The RLA has released some important information for landlords to remind them of their legal obligations if they are responsible for properties fitted with water installations and storage systems.
Legionnaires Disease is very serious, and although it is relatively rare, the disease can and does kill some of those affected each year. The Legionnaires Disease bacteria are spread in water droplets and cases of infection normally arise from inhalation of bacteria laden water droplets in the air.
Why do landlords need to be concerned?
If any of your properties have a water system, you need to make a risk assessment as to whether your tenants and their visitors are at risk of infection from Legionnaires Disease. The risk of contamination is normally greater in larger premises, but smaller systems can be vulnerable if the right conditions for Legionella bacterial growth are present—particularly if water is stored in the system and pipe work is old, rusty, or contains organic matter; even showerheads can harbour Legionella bacteria! It is also worth remembering that older people, children and anyone with a weakened immune system are more vulnerable to infection.
If you are concerned, pay a visit to the HSE website and find out how to test for the presence of Legionella bacterium. Should testing indicate you might have a problem, you will need to make changes to the water system to eliminate the risk. And if you ignore the risk and someone at the property becomes infected as a result of your negligence, you can be prosecuted even if the infection is very minor.
