Learn what changed in the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) on 23 June 2026, what stayed the same, and how to interpret reports written under the previous system.
The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) changed on 23 June 2026, when the Housing Health and Safety Rating System Regulations 2026 and new statutory Operating and Enforcement Guidance came into force. This short Tier 1c microlearning is for anyone in housing or retrofit who reads or acts on HHSRS assessments. It explains what changed, what stayed the same, and how to interpret reports written under the previous system, so you can work confidently with both versions while older reports remain in use.
You'll learn the main changes to the system: the number of hazards fell from 29 to 21, the ten scoring bands (A to J) became three (High, Medium and Low), and the four classes of harm were renamed Extreme, Severe, Serious and Moderate. You'll see how the old bands map onto Category 1 and Category 2 under the new system, and how the 2006 guidance was replaced.
You'll find out which hazards were combined, and why. Hazards with similar causes and harm outcomes were merged into five new hazards: falls on the level, domestic hygiene, indoor air pollutants, collisions, entrapment and ergonomics, and fire and explosions. You'll also learn which hazards were deliberately kept separate, such as falling on stairs and falling between levels.
You'll understand that the core method has not changed. Assessors still judge likelihood and the spread of harm outcomes, use the same formula and weightings, and score each hazard for its vulnerable age group. Local authorities keep the same duty to act on Category 1 hazards and the same discretionary powers for Category 2 hazards.
You'll learn what baseline indicators are: simple, practical checks that help people without formal HHSRS training to spot a potential hazard. Using a labelled picture of a home, you'll see common examples and understand why a failed indicator signals that a hazard needs attention, rather than confirming a Category 1 hazard.
You'll practise reading reports produced before 23 June 2026. You'll convert old bands and classes of harm to their new equivalents, find where a combined hazard now belongs, and know when an older report can be interpreted and when a new inspection under the current rules is needed.
