At GTP Holdings we provide domestic and commercial Legionella Risk Assesments.

If you rent out a property, you have legal responsibilities to ensure you conduct your undertaking in such a way that your tenant(s) are not exposed to health and safety risks.

Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia caused by the inhalation of small droplets of contaminated water containing Legionella. All man-made hot and cold water systems are likely to provide an environment where Legionella can grow.

It is a legal duty to carry out an assessment to identify and assess whether there is a risk posed by exposure to legionella from the hot and cold water system or any work associated with it.

The application of health and safety law to landlords of domestic rental properties is that whilst there is a duty to assess the risk from exposure to Legionella, this does not require an in-depth, detailed assessment. The risks from hot and cold water systems in most residential settings are generally considered to be low owing to regular water usage and turnover. A typical ‘low risk’ example may be found in a small building (eg housing unit) with small domestic-type water systems, where daily water usage is inevitable and sufficient to turn over the entire system; where cold water is directly from a wholesome mains supply (no stored water tanks); where hot water is fed from instantaneous heaters or low volume water heaters (supplying outlets at 50 °C); and where the only outlets are toilets and wash hand basins.

The outcome of a legionella risk assessment by GTP Holdings will most likely show that there are no high risks, that the property is being properly managed and no further action is needed. It is important to review the assessment in case anything changes in the system.

The HSE guidance document HSG 274 is enforceable under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 and COSHH Regulations 2002 (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health).