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.

Our responsibilities 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.

Your responsibilities as a tenant

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 notice any issues with hot water (e.g. cloudy water, low temperature, rust), please report it straight away.

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