The UK landlords are now faced with a dilemma as to whether they should agree or not on regulating and evaluating the risks of exposure to Legionella bacteria of their tenants as advised by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). According to previous report by propertywire.com, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is using a revised L8 ACOP suggests that there is a new legislation to be imposed on landlords to make sure that they will be responsible in controlling Legionella bacteria on their rented properties.
However, this has been a misinterpretation of the information. As rla.org.uk reported, "There is no changes in the legislation of which can cause unwarranted financial costs from being charged with acquiring Legionella testing and certificate." Needless to say, the landlords have a social and legal duty to control or assess Legionella bacteria on their rented properties, but they are not required to provide a document for legionnaires testing.
Landlords can check the HSE guidelines which are available in HSE website. Practically, the guidelines provide proper methods on how to manage and regulate legionelle bacteria in the properties. Controlling the bacteria is as simple as making sure that the cold water tanks are fitted with tight lids, so that it won't allow debris particles to get into the water system. It is also important for the tenants to have proper sanitation. Methods of insuring proper sanitation are cleaning the shower heads, and not to alter temperature setting on the Calorifier. Also, informing the landlords of the broken water system, such as water is not heated. The most important point of the HSE guidelines is to make sure that water will not become stale inside the water system as stated in a report by propertywire.com. For preventive measures, the water flow on outlets should be maintained at least once a week to control water stagnation.
