What are your obligations if you let out a property or room?

As the landlord of any property – whether you’re renting out a house or flat, renting out a room in your home, or renting out on a short-term basis, such as on Airbnb, you do have a duty of care to ensure the safety of your tenants.

When it comes to Legionella in domestic properties, the risks are low because hot water is used regularly, and cold water comes from the mains supply. Legionella bacteria thrive when water temperatures are between 20-45°C – they are dormant below 20°C and do not survive above 60°C. Most domestic water is either too cold or too hot for the bacteria.

Despite the low risks, it’s a good idea to undertake regular testing which will give you and your tenant’s peace of mind.

When to take extra precautions

If your property has not been occupied for a while, especially in the summer months, there is an increased risk of the legionella bacteria getting the opportunity to establish itself. To reduce the risks, make sure you flush out the system before new tenants move in.

Other precautions include making sure that the hot water temperature is above 60oC, and that any water tanks in the property are covered securely to prevent debris from getting in.

What your tenants can do

Tenants also have a responsibility for their own safety when it comes to the Legionella bacteria. If there are any problems with the hot water system, they need to contact you as soon as possible. They also need to clean the showerhead on a regular basis, even if they use it every day, to prevent limescale build up and keep the water flowing – this leaves less opportunity for the bacteria to take hold.

For more information about the responsibilities of both landlords and tenants when it comes to Legionnaires’ disease, visit the Health & Safety Executive’s website. If you would like to do a legionella test on your property/properties, contact us to find out more.