HHSRS Category 1 hazard: what it means and what happens next

If your council inspects your home and finds serious problems, they may describe the issues as "Category 1 hazards" under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS). You'll find out what that means and what the council must do about it.

Key facts

• The 2024 to 2025 English Housing Survey found about 9% of homes in England, around 2.3 million, had a category 1 (most serious) hazard under the HHSRS. In the private rented sector the figure was 10%. English Housing Survey 2024-25, GOV.UK
• The same survey found about 15% of homes in England, around 4.0 million, did not meet the Decent Homes Standard. In the private rented sector the figure was 22%. English Housing Survey 2024-25, GOV.UK

What is the HHSRS?

The Housing Health and Safety Rating System is the framework local councils in England use to assess housing conditions. It looks at 29 types of hazard that can affect health and safety in a home, everything from damp and cold to electrical safety and falls on stairs.

Each hazard is assessed for how likely it is to cause harm and how serious that harm would be. The result is a score.

What is a Category 1 hazard?

A Category 1 hazard is a serious hazard that poses a significant risk to the health or safety of the occupants. The score for a Category 1 hazard is 1000 or above.

Common Category 1 hazards in rented homes include:

• Damp and mould growth: persistent damp that causes mould growth and poses a risk of respiratory illness
• Excess cold: a home that cannot be adequately heated, putting occupants at risk of cold-related illness
• Electrical hazards: dangerous wiring, exposed cables, or faulty consumer units
• Falls on stairs: broken banisters, steep stairs, or inadequate handrails
• Fire safety: lack of working smoke detectors, blocked escape routes, or unsafe gas appliances

What must the council do about a Category 1 hazard?

When a Category 1 hazard is identified, the council has a duty to take action. They cannot simply note it and walk away.

The options available to the council include:

• Improvement notice: a formal notice requiring the landlord to carry out the repairs within a set timeframe (usually 28 days minimum, though the notice period can be shorter in urgent cases)
• Prohibition order: prevents the landlord from letting or using part or all of the property until the hazard is remedied
• Emergency remedial action: in urgent cases, the council can carry out the work itself and charge the landlord for the cost
• Hazard awareness notice: used for less urgent situations where formal enforcement is not yet warranted (this is more common for Category 2 hazards)

What is a Category 2 hazard?

A Category 2 hazard scores below 1000. It is still a hazard that the council can take action on, but the council is not under the same duty to act as it is for Category 1 hazards. Council action on Category 2 hazards is discretionary.

What if the landlord does not comply with an improvement notice?

If a landlord fails to carry out works required by an improvement notice, the council can prosecute them or carry out the works itself and recover the costs. Failure to comply is a criminal offence.

Can I use an HHSRS report in a disrepair claim?

Yes. If an environmental health officer has inspected your property and issued a formal notice or report, that document can be powerful evidence in a housing disrepair claim. It represents an independent, official assessment of the conditions in your home.

When should I contact Support for Tenants?

If a council has found Category 1 hazards in your home, or if you believe your home has serious hazards that your landlord has not fixed, call us.

Call us on 0800 030 4669. No upfront cost. You only pay if you win, and the fee comes out of the compensation, not your pocket. If you don't win, you pay nothing.

Sources

• Housing Health and Safety Rating System Regulations 2005 (legislation.gov.uk)
• Housing Act 2004 (legislation.gov.uk)