Damp and mould searches surge amid new HHSRS requirements

Damp and mould searches have surged following the introduction of the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS).

Data from Inventory Base reveals that Google search interest in damp and mould rose by 34%, increasing from an average score of 38.65 over the previous two months to 51.88 in the most recent two-month period.

The findings come as Inventory Base launches a new template tool designed to help landlords and letting agents assess housing hazards and support compliance with the HHSRS.

HHSRS overhaul

According to the data, search interest in “HHSRS” and “Housing Health and Safety Rating System” remained broadly stable, rising by 0.5%, while searches for “housing standards” fell by 2.1%.

Meanwhile, searches for “housing inspection” dropped by 47.3%, while broader searches for “housing safety” and “housing conditions” fell by 33.1% and 34.7%.

The HHSRS was overhauled for the first time in 20 years, with the number of hazards reduced from 29 to 21 after several hazards were combined.

One example is the new ‘falls on the level’ hazard, which brings together falls associated with baths, showers and other washing facilities with falls on level surfaces.

The revamped system also introduces baseline indicators, which provide suggested standards against which assessors can identify potential deficiencies in a property.

Damp and mould remain important issues

Sián Hemming-Metcalfe, operations director at Inventory Base, said: “The updated HHSRS framework puts renewed emphasis on how housing hazards are identified, assessed and managed. For landlords and letting agents, understanding the changes and how they apply in practice is an important part of maintaining safe properties and meeting their responsibilities.

“Damp and mould remain particularly important issues for the sector, as they can affect both the condition of a property and the health of the people living in it. The rise in search interest around these issues highlights the need for property professionals to have a clear understanding of the hazards they may encounter and how these should be documented.

“The changes to HHSRS also reinforce the importance of having reliable inspection processes and accurate property records. While an inventory or inspection report cannot replace a formal HHSRS assessment, consistent documentation can help agents and landlords track property condition, record issues as they arise and evidence the action taken.”

The firm has also launched a new HHSRS template tool for landlords and letting agents, which it says will help identify and document potential hazards.

Inventory Base says clear records can help establish what was identified, when it was recorded and what action was taken in response.