We at RHE Global are pleased to see the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), the largest landlord representative body, supporting the recommendations we delivered through the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) Review. The NRLA’s recognition comes at a critical time, when discussions around the Renters’ Rights Bill and the Grenfell Inquiry Report are highlighting the need for improved housing standards and safety measures across the private and social rented sectors.

Our comprehensive two-year review of the HHSRS, commissioned by the previous government and completed in 2022, was underpinned by extensive research and engagement with stakeholders, including local authorities, landlords, tenants and housing professionals. The outcomes of the review, published by the government in September 2023, are designed to simplify and enhance the existing system, making it more efficient for local authorities to enforce and easier for landlords and tenants to understand.

Our recommendations include:

• Amalgamation of hazards: We advise reducing the number of hazards from 29 to 21 to streamline the assessment process. This change will make it more efficient for local authorities and easier for landlords and tenants to understand and comply with safety standards.

• Baseline indicators: New baseline indicators will be introduced to simplify the initial assessment of serious hazards. These indicators, while not replacing the full HHSRS risk assessment, will help landlords and tenants identify and address potential hazards more easily, supporting self-assessments to ensure compliance with safety criteria.

• Simplified assessment system: The new system will feature a simpler means of banding the results of HHSRS assessments, making it quicker and more consistent, which will serve as a robust measure for effective enforcement by local authorities.

• Fire and explosion hazards: In response to the Grenfell tragedy, an extensive review of the fire hazard was undertaken, which also resulted in the fire and explosion hazards being merged into a single category. Updated statistical evidence, baseline minimum standards and guidance will ensure that fire risks, particularly in high-rise and multi-occupied buildings, are assessed more effectively.

• Updated guidance and resources: The revised HHSRS includes proposals for a new statutory operating and enforcement guidance, comprehensive case studies, updated guidance for landlords and new guidance for tenants. This will improve transparency and accessibility across the sector, supporting consistent enforcement, and helping stakeholders better understand the system.

The NRLA’s endorsement reinforces the importance of implementing these recommendations to drive improvements in housing quality. Sector-led support, as has been highlighted through the NRLA’s support, is fundamental to success. We look forward to hearing more about the government’s proposed next steps in due course.

For more details on the HHSRS Review and its outcomes, please refer to the government’s summary report here.