Recognise, record, escalate
The reformed guidance is clearer than ever about who does what. Spotting and recording problems is open to everyone. Scoring a hazard is for trained assessors only.
“Full assessments involving scoring should only be carried out by those trained in the HHSRS assessment process, however, preliminary property safety assessments can be completed using the HHSRS baseline indicators checklist.”
HHSRS Operating Guidance Part 1, June 2026
So the job for lettings teams isn't to rate hazards. It's to recognise when something could affect someone's health or safety, record it with good evidence, and escalate it quickly to the right person. Everything we've built is designed around that idea.
1. HHSRS Made Simple 2026: our free guide
We first published HHSRS Made Simple in March 2026, ahead of the reform. This new edition reflects the framework as it actually landed, and the parts of the Renters' Rights Act 2025 that are now live.
In 16 pages, it covers:
• What the reform changed, including the 21 hazard categories and the new High, Medium and Low bands.
• What's in force now, what's law but not yet live, and what's still only a proposal, so you don't mix them up.
• Where the line sits between recognising a hazard and rating one.
• What the changes mean for property managers, letting agents, build-to-rent operators and inventory clerks.
• Our updated Simple Escalation Filter: four questions that tell you how quickly to act and who to involve, starting with a new first question: is anyone in immediate danger?
Download HHSRS Made Simple 2026 for free HERE
2. The HHSRS Hazard Awareness Screening report
We've also built a new report template for Inventory Hive: the HHSRS Hazard Awareness Screening report. It's a 44-question visual screening tool, organised into 12 sections, that touches all 21 hazard categories, either through a direct question or a documented reason for leaving it out.
It's designed to be completed by people who aren't HHSRS assessors, so:
• No question asks you to measure, calculate, test, sample or score anything.
• Every answer is a simple observation: what was seen, heard or voluntarily disclosed on the day.
• Photos and 360° images capture the evidence where it matters most.
• Flagged answers are escalation triggers for review, never a hazard rating.
• Every report closes with a clear disclaimer and an inspector declaration, so nobody is ever asked to certify something outside their competence.
It's built on our Custom Reports feature, so it can be tailored, and it's designed to be completed in roughly 15 to 20 minutes on site.
3. Screening guidance and design rationale
Alongside the report, we've written a guide that explains how the question set was designed, what the report can and can't tell you, and what to do with what it finds.
It also explains why some hazards are left out of direct questioning. Radon, for example, can't be detected without testing equipment, and lead paint looks like any other paint. Rather than ask about these poorly, the report records the context and leaves the assessment to the right specialist.
Why we've drawn the line where we have
It would have been easy to build something that looked more “HHSRS”, with scores and ratings filled in by whoever happens to be on site. We chose not to.
The gap between an observation and an assessment isn't about how much information you have. Even with full measurements, photos and occupancy details, the likelihood and harm judgements behind an HHSRS score need assessor training. Asking untrained staff to make them puts pressure on your team and exposes landlords and agents to risk.
What lettings teams can do brilliantly is spot issues early, record them consistently, and get them to the right person fast. That's what these tools are for.
Get started
Read the guide: download HHSRS Made Simple 2026 for free HERE
See the screening report: if you'd like to see our sample HHSRS Hazard Awareness Screening report and the screening guidance, get in touch on 0333 358 3638 or through our contact page HERE
Try Inventory Hive: start your free 30-day trial. No card details required.
This article gives general information only and isn't legal advice. The HHSRS Hazard Awareness Screening report is an awareness tool, not a formal HHSRS assessment.