Water safety · landlords and HMOs

Legionella Risk Assessments Across England

Q: How often should a Legionella risk assessment be reviewed?

There is no universal certificate expiry date. Review the assessment when there is reason to think it is no longer valid, including changes to the water system, property use or occupants at greater risk.

Property-specific water-system risk assessments for landlords, HMOs, supported accommodation and managed premises, with clear findings and practical actions.

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A property-specific review

Understand the water system and identify foreseeable risks

The assessment considers how water is stored, heated, distributed and used. It records conditions that may encourage stagnation or bacterial growth and sets out proportionate control actions for the person responsible for the property.

Landlords

Review straightforward domestic hot and cold water systems, identify avoidable risks and keep a clear record of the assessment and actions.

HMOs and portfolios

Assess more complex occupation and repeated property types while keeping each building’s water-system findings separate and traceable.

Managed accommodation

Consider system complexity, outlet use and whether occupants may be more susceptible, then identify the appropriate management response.

Assessment process

From system inspection to an action plan

Gather information

Review occupancy, previous records, known issues and changes to the water system.

Inspect the system

Trace accessible hot and cold water arrangements, storage, outlets and relevant risk factors.

Record findings

Document the system, observations, measured information and the basis of the risk judgement.

Set out actions

Prioritise practical control, maintenance or further specialist steps where appropriate.

What the review may cover

Common water-system risk factors

The scope depends on the property, but a residential assessment may consider:

Cold-water storage condition, access, insulation and turnover.
Hot-water generation, storage and distribution temperatures.
Infrequently used outlets, capped pipework, dead ends or suspected dead legs.
Showers, spray outlets, flexible hoses and other aerosol-producing fittings.
Pipework exposed to heat gain or poor circulation.
Vacant periods, seasonal use and arrangements for flushing little-used outlets.
Occupancy and whether anyone may be particularly susceptible.
Existing maintenance, monitoring and record-keeping arrangements.

A risk assessment is not the same as a water sample and does not remove the duty holder’s ongoing responsibility to manage the system and complete appropriate actions.

Common questions

Legionella assessment FAQs

Do landlords need to assess Legionella risk?

People who provide residential accommodation or control its water systems must assess and manage reasonably foreseeable exposure risk. The approach should be proportionate to the individual property and system.

Does every property need water sampling?

No. Sampling is not automatically required for every straightforward domestic property. The need for testing should follow the risk assessment and the nature of the system.

How often should the assessment be reviewed?

There is no universal certificate expiry date. Review it when there is reason to think it is no longer valid, including changes to the system, property use, management arrangements or occupants at greater risk.

Does the assessor complete remedial plumbing work?

The assessment identifies and prioritises actions. Any plumbing, disinfection, sampling or specialist water-treatment work should be agreed separately with a competent provider where needed.

What access is required?

Access may be needed to the boiler or water heater, cylinders, accessible storage tanks, representative outlets, showers and relevant service areas. Provide previous records and keys where possible.

Related services

Support for rental and managed property

Need a landlord or HMO assessment?

Send the property address, occupancy and water-system details.

Request an assessment quote

Elmhurst Energy Approved Legionella Risk Assessor

Approved professional

Legionella risk assessment credentials

Approved assessor credentials supporting clear, property-specific water-safety risk assessments for landlords, HMOs and managed property.