News
CIEH call on government to update the housing health and safety rating system
The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH), the national body representing environmental health professionals, has revealed there is strong support to update and review the Housing Health and Safety Rating System which is used to take action on poor housing.
The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), introduced in the Housing Act 2004, is the system used to assess the severity of health and safety hazards in the home. It looks at faults and deficiencies that could cause injury and ill-health to residents. The system has been in place since April 2006, and, since the tragic Grenfell Tower fire, has taken on increased importance in ensuring that the places we live in are safe and not a danger to our health.
Building on a recent housing report commissioned by the charity, Shelter, this new report looks at the HHSRS 11 years on from its introduction. It is based on a survey and consultation with environmental health professionals (EHPs) across the country, who use the system regularly and play an essential role in intervening to protect people from the effects of poor housing conditions and the impact these might have on their health.
Key findings from the report include:
- 97% of EHPs believe that the HHSRS needs updating.
- 90% of EHPs want the official guidance updated and better working examples.
- 71 respondents called for underlying statistics of this evidence-based system to be updated.
- 53% said that they had witnessed hazards that are not properly covered by HHSRS.
In light of the findings, the CIEH is calling on the Government to take steps to update the housing safety system, including:
- A regular review of all hazard profiles within the HHSRS, to update the evidence base.
- A clarification of the definition of “vulnerable occupiers”.
- Improving and updating the current worked examples and sets of guidance for professionals.
- Introducing a clear national minimum space standard to combat overcrowding.
Tamara Sandoul, Policy Manager at CIEH, said:
“The HHSRS is incredibly important to maintaining and improving housing safety and preventing ill health for tenants, and is generally seen as an improvement on the previous system.
“However, our study highlights the need for a full update and review of the rating system so that it continues to be relevant and fit for purpose. This is a key tool for taking action on poor housing and therefore needs to be kept up to date and not simply left gathering dust.
“In the wake of Grenfell, it is more important than ever that our housing safety system supports those professionals on the ground whose job it is to keep our homes safe.
“We look forward to working with the Government to ensure that not only are the necessary updates made, but that the voices of those environmental health professionals who rely on the system for guidance are heard in the process.”
London Property Licensing has published a free guide to the HHSRS which is available here.
The full CIEH report, ‘HHSRS – 11 years on’, can be accessed here.
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