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 (...