Surveyor CPD Hub

HHSRS training: courses & qualifications explained

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If you work in housing condition, HHSRS training has gone from “useful” to “expected” — because the Housing Health and Safety Rating System is the framework behind how damp, mould and other hazards are assessed, and Awaab’s Law has put it under the spotlight. This guide explains what HHSRS is, who needs training, and the options — so you can choose the right course.

What is HHSRS?

The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) is the risk-based assessment method used in England to judge whether a home is hazardous to health and safety. It covers 29 hazard types — including damp and mould growth — and rates how serious each is, which determines what enforcement action a local authority can or must take.

It’s the technical backbone of housing-condition work, and understanding it is increasingly part of being credible in this field.

Who needs HHSRS training?

  • Environmental health & housing officers — who carry out and act on assessments.
  • Surveyors — who assess condition and increasingly need to speak the HHSRS language. See how to become a surveyor.
  • Landlords and managing agents — who need to evidence that properties are safe, especially under Awaab’s Law.
  • Contractors and remediation specialists — who benefit from understanding how their work maps to hazards.

HHSRS training and qualification options

Training ranges from short awareness courses to fuller certificated HHSRS training:

  • Awareness / introductory — a day or so; good grounding for landlords and related roles.
  • Practitioner / certificated — more in-depth, for those assessing or acting on hazards.
HHSRS has been subject to review and reform proposals. Course content and guidance can change — confirm a course covers the current position before you book.

How HHSRS connects to damp, mould & Awaab’s Law

Damp and mould is one of the 29 HHSRS hazards, and it’s the one driving most current attention because of Awaab’s Law — which obliges landlords to act on damp and mould within set timescales. If your interest is the damp and mould side specifically, HHSRS gives you the assessment framework that sits underneath it.

Free resources to start

Before booking a paid course, get oriented for free. The free CPD directory lists HHSRS and regulatory CPD, including official guidance, each annotated with who it suits.

How I can help

I work in housing condition and energy assessment and train new students, so I can help you pick HHSRS training that matches your role. My own CPD courses — including HHSRS for practitioners — are in development; join the list for early access and a launch discount.

Frequently asked questions

What is HHSRS?

The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) is the risk-based method used in England to assess hazards in residential property — 29 hazard types, including damp and mould. Local authorities use it to decide whether conditions are dangerous and what enforcement action to take.

Who needs HHSRS training?

Environmental health officers, housing officers, surveyors, landlords and contractors working in housing condition all benefit from HHSRS training — especially now that Awaab's Law has put damp and mould hazards centre stage.

What HHSRS qualifications are available?

Options range from short awareness courses to more substantial certificated HHSRS training. Confirm what a course leads to before enrolling.

How long is HHSRS training?

It depends on depth — from a one-day awareness session to multi-day certificated courses.

Is HHSRS changing?

HHSRS has been subject to review and proposed reform. The core method is well established, but guidance and detail can change, so always check the current position before relying on specifics.