Water Safety & Legionella

Legionella bacteria can grow in water systems where water is not used regularly, especially if the temperature is between 20 - 45 °C. When inhaled, it can cause Legionnaires’ disease, a serious form of pneumonia.

What you can expect from us as your landlord

Under health and safety law, landlords must assess and manage sources of legionella risk. We do this through water system risk assessments where needed, particularly in homes with shared tanks or unused outlets. Most homes are low risk, especially if they receive mains-fed hot and cold water.

What we expect from tenants

Run seldom used taps and showers for 2 minutes at least weekly.

Clean showerheads and hoses every three months to remove scale and debris.

Avoid adjusting boiler or tank thermostats - these are calibrated for safety.

What to do if you notice an issue

If you experience any of the following, please report it straight away:

• You smell gas, or the gas alarm sounds.
• Electrical damage (like burn marks, buzzing sockets, flickering lights).
• Issues with hot water (e.g. cloudy water, low temperature, rust).

For emergencies outside office hours, follow the guidance on our Repairs page for out of hours emergency callouts.