Twenty-nine hazards have become twenty-one. The government has updated its guide to the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), which councils use to decide whether a rented home is safe. The rules are now easier to follow, but getting them wrong costs more.
The revised system has applied since 23 June 2026 and merges several related risks. For example, falls on level surfaces and falls involving baths and showers now come under one hazard called “falls on the level”. New baseline indicators give a checklist of the standards a home should meet, and hazard scoring has been simplified into clearer High, Medium and Low bands. On enforcement, councils can take landlords to the magistrates’ court, where fines are unlimited. They can also impose a civil penalty of up to £40,000 for not complying with an improvement notice, for offences on or after 1 May 2026 (the limit was previously £30,000). The changes apply in England only.
For North London landlords, this is especially relevant. Much of the rental housing in our area is Victorian and Edwardian terraces and converted flats, and older buildings are more likely to have the problems inspectors look for. Solid walls and older windows can lead to damp. High-ceilinged rooms can be hard to heat. Steep staircases can be a fall risk, and converted flats need extra attention to fire safety. With the heating about to go on, now is a good time to check.
A quick walk round your property will tell you a lot. Look for mould, condensation or damp staining, and check that every room heats well without draughts. Make sure stairs, handrails and floors are secure and well lit. Every floor with living space needs a working smoke alarm. Any living space with a fixed fuel-burning appliance, such as a gas boiler, needs a carbon monoxide alarm. The gas safety check must be done every year, and the electrics must be inspected at least every five years. If anything raises a question, it’s better to deal with it now than after a tenant complaint or a council visit.
Our property management team knows older London homes well and can help you spot and fix issues early. To arrange a review, contact [email protected] or call 020 7607 5001.
Source: Letting Agent Today
— Drivers & Norris