If you rent out a property, you have a responsibility to consider the risk of Legionella bacteria in the water system and ensure it is properly managed to help keep your tenants safe.

CTR Plumbing & Heating is fully qualified to carry out domestic Legionella Risk Assessments across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire. We help landlords demonstrate that risks have been considered and controlled.

Legionella is a type of bacteria found naturally in water sources such as rivers and lakes, where it rarely presents a risk.

Problems can occur in man-made hot and cold water systems if conditions allow the bacteria to multiply. For example, where water is stored, stagnates, or remains within certain temperature ranges.

The species most often associated with illness is Legionella pneumophila.

Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially serious form of pneumonia caused by inhaling tiny water droplets contaminated with Legionella bacteria.

Although illness is uncommon, it can be severe. People most at risk include:

• People over 45
• Smokers
• Those with weakened immune systems
• Individuals with chronic lung, heart, or kidney conditions

Most healthy people exposed to low levels of Legionella do not become ill. However, landlords are expected to assess and manage any foreseeable risk to protect tenants.

Guidance from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) makes it clear that landlords must consider the risk from Legionella as part of their duty to maintain a safe property.

In most domestic properties, the risk is low. Nevertheless, landlords are still expected to assess the risk and ensure it is properly managed.

A professional Legionella Risk Assessment can help demonstrate that risks have been properly considered.

It can be.

Owner-occupied homes usually have water in regular use, which helps prevent stagnation.

Rental properties may carry additional risk factors, such as:

• Periods of vacancy between tenancies
• Outlets that are infrequently used
• Stored water (e.g. loft tanks or cylinders)
• Pipework containing “dead legs” (unused sections)
• Poorly maintained systems

For Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), additional considerations may apply due to multiple outlets and higher occupancy levels.

There isn’t a fixed checklist for a domestic assessment. The guidance requires that assessments are suitable, sufficient, and proportionate to the property and water system.

During an assessment, we may:

• Identify the type of hot and cold water systems installed
• Assess whether water is stored or supplied directly (e.g. combi boilers)
• Inspect accessible cold water storage tanks (where present)
• Check temperature settings and condition of hot water cylinders (if applicable)
• Take representative water temperature readings
• Identify potential stagnation risks or unused pipework (“dead legs”)
• Check for visible scale, corrosion, or debris
• Review the general condition of accessible parts of the system

After the assessment, you’ll receive:

• A written report outlining our findings
• A risk rating based on the current system
• Practical recommendations where appropriate
• Guidance on ongoing management and review

If any remedial plumbing work is recommended, we’ll provide a separate quote.

The HSE doesn’t set a strict expiry, but it’s good practice to review:

• Regularly (usually every 1–2 years)
• When there’s a change of tenancy
• If the water system is altered
• If the property has been vacant for a long period
• If there is reason to believe the level of risk has changed

Keeping the assessment up-to-date helps landlords demonstrate ongoing attention to Legionella risk management.

We work on domestic water systems day in, day out. We, therefore, understand how different plumbing setups influence Legionella risk.

If you’re a landlord with a rental property in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, or surrounding areas, get in touch.

We’ll help you assess the risk of Legionella in your property and provide guidance to ensure it’s properly managed.