What Every Landlord Needs to Know About Legionella Compliance

As a landlord, ensuring the safety and well-being of your tenants is not just a responsibility—it’s a legal obligation. One critical aspect of this duty is Legionella compliance. This refers to taking appropriate steps to assess and manage the risks posed by Legionella bacteria in the water systems of your rental properties. Failure to do so can result in serious health hazards, including the potentially deadly Legionnaires’ disease, as well as legal repercussions for non-compliance. Here’s what every landlord needs to know to stay compliant and protect both tenants and their property investment.

What Is Legionella and Why Should Landlords Care?

Legionella bacteria are commonly found in water and can thrive in man-made water systems, especially in stagnant or warm water environments like plumbing systems, cooling towers, and water storage tanks. If inhaled in water droplets, these bacteria can cause Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of pneumonia that can be fatal, especially to the elderly or those with weakened immune systems.

For landlords, this presents a clear duty of care to ensure that their properties are safe and free from Legionella contamination.

Legal Obligations for Landlords

In the UK, landlords are legally required to manage the risk of Legionella in rental properties under the following regulations:

1. Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
   As a landlord, you have a responsibility to ensure that the health and safety of your tenants are not at risk due to the presence of Legionella bacteria in the water systems.
2. The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) 2002
   These regulations mandate that landlords must control substances, such as Legionella, that pose risks to tenants’ health.
3. Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) L8
   ACOP L8 specifically deals with the control of Legionella bacteria in water systems, offering landlords guidance on how to conduct risk assessments and implement control measures.

Failure to comply with these regulations could result in serious consequences, including substantial fines, legal action, and reputational damage.

Conducting a Legionella Risk Assessment

A Legionella risk assessment is an essential part of compliance. Landlords are required to:

• Identify potential risks: Determine if the water systems in your property could allow Legionella to grow, such as in stagnant water, poorly maintained systems, or areas where water temperatures are in the risk range (20-45°C).
• Implement control measures: These may include flushing unused water systems, cleaning water tanks, ensuring water heaters are functioning correctly, and avoiding stagnant water by ensuring regular water flow.
• Monitor and maintain water systems: Regular checks and maintenance should be scheduled to ensure that water systems remain safe and free from contamination.
• Keep records: Document all risk assessments, control measures, and any maintenance work carried out to ensure compliance and provide evidence if required.

Common Legionella Risks in Rental Properties

Some properties are more susceptible to Legionella growth than others. Here are some common risk areas:

• Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs)
  Shared facilities such as bathrooms and kitchens can increase the risk of Legionella if the water systems are not properly maintained.
• Properties with infrequent water use
  In rental properties where tenants may be away for extended periods, water stagnation in pipes can encourage the growth of Legionella.
• Older buildings with outdated plumbing systems
  Older properties with outdated water systems are more likely to harbour bacteria if not properly maintained.

How Landlords Can Stay Compliant

To remain compliant with Legionella regulations, landlords should follow these best practices:

• Appoint a competent person: Either undertake the training yourself or hire a qualified specialist like H2O Comply to carry out Legionella risk assessments and ensure proper management of your water systems.
• Review regularly: Conduct risk assessments at least once a year or when significant changes are made to the water system, such as major repairs or renovations.
• Educate tenants: Provide tenants with clear instructions on preventing Legionella, such as regularly using taps and showers to prevent stagnant water and reporting any issues with the water system promptly.

How H2O Comply Can Help with Legionella Compliance

H2O Comply offers expert Legionella risk assessments and ongoing compliance support to landlords, helping ensure that your properties are safe and compliant with UK regulations. With a team of certified professionals, H2O Comply can assess your water systems, identify any risks, and implement effective control measures. They also provide ongoing maintenance plans to ensure your property remains protected from Legionella risks, giving you peace of mind and protecting your tenants’ health.

Don’t wait until it’s too late—contact H2O Comply today to schedule your Legionella risk assessment and stay compliant.