Can landlords carry out legionella checks themselves?

In simple, low-risk domestic properties some landlords may choose to complete a basic assessment themselves, but many prefer to use a competent water hygiene specialist to ensure nothing is missed and to have independent evidence of compliance.

Do landlords need a legionella certificate?

There is no specific legal requirement for a formal legionella certificate. What matters is that an appropriate legionella risk assessment for landlords has been completed and reasonable control measures are in place, backed up by clear records.

Legionella Risk Assessment for Landlords

Q: What is a landlord legionella risk assessment?

A landlord legionella risk assessment is a structured review of a rental property’s water systems and management arrangements to identify where Legionella bacteria could grow and what needs to be done to control the risk.

Why Landlords Need Legionella Risk Assessments

As a landlord, you have a legal duty to make sure your rental properties are safe for tenants and that includes managing the risk of Legionnaires’ disease. Our specialist landlord legionella risk assessment service helps you stay compliant, protect your tenants and avoid costly problems with your water systems.

Legionella bacteria can grow in domestic hot and cold water systems, especially where water is stored, stagnant or not kept at the correct temperatures. If tiny droplets are inhaled (for example from showers or spray taps), they can cause Legionnaires’ disease – a potentially serious form of pneumonia.

Health and Safety legislation requires landlords to assess and control the risk of exposure to Legionella in any property they rent out. A proportionate legionella risk assessment for landlords is the easiest way to demonstrate that you understand the risks in your properties and have sensible control measures in place.

At Acquiesce Environmental Compliance Ltd, we carry out landlord-friendly legionella checks across the UK, providing clear, practical advice that’s easy to follow.

Why Landlords Need Legionella Risk Assessments

At Acquiesce Environmental Compliance Ltd, we carry out landlord-friendly legionella checks across the UK, providing clear, practical advice that’s easy to follow.

Is a Legionella Risk Assessment Mandatory for Landlords?

In simple terms, yes – a legionella risk assessment is mandatory for landlords.

UK health and safety law requires anyone in control of premises, including landlords and managing agents, to identify and assess the risk from Legionella bacteria in their water systems and put suitable controls in place.

However, the law is also clear that this should be practical and proportionate. In many single lets or small flats, the risks will be low if the system is simple and used regularly.

A straightforward legionnaires risk assessment for landlords is often enough to show that the risks have been considered and are being managed.

Key legislation that affects landlords

Health and Safety at Work etc. Act (HSWA)
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH)
HSE Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) L8 – Legionnaires’ disease
HSG274 guidance for hot and cold water systems

Our consultants keep up to date with current legislation and guidance, so your legionella checks for landlords are always aligned with best practice.

What Is a Landlord Legionella Risk Assessment?

A landlord legionella risk assessment is a structured review of your property’s water systems and management arrangements. The aim is to identify where Legionella bacteria could grow and what needs to be done to control the risk.

Our assessment typically includes:

Review of the property type, occupancy and tenant profile (for example, any higher-risk or vulnerable tenants).
Survey of hot and cold water systems – boilers, cylinders, cold water storage tanks and pipework layouts.
Inspection of outlets such as taps, showers, outside taps, thermostatic mixer valves and rarely used outlets.
Temperature checks and visual condition of key components.
Identification of risk factors such as dead legs, redundant pipework, low flow, scaling or debris.
Review of current management controls, flushing regimes and any existing records.
A clear written report with risk ratings and practical recommendations.

The end result is a concise, easy-to-understand report that you can use as evidence of your legionnaires checks for landlords should a regulator, letting agent or insurance company ask for it.

When Do Landlords Need More Detailed Legionella Checks?

Not all rental properties carry the same level of risk. We tailor each legionella risk assessment for landlords to the type of building and the water systems in place.

Examples of higher-risk rental properties include:

Houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) and multi-block flats with complex communal systems.
Sheltered housing, care settings or properties with more vulnerable tenants.
Buildings with large or poorly insulated cold water storage tanks.
Properties with hot water cylinders that do not reliably reach safe temperatures.
Rental properties where showers, spa baths or other aerosol-producing outlets are installed.
Properties that are vacant or partially occupied for long periods, leading to stagnant pipework.

If you’re unsure how high the risk is in your portfolio, we can prioritise sites and provide a sensible plan for landlord legionella checks that fits your budget.

Landlord Responsibilities vs Our Responsibilities

Our role is to provide a competent, independent legionella risk assessment for landlords and to give you clear recommendations. As the landlord or managing agent, you remain responsible for putting those recommendations into practice and keeping the risk under control between assessments.

What landlords are usually responsible for

Appointing a competent person or company to complete the assessment.
Ensuring any remedial plumbing or system changes identified are carried out.
Putting simple control measures in place (for example, regular flushing of rarely used outlets).
Keeping basic records of assessments, remedial work and ongoing checks.
Informing tenants about any simple steps they should take (e.g. flushing showers after periods of non-use).

What Acquiesce will do for you

Provide a proportionate legionnaires risk assessment for landlords tailored to your properties.
Produce clear, jargon-free reports with prioritised actions.
Advise on cost-effective remedial works and further legionella checks for landlords if required.
Offer ongoing support, water monitoring and sampling where needed.
Coordinate visits directly with tenants or managing agents to minimise disruption and missed appointments.

Why Choose Acquiesce for Landlord Legionella Risk Assessments?

Acquiesce Environmental Compliance Ltd is a specialist water hygiene and legionella control company, delivering services nationwide from our base in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire. Our team has decades of combined experience in legionella risk assessments, monitoring, remedial works and water hygiene support for
landlords, housing providers and managing agents across the UK.

Experienced, qualified risk assessors focused on practical, real-world solutions.
Members of relevant industry bodies and committed to current UK guidance and standards.
Clear, fixed-price quotations with no hidden extras.
Professional but friendly service – we’re always just a phone call or email away.

We already work with private landlords, letting agents, housing associations and corporate property owners. Whether you have one rental property or a large portfolio, we can help you stay compliant.

Why Choose Acquiesce for Landlord Legionella Risk Assessments?

Experienced, qualified risk assessors focused on practical, real-world solutions.
Members of relevant industry bodies and committed to current UK guidance and standards.
Clear, fixed-price quotations with no hidden extras.
Professional but friendly service – we’re always just a phone call or email away.

We already work with private landlords, letting agents, housing associations and corporate property owners. Whether you have one rental property or a large portfolio, we can help you stay compliant.

How Often Should Landlords Review Their Legionella Risk Assessment?

There is no single fixed interval in law, but best practice is to review your landlord legionella risk assessment:

At least every couple of years as a general rule of thumb.
Whenever there is a significant change in the building, water system or occupancy.
When properties become vacant for long periods, or usage patterns change.
If there is any evidence that existing controls are not working as intended.

For many landlords, a simple reassessment at change of tenancy or at defined intervals across a portfolio is a sensible, defensible approach.

Frequently Asked Questions for Landlords

Is a legionella risk assessment mandatory for landlords?

Yes. Landlords have a legal duty to assess and control the risk from Legionella bacteria in any property they rent out. The level of detail required will depend on the complexity of the water system and the type of tenants, but some form of risk assessment is always required.

Can I do my own legionella risk assessment as a landlord?

In very simple, low-risk properties, some landlords complete a basic assessment themselves using credible guidance. However, many prefer to use a competent water hygiene specialist to ensure nothing is missed and to have independent evidence of their legionnaires checks for landlords.

This is especially important if you manage multiple properties or higher-risk sites.

Do I need a legionella test certificate for my rental property?

There is no specific legal requirement for a “legionella certificate” in the same way as a gas safety record. What matters is that you have carried out an appropriate assessment and have reasonable control measures in place. Our reports clearly document your landlord legionella risk assessment and can be used as evidence if needed.

How much does a legionella risk assessment for landlords cost?

Costs depend on the size and type of property, the number of outlets and the complexity of the water system. Single lets are usually straightforward and inexpensive to assess, while HMOs or large blocks may require more time on site. Check out our how much does a legionella risk assessment cost page or contact us for a free, no-obligation quotation.

What simple legionella checks can landlords do between assessments?

Between formal assessments, landlords can help keep risk low by ensuring hot water is stored at the correct temperature, checking cold water tanks have secure lids, flushing little-used outlets, arranging tenant guidance on cleaning shower heads, and reporting any faults promptly.

Book Your Landlord Legionella Risk Assessment

Ready to arrange legionella checks for landlords or review your current arrangements?

Our team will guide you through the process, agree a convenient time to visit your properties and provide a clear, actionable report.

Find out more about our Legionella Risk Assessments Request a Landlord Quote

Acquiesce Environmental Compliance Ltd

4.9

Landlords Legionella Risk Assessments Across the UK

With head offices in Bromsgrove in Worcestershire, Acquiesce Environmental Compliance Ltd has full coverage across the UK and have carried out Legionella Risk Assessments in:

What our clients say:

I would just like to say how happy we are with the service we get from Acquiesce – they Monitor our water system on a monthly basis they do the risk assessment when needed. Always punctual polite and if ever I need them they are at the end of the phone they always email me to see if the date and the time is convenient nothing is too much of a problem to sort out for us

Jane – St James’ Catholic Primary School , Birmingham

Thanks for the excellent services provided to HR Employment Bureau Ltd in terms of water compliance services.

We have used Acquiesce Environmental Compliance Ltd to ensure that we were compliant in all aspects of our water supply. The service that we received from Callum and the team was second to none. Acquiesce had been recommended to me and I can see why. They dealt with my initial call in a very professional manner and arranged to visit our offices to conduct an initial survey.

We found their rates very competitive, which saved us significant expenditure on this type of service.

I would have no hesitation recommending Acquiesce Environmental Compliance, to any business looking for a smooth, affordable & satisfying solution to their current needs.

Kevin McNamara
Managing Director – HR Employment Bureau – WikiTravel

We have been using Acquiesce Environmental Compliance to carry out our Legionella Risk Assessments, install Carbon Monoxide Alarms and Smoke Alarms to our rental properties. They have been brilliant, contacting the tenants and liaising with them to carry out the appointments (often at unsociable hours).