Legionella risk assessment for landlords: are your tenants at risk?

Every year, hundreds of people in the UK contract Legionnaires’ disease; a lung infection so severe that around 10% of cases prove fatal. Contracting this disease isn’t unavoidable, in fact it is quite preventable if the right measures are taken to prevent the growth of the bacteria that causes it. That’s where your responsibility as a landlord comes in. When was the last time you had a Legionella risk assessment for landlords carried out at your property?

If the answer is never or not for at least a year, then it’s time you get one. Here’s why:

Legionella is all around us

Legionella bacteria can be commonly found in natural water sources, such as lakes and rivers. However, levels occurring in natural environments are usually not high enough to pose a threat when we’re exposed to it.

In contrast, man-made environments, such as water storage units, air conditioning systems and other water systems in kitchens and bathrooms can present an ideal breeding ground for Legionella to multiply to dangerous levels. These bacteria thrive especially well at water temperatures between 20–45°C.

Legionella can be controlled with legionella risk assessment for landlords

Legionella likes warm, slow-moving water to grow. A Legionella risk assessment carried out for your residential property, can help identify potential risks and suggest how to mitigate or eliminate them. For example, instantaneous water heaters can be used to avoid the use of water storage tanks, and control settings on hot water cylinders can be set to 60°C.

As a landlord, UK legislation, namely the L8 Approved Code of Practice, states that you are required to assess the Legionella exposure risk to tenants on your premises. This is why our legionella risk assessment for landlords is vital.

To make sure you are fully compliant with current legislation, Bison Assist are here to help with a comprehensive Legionella risk assessment for landlords. Discover more about our service and ensure you are meeting your responsibilities as a landlord today.