;
- contacting our Council Housing Repairs Team;
- online housing repair request form;
- or by calling Customer Services on 0333 016 2000.