Legionella Risk Assessments for Edinburgh landlords

Are you a landlord in Edinburgh? Understand your legal responsibilities regarding Legionella risk assessments and find out how our plumbing experts can help you stay compliant while safeguarding your tenants.

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What is a Legionella Risk Assessment?

Often called an ‘LRA test’ or an ‘LRA inspection’, a Legionella Risk Assessment identifies potential risks associated with Legionella bacteria in your property’s plumbing system. It checks over areas like water storage tanks, pipework, and outlet temperatures to determine the likelihood of bacterial growth and provide recommendations for prevention.

Why are Legionella Risk Assessments important?

As a landlord in Edinburgh, you are legally required under the Repairing Standard to ensure that the plumbing systems in your properties are safe, well-maintained, and free from risks such as Legionella bacteria to protect tenant wellbeing.

Legionella bacteria can thrive in water systems, particularly in properties with stagnant water or irregularly used outlets. If left unchecked, they can cause Legionnaires’ disease, a serious respiratory illness. Regular risk assessments protect tenants and help landlords stay compliant with health and safety regulations.

Legionella Risk Assessments for Landlords

In Edinburgh, and under the updated Repairing Standard, landlords are legally obligated to carry out Legionella Risk Assessments to ensure their properties remain safe for tenants. These assessments are designed to identify potential risks in the properties plumbing and implement measures to prevent contamination, safeguarding your tenants health.

While there is no fixed legislation specifying how often a Legionella risk assessment (LRA) should be conducted, landlords must act responsibly to meet their legal obligations. After the initial assessment, it is strongly recommended to review and update the LRA every 12 months or sooner if there are significant changes to the plumbing system.

Ensuring water safety doesn’t stop at Legionella risk assessments. Landlords should also consider lead testing to identify and mitigate potential lead contamination in your properties water supply.

Staying compliant helps you meet your legal responsibilities and demonstrates your commitment to maintaining a safe and habitable environment for those living or working in your properties.

Legally your water supply in Edinburgh must be tested for legionella and lead.

Your responsibilities under the Repairing Standard

Under Scotland’s Repairing Standard, landlords must ensure their properties are safe and habitable, which includes maintaining water systems free from Legionella risks.

Landlords are required to:

Carry out 12-monthly Legionella risk assessments to maintain compliance and safety.
Regularly review and update all landlord safety certifications, including gas safety checks and PAT testing. Why not combine your safety certifications with an annual boiler service to ensure everything is running efficiently and reduce the likelihood of future repairs. Remember! don’t forget about your gas fire safety certification as its often missed by landlords.
Address any risks identified during safety assessments promptly to avoid fines or legal issues arising.

Legionella Risk Assessments in Edinburgh from £25.

Why not ask us to carry out your Lead Water Testing, PAT Testing or even a Gas Safety Inspection at the same time as your Legionella Risk Assessment? Get in touch or call us on 0131 258 0848.

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Testing cold water temperature in an Edinburgh property during legionella test.

Doing these simple things, along with professional risk assessments, helps keep your property safe and compliant. Why not consider adding these top tips to your tenancy pack.

Top Tips for minimising Legionella risks

As a landlord, taking small preventative measures can significantly reduce the risk of Legionella bacteria developing in your property’s water systems. Here are some practical tips you can advise your tenants:

Flush Unused outlets Regularly
Run water through taps, showers, and other outlets that are not frequently used to prevent stagnation.
Clean Shower Heads and Taps
Regularly clean and disinfect shower heads and taps to prevent the build-up of biofilm and bacteria.
Maintain Hot and Cold Water Temperatures
Ensure hot water is stored at a minimum of 60°C and cold water is kept below 20°C. If unsure, seek advice from a water safe plumber.
Inspect Water Storage Tanks
Check tanks for cleanliness, ensure they are securely covered, and repair any signs of corrosion or leaks.
Use the System Regularly
Encourage tenants to run taps and showers periodically if they are away for an extended period to keep the system active.

Legionella risk assessment done. Good communication, appointment timing perfect. Assessment emailed in time stated.

Allan Payne | Landlord | City Centre Edinburgh

What you can expect from a Legionella Risk Assessment

Initial discussion
We start by discussing your property’s water system to understand its layout and potential risk areas.
On-Site Inspection
Our qualified assessors inspect your property’s water systems, focusing on high-risk factors like stagnant water and temperature irregularities.
Detailed Report
You’ll receive a clear and actionable report with recommendations for managing and mitigating identified risks.
Ongoing Support
We provide guidance on implementing recommended measures and can help schedule your next 12-monthly legionella review assessment.

Ensuring water safety with a Legionella Risk Assessment (LRA).

Our Landlord Promise

As a landlord, your time is precious, which is why we’ve created our Landlord Promise to make managing safety certification easier. We’ll remind you when your safety certificates like your Legionella Risk Assessment or Gas Safety Record are due and arrange appointments to keep everything up to date. This allows you to focus on managing your properties while we ensure everything is safe and compliant for you and your tenants.

We offer a reliable and efficient service that works around your schedule. With one engineer visit, we can complete a range of landlord safety certifications, saving you time and hassle. Our services include Legionella risk assessments, boiler servicing, gas appliance safety checks, PAT testing, and more.

Why Landlords Choose Us

WaterSafe and SNIPEF Accredited Plumbers
Our accreditations reflect our commitment to delivering the highest standards in plumbing, water safety, and compliance.
Qualified Engineers Fully certified and experienced in delivering landlord safety checks.
Quick Turnaround We can schedule assessments promptly and provide reports in a timely manner.
Flexible Appointments Arranged to suit you and your tenants’ schedules.

Top Tip: Regularly combine your Legionella risk assessment with other essential checks like boiler servicing or PAT testing to stay ahead of your compliance needs.

With our Landlord Promise, you can be confident that your properties are always safe, compliant, and well maintained.

1. How often should Legionella risk assessments be carried out?

Landlords are advised to conduct Legionella risk assessments at least every 12 months or whenever significant changes are made to the water system. Great way is just to carry out a 12 monthly review alongside your other landlord safety certification.

3. Do I need a Legionella risk assessment for a small rental property?

Yes, all rental properties with water systems, regardless of size, require a risk assessment under health and safety regulations.

4. What is included in a Legionella risk assessment?

An assessment includes inspecting water storage, pipework, and outlet temperatures, identifying potential risks, and providing recommendations within A photographic report.