The Housing Safety Rules Have Changed. Is Your Property Still Compliant?
Everything you need to know about the upcoming changes and their impact on landlords.
The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) is the framework used by local authorities in England and Wales to assess health and safety hazards in residential properties, helping to ensure homes remain safe for residents and visitors.
Updated HHSRS guidance came into force on 23rd June 2026. While the framework has been refreshed, the responsibilities for landlords and letting agents remain largely unchanged. They must continue to identify, manage and address hazards, with local authorities using the HHSRS to assess risks.
Read on to discover what's changed, what it means for landlords and letting agents, and how to remain compliant under the updated framework.
What has changed?
The updated HHSRS introduces a clearer, more streamlined approach to assessing housing hazards and recording risk. As highlighted by Propertymark, the key changes include:
- Replacing the existing A to J hazard bands with three simplified categories: High, Medium and Low.
- Renaming the four classes of harm to Extreme, Severe, Serious and Moderate, alongside a simplified scoring system.
- Expanding the definition of fire hazards to include risks associated with smoke and fumes, explosions, and structural collapse caused by fire.
Why compliance matters
The updated framework places greater emphasis on identifying and addressing hazards before they pose a risk to occupants. While the way risks are assessed has changed, landlords and letting agents remain legally responsible for providing safe, well-maintained homes.
Property118 has reported that landlords who fail to comply with the updated HHSRS requirements could face fixed penalty notices of up to £7,000 per hazard, as well as civil penalties of up to £40,000 where serious hazards are not addressed and breaches continue.
How can landlords navigate these changes?
According to the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), landlords who already comply with existing HHSRS requirements should not need to make significant changes. As the NRLA explains:
"If landlords are complying with all current Health and Safety guidance under the HHSRS, landlords don't need to do anything fundamentally different. However, landlords must continue to carry out regular inspections of their properties to make sure they are hazard-free and safe for tenants to live in."
For letting agents, the priority remains the same: identify hazards early, advise landlords on their legal responsibilities, and ensure remedial works are completed promptly.
Regular inspections, effective maintenance management and clear communication with landlords are essential. Maintaining accurate inspection records, documenting reported issues and responding quickly to identified hazards will help demonstrate compliance should a local authority investigate a complaint or carry out an inspection.
How can Gateway help?
We work alongside our landlord clients to build and maintain a robust compliance framework, helping you meet your legal responsibilities with confidence. Our experienced teams manage the day-to-day processes, allowing you to stay focused while remaining compliant with the latest requirements.
Now is the time to review your compliance arrangements to identify risks early, reduce enforcement risk and keep residents safe.
Speak to our Lettings Team today to find out more about how Gateway support your rental portfolio. Call us today on 01702 443 546, visit our website at gatewayresidential.co.uk, or email contact@gatewayresidential.co.uk.
