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Legionnaires Check for Landlords, Wirral & Liverpool

Landlords are legally required to carry out an annual Legionnaires ‘risk assessment’ for each property in their portfolio. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued an Approved Code of Practice dealing with the issue of Legionnaires. Landlords who ignore these guidelines may be prosecuted as a result.

Ensure you do not fall fowl of your legal responsibilities by instructing Gas Serve NW as you competent Legionnaires ‘responsible person’. This service is perfectly combined with our gas safety certificate service.

About legionnaires disease

Legionnaires is similar to pneumonia in that it is characterised by an acute or chronic inflammation of the lungs. Legionnaires is caused by a bacteria known as ‘legionella pneumophila’. This bacteria resides in rivers and lakes across the United Kingdom. Thankfully this bacteria is killed by the time water reaches your property. However water in your home may attract the bacteria during the summer when temperatures are warm enough for the bacteria to grow.

Legionnaires risk factors

If your tenant stores or re-circulates water in his or her rented home then the odds of catching Legionnaires disease are considerably increased. Properties with a water expansion tank located in the loft are likewise at an increased risk of experiencing bacteria growth, particularly when this water has remained stagnant for long periods of time.

What are my legal responsibilities?

The law requires a 'responsible person' to carry out a fully Legionnaires risk assessment. This person is either the landlord or his or her appointed agent. The simplest way to comply with the law is to appoint a competent Legionnaires inspector. Gas Serve NW offers a Legionnaires risk assessment service to landlords operating in the Wirral and Cheshire region. Our inspector visits your property and carries out a full Legionnaires risk assessment, focusing on each property’s watering system.

What happens during our inspection

Our inspector determines whether the conditions that promote the growth of the legionella bacteria are present. If water is stored at temperatures between 20C & 45C then this indicates a high risk of bacteria growth. If water has been stagnant for some time we may need to carry out further tests. If your tenants are over the age of 50 or suffer health problems then these people are at an increased risk of contracting the disease.

Our inspection culminates in a detailed report outlining any concerns our inspector may have spotted during the risk assessment. If we feel your water system does indeed expose your tenant to a legionella risk, we will present to you possible corrective action required to reduce these risks.

How often must I carry out this risk assessment?

The HSE requires a Legionnaires risk assessment to be carried out on an annual basis. Landlords must retain documents relating to this risk assessment for at least five years. We also recommend you renew this risk assessment between tenants, particularly when the home's watering system has not been used for a period of 28 days or longer.

What happens if bacteria growth is suspected?

If we suspect your property is subject to bacteria growth we will initiate a number of steps to neutralise the bacteria upon consultation with the agent or landlord.

Call 0151 512 1234 today for an appointment

We offer our Legionnaires risk assessment service to businesses, landlords and private homeowners in the Wirral and Cheshire area. Call us today on 0151 512 1234 or complete the enquiry form.