Keep the property free of category 1 hazards (HHSRS)

Any residential premises in England, including HMOs and rooms let to lodgers. Councils can inspect on complaint or on their own initiative.

Keep the property free of category 1 hazards across the 29 HHSRS hazard types (for example damp and mould, excess cold, falls, fire, electrical hazards). Where the council finds a category 1 hazard it must take one of: an improvement notice, a prohibition order, a hazard awareness notice, emergency remedial action, an emergency prohibition order, a demolition order or a clearance area declaration. For category 2 hazards it has a discretionary power to act. Landlords do not need to be trained HHSRS assessors.

Deadline

Ongoing

Continuous. See hhsrs-improvement-notice-compliance for the deadline once a notice is served.

• Periodic inspection records
• Repair logs showing hazards reported and fixed

Civil penalty

Up to £7,000

Other consequences

Since 22 June 2026, a civil penalty of up to £7,000 when the council first takes action on a category 1 hazard in qualifying premises (see hhsrs-category-1-civil-penalty). Enforcement notices and orders, works in default with cost recovery, and further sanctions if notices are not complied with.

• Housing Act 2004, s.5 (duty to take enforcement action on category 1 hazards)legislation.gov.uk
• Housing Act 2004, s.11 (improvement notices for category 1 hazards)legislation.gov.uk
• Housing Health and Safety Rating System (England) Regulations 2005 (SI 2005/3208)legislation.gov.uk

Official guidance

The statutory duty under s.5 sits with the council; the landlord's exposure comes from enforcement, the £7,000 penalty, the fitness for habitation covenant and, from 2035, the Decent Homes Standard criterion A. HHSRS is under review but the government says this will not change how a category 1 hazard is defined.

• Comply with a council improvement noticeIn force since 6 April 2006Fine up to £40,000

  If the council serves an improvement notice, you must start and finish the specified works by the dates in the notice; failing to do so is a criminal offence.

• Civil penalty up to £7,000 for a category 1 hazard (in force 22 June 2026)In force since 22 June 2026Fine up to £7,000

  Since 22 June 2026 councils can fine the responsible landlord up to £7,000 when they first take enforcement action on a category 1 hazard in a privately rented home, if it would have been reasonably practicable to remove it.

• Awaab's Law (fixed timescales for hazards) for private tenanciesProposed, not yet law

  The Renters' Rights Act 2025 contains the power to extend Awaab's Law (legal deadlines to investigate and fix hazards such as damp and mould) to private tenancies, but it is not in force and no start date has been set.

• Decent Homes Standard for privately rented homes from 2035Not yet in force: confirmed, no start dateFine up to £7,000

  The government has confirmed that a new Decent Homes Standard will apply to privately rented homes from 2035, enforced by councils. The standard's regulations have not yet been made.

• Repair the structure, exterior and installations (Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 s.11)In force

  For tenancies under 7 years, the landlord must keep the structure and exterior in repair and keep the water, gas, electricity, sanitation, heating and hot water installations in repair and working order.

• Keep the home fit for human habitationIn force since 20 March 2019

  The home must be fit for human habitation at the start of the tenancy and throughout it. Tenants can go to court if it is not.

• Give 24 hours' written notice to enter to inspect repairsIn force

  Where the landlord repairing covenant applies, you may enter to view the condition and state of repair only at reasonable times and after giving the occupier 24 hours' written notice.