Legionella Risk Assessment
What is Legionella and why do we care about it?
Legionella is a bacterium that lives in water and causes a fatal pneumonia-type sickness known as Legionnaires' disease. Legionella growth can be controlled via temperature control as the bacteria is alive and active only between 20°C and 50°C. Hence, it is essential that a risk assessment is carried out and, if risk is identified, appropriate actions are undertaken.
Are all landlords legally required to have a Legionella Risk Assessment?
Yes, under the Section 4(2) of The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, the person in control of premises (in this case the landlord) is required to ensure that the risk of Legionella exposure to the tenants, residents and visitors is assessed and, if required, apply appropriate control measures.
What measures can a landlord take to reduce Legionella growth?
There are multiple ways in which a landlord can control Legionella growth in the water systems of the property. Most common ones are:
- Removal of redundant pipework.
- For any fitted water tank, ensure that the lid is fitted properly and keep a check on rust growth in the tank.
- If a property has been unoccupied for a long time, make sure that all the stagnant water is flushed out of the system by running each outlet (taps, showers, etc) for 2-3 minutes.
Who can produce a Legionella Risk Assessment?
For individual properties, any competent person can carry out Legionella Risk Assessment, but a comprehensive risk assessment outsourced to a professional might be required in large blocks of flats where there is a specific water system(s) in place.
At CPS Homes, we recommend that a Legionella Risk Assessment is conducted and recorded by a professional, irrespective of the type of system and property.
How often do landlords need to review the Legionella Risk Assessment?
There is no law that specifies an exact review period for the Legionella Risk Assessment, but it should be reviewed regularly and especially if there has been a change. The assessor may specify a ‘next review date’ period within their assessment.
What are the consequences for not having a Legionella Risk Assessment?
Landlords are legally required to ensure that their property is maintained and inspected so that occupiers are exposed to limited-to-no risk. As such, if a Legionella Risk Assessment is not on file and there was to be an outbreak of Legionella in the property, the landlord may face prosecution for exposing occupiers to risk that could have otherwise been avoided.
How much does a Legionella Risk Assessment cost?
At CPS Homes, we have trusted connections with local, qualified trades who can get your report issued quickly and professionally, all for a very reasonable cost due to the amount of work we issue to them. If you are a landlord in Cardiff and want to learn more about this benefit offered exclusively to our managed clients, get in touch with us today on 02920 668585 or lettings@cpshomes.co.uk.
Disclaimer: whilst we endeavour to keep the information on this page up-to-date, legislation, British Standards and general guidance can and do change, often without prior notice. As such, CPS Homes cannot guarantee with absolute certainty that the information on this page is fully up-to-date.
