More than 2 million English homes fail minimum safety standard due to Category 1 hazards

More than 2.09 million homes in England failed to meet the statutory minimum housing standard in 2024 because they contained at least one Category 1 hazard, according to new analysis of Government housing data by Emperor Paint.

The research, based on the latest Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) figures published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, found that 8.4% of occupied homes in England contained the most serious category of housing hazards. Category 1 hazards are considered to pose the greatest risk to occupants’ health and safety and represent the most common reason for homes failing the Decent Homes Standard.

The analysis found significant regional differences. The Isles of Scilly recorded the highest proportion of homes containing Category 1 hazards, with 25.8% of properties affected, followed by West Devon at 18.6% and Torridge at 17.6%. The South West dominated the rankings, with seven of the 20 worst-performing local authorities located in the region. In contrast, London recorded one of the lowest regional proportions at 4.8%, although almost 180,000 homes in the capital still contained Category 1 hazards because of its large housing stock. The City of London had the lowest proportion nationally at 2.5%, followed by Tower Hamlets at 2.8%.

One of the most common Category 1 hazards is damp and mould. Jack Reading from Emperor Paint said: “Damp and mould go hand-in-hand because mould and other fungal growth require moisture to develop. To tackle mould, it’s important to check for all sources of moisture from both inside and outside the home. Start outside by inspecting exterior walls for signs like peeling paint or cracks, as well as damaged gutters or leaky window seals. Any sign of water damage on exterior walls could indicate penetrating damp.