Legionella Testing for Landlords or Property Management Companies

What is Legionnaire’s Disease?

A potentially fatal form of bacterial pneumonia that is common in natural water sources

Who is at risk?

• Everyone is susceptible to infection

the risk increases with age but some people are at higher risk including:

• People over 45 years of age
• Smokers and heavy drinkers
• People suffering from chronic respiratory or kidney disease
• Anyone with an impaired immune system

Your responsibilities

As a Landlord or Lettings Property Managers you have a responsibility to ensure Care Quality Commission (CQC*) compliance. (*Care Inspectorate in Scotland, CSSIW in Wales.)

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance states that if you are a landlord you must understand the health risks associated with Legionella and control any risks. You must understand how to:

• Identify and assess sources of risk
• Manage any risks
• Prevent or control any risks
• Keep and maintain appropriate records
• Carry out any other duties care including regular water testing

Risk assessment  - Specific guidance for Landlords

Regularly reviewing your risk assessment and water testing (especially if there have been changes to the water system or you have hot water outlets which are used infrequently) will ensure that you can take any necessary action in a timely way.

Many of your tenant’s may fall into the ‘higher risk’ category.

In a let properties the main route of transmission of the Legionella bacteria is via infrequently used hot water outlets, particularly if the property is left empty between tenants for long periods of time.

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