Legionella risk assessment
A Legionella risk assessment is a check you, as landlord, must carry out to judge whether the hot and cold water systems in your rented property could allow Legionella bacteria to grow and harm occupants, for example through Legionnaires’ disease. It flows from general health and safety law rather than housing specific legislation, but in practice it forms part of keeping the property safe and fit for human habitation.
For most small domestic lets, the assessment can be a simple, documented review rather than an expensive specialist survey. You look at factors such as:
Whether water is stored in cold water tanks or hot water cylinders). Alternatively it is supplied mainly direct from mains/combi.
Whether temperatures are high/low enough to discourage bacteria.
Whether there are rarely used outlets, dead legs or limescale build-up.
From a Renters’ Rights Act, failing to manage Legionella risk may contribute to a finding that the home is not fit for human habitation or breaches rental standards, exposing you to enforcement, ombudsman complaints or claims.
Landlords should keep a brief written record of the assessment, review it periodically and at change of tenancy, act on obvious issues, for example removing redundant pipework, flushing little-used showers). They should also give tenants basic advice on using the system safely.
