HHSRS — Housing Hazard Improvement Notice — landlord obligations in England
Local housing authorities inspect private rented properties for hazards using the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS). Where a hazard is found, the authority may serve an improvement notice requiring you to fix it within a specified period. You must comply with any such notice. Failure to comply is a criminal offence and the authority may carry out the works itself and recover costs from you.
The law that creates this obligation
Your obligations as a landlord
- Who this applies to: All private residential landlords subject to local housing authority inspection.
- When it applies: When a local housing authority serves an improvement notice following an HHSRS inspection.
- What you must do: Carry out the required works within the period specified in the improvement notice. Keep records of works carried out and dates of completion.
What good evidence looks like
Your compliance file should contain
- Written record or document confirming this obligation has been met
- Date of compliance — email timestamp, signed receipt, or platform log
- Set a reminder for the compliance deadline stated in the improvement notice.
Upload the improvement notice received and evidence of the works carried out within the required timeframe.
Record this obligation in your LettingsLedger workspace
Upload evidence, set reminders, and build a timestamped compliance record — all in one place.
Consequences of non-compliance
Non-compliance with an improvement notice is a criminal offence. The authority may carry out the works itself and charge you the cost. Civil penalty up to £30,000 or unlimited fine on prosecution.
Further reading for landlords
LettingsLedger is a compliance evidence governance platform. It is not a legal services provider and does not provide legal advice. Content is derived from UK primary legislation at legislation.gov.uk and official GOV.UK sources. Reflects the position as at June 2026. A GovProtocol product by Pertheo Limited.