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Do I need a legionella risk assessment as a landlord?
Last verified 23 October 2026
Yes. In Great Britain, landlords have a legal duty to assess the risk from legionella in the water systems of their rented homes. HSE says most landlords can do this themselves, without any professional training.
The assessment does not need to be in depth. For most homes, it means looking at how hot and cold water is stored and used, and whether any parts let water sit unused. HSE says testing or sampling is not usually required for domestic hot and cold water systems. If you do not feel able to do the assessment, you can arrange for someone else to do it.
Simple controls cover most risks: keep hot water hot, cold water cold, and keep it moving. Flush the system before a new letting, especially after the property has been empty, and keep cold water tanks covered. Landlords are not necessarily required to record the findings, but a dated record shows what you checked and when.
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