What is Legionnaires disease?

(Landlords are under a duty to ensure that the risk of exposure to tenants, residents and visitors by Legionella is properly assessed and controlled.)

For most residential settings the risk assessment may well show the risks are low so long as simple control measures are put in place. This will apply to houses or flats with small domestic type water systems where the water turnover is high. Provided the risk assessment shows that the risks are insignificant and the control measures are being properly managed no further action would be necessary. It is important, however, to keep the assessment under review periodically in case anything changes to the system.

The legal requirement for conducting a legionella risk assessment is defined under the following legislation:

• The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
• Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
• Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1999 (COSHH
• The bacterium Legionella pneumophila and related bacteria are common in natural water sources such as rivers, lakes and reservoirs, but usually in low numbers. They will also be found in purpose-built water systems such as cooling towers, evaporative condensers, hot and cold water systems within domestic properties and spa pools.
• Louvain Properties have their own qualified person to complete the risk assessments on the Landlord’s behalf.