Legionella Risk Assessment: A Landlord’s Guide to being legally compliant in the UK

Assessment of the risk of Legionella is a legal duty for landlords in the UK. It’s a common misdiagnosis, but you cannot afford to ignore the issue — managing exposure to Legionella bacteria in landlords’ rental homes is crucial for a tenant’s health and for ensuring the required compliance measures are in place. This guide explains what a Legionella risk assessment is, who is responsible, and how landlords can stay compliant with UK regulations.

What Is Legionella?

Legionella is a bacterium that can develop in water systems. If water droplets contaminated with Legionella are inhaled, they can cause Legionnaires’ disease, a potentially serious type of pneumonia. Especially in places with stagnant water, where temperatures range from 20°C to 45°C, bacteria thrive, making domestic water systems in rental properties a threat if they are not maintained effectively.

Legally Required Legionella Risk Assessment

Under the 1974 Act and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH), landlords have a duty to assess and control the risk of exposure to Legionella bacteria. This is applicable to any rental property, whether single-let or HMO. Although the law does not require that there should be a professional assessment in all cases, landlords must be able to ensure that they:

· Recognised potential causes of risk

· Assessed the level of exposure

· Put proper control measures in place

· Maintained records of their findings and their actions

Failure to properly manage Legionella risk can result in enforcement action and even hefty penalties.

What is a Potential Risk Assessment of Legionella?

A Legionella risk assessment generally consists of the following: