Call of the month - legionella

This week we were able to help one of our members who called our landlord support line looking for information about their responsibilities around legionella inspections. 

They have a single property that they rent out after inheriting it a number of years ago.

Arranging for a new tenant to move in for the first time, they wanted to check on their health and safety obligations, which was when the topic of legionella arose.  

Legionnaires’ disease is an illness caused by the legionella bacteria which comes from breathing in contaminated water and can be fatal. The bacteria are found in the natural environment and can grow in - and contaminate - water systems. Landlords have a legal responsibility to perform a risk assessment to minimise the risk of exposure to tenants and any other visitors to the property. 

Risks are greater in a property that has been empty, as when properties are occupied and the water systems are being used on a normal regular basis then the risk of legionella is much lower due to the hot water (of 60°C or above) killing the bacteria. This means the risk is low in most residential settings.

What are landlords' responsibilities around legionella?

Landlords are under a duty to perform a risk assessment, but under normal circumstances they are able to carry this out themselves.

We advised our member to read our guidance and to make use of our risk assessment template form, and to make sure they run the water systems through on hot for at least two minutes before letting out the property as a control measure.

This docment will also let them know what they need to do next, should any risks be identified.