The 29 HHSRS Hazards Explained: A Landlord's Guide to Keeping Properties Safe and Compliant.

The 29 HHSRS Hazards Explained: A Landlord's Guide to Keeping Properties Safe and Compliant

In our previous blog, we introduced the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) which was amended on 22^nd June 2026 and explained why it matters to landlords.

Now it's time to take a closer look at the 29 hazards that local authorities assess during inspections.

Understanding these hazards doesn't just help you stay compliant, it helps you create safer homes, reduce maintenance costs, and minimise the risk of enforcement action.

We have put together a table of all 29 hazards and what they mean which will help you with what steps you can take as a responsible landlord when doing your property inspections to record any potential issues before they arise and take action as appropriate.

The table below and our checklist we have created can be accessed on the website here https://www.easternlandlords.org.uk/2026-of-setting-up-your-tenancy

HHSRS - Categories and the 29 Hazards

Category 1 Hazard — A serious and immediate risk to health and safety. Local authorities must take action.

Category 2 Hazard — A less serious or less urgent hazard. Authorities may take action where appropriate.

Hazard	Typical health effects
Damp and mould growth	Allergies, asthma, effects of mould toxins, fungal infections.
Excess cold	Flu, pneumonia, bronchitis, heart attacks, strokes.
Excess heat	Dehydration, heat illness, stroke, cardiovascular and respiratory problems.
Asbestos and MMF	Lung damage; skin, eye and lung irritation.
Biocides	Harm from inhalation, skin contact or swallowing chemicals.
Carbon monoxide and fuel combustion products	Dizziness, nausea, headaches, unconsciousness, breathing difficulties.
Lead	Lead poisoning; nervous disorders, mental health and blood production issues.
Radiation	Lung cancer from radon exposure.
Uncombusted fuel gas	Suffocation.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)	Allergies, eye/nose/skin irritation, headaches, nausea, dizziness and drowsiness.
Crowding and space	Psychological distress, mental disorders, hygiene issues, loss of privacy.
Entry by intruders	Stress, fear of burglary, injuries caused by intruders.
Lighting	Depression, psychological effects, eye strain.
Noise	Sleep disturbance, poor concentration, headaches, anxiety.
Domestic hygiene, pests and refuse	Intestinal disease, infection, asthma, allergies, disease from rats.
Food safety	Diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach upset, dehydration.
Personal hygiene, sanitation and drainage	Intestinal disease, skin infections, depression.
Water supply	Dehydration, fatigue, headaches, bladder infections, Legionnaires' disease.
Falls associated with baths	Cuts, lacerations, bruises and other physical injuries.
Falls on level surfaces	Bruises, fractures, head, brain and spinal injuries.
Falls associated with stairs and steps	Bruises, fractures, head, brain and spinal injuries.
Falls between levels	Physical injuries from falls from height.
Electrical hazards	Electric shock and burns.
Fire	Burns, smoke inhalation, death.
Flames, hot surfaces and materials	Burns, scalds, permanent scarring, death.
Collision and entrapment	Cuts, bruises and other physical injuries.
Explosions	Crushing injuries, fractures, puncture wounds, head, brain and spinal injuries.
Ergonomics	Strains and sprains.
Structural collapse and falling elements	Physical injury from collapse or falling building elements.