Housing standards for private rented homes

Housing standards for private rented properties, inspections, enforcement actions and costs.

Contents

How we inspect private rented homes

We investigate problems reported to us about private landlords and rented properties. 

Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)

We use the national Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) – GOV.UK to check the safety of privately rented homes.

We check homes for:

  • the chance of harm
  • how serious the harm would be

Each risk found is given a score. Category 1 hazards are the most serious and we must take action.

For more information, go to HHSRS definition of hazards – Shelter England.

How we will work with landlords

We will help you get your private rented property safe for your tenants.

We will tell you: 

  • what the hazards are
  • how to fix them
  • by when

We may take enforcement action against landlords if:

  • the risks found are very serious and dangerous
  • you do not fix the hazards listed
  • you do not fix the hazards to a safe standard