Under the new Renters’ Rights Act, landlords could be fined up to £20,000 if they fail to comply with regulations or jailed if a tenant dies after contracting Legionnaires’ disease.

Legionella is a bacterium that thrives in warm water and can cause Legionnaires’ disease if inhaled through water droplets.

The illness is a serious form of pneumonia that can be life-threatening, especially for older adults or people with weakened immune systems.

Leah Stone, director of Legionella Guard, said: “Legionella is a deadly risk hiding in plain sight that too often gets overlooked.

“While many landlords receive support to manage obvious hazards like gas and fire safety, Legionella can lurk undetected in water systems and is often overlooked.

“It’s a legal duty for property owners to manage the risk and historically guidance has been vague, confusing and often ignored, while professional inspections are expensive.”

Landlords are being urged to complete annual legionella risk assessments to protect tenants and meet legal requirements.

Failure to do so is a criminal breach.

Ms Stone added: “Our new digital platform empowers landlords to take control of the risk, protecting tenants and themselves in one go.

“It is a simple solution that the sector has been crying out for.”

Legionella Guard, which has an office in Banbury, is designed to help landlords, letting agents, and housing associations carry out risk assessments cheaply and efficiently.

Created by experienced assessors with more than a decade of experience in the south of England, the digital tool allows users to become accredited assessors via a HSE complaint e-learning platform.

For £9.99 per survey, landlords can complete an assessment and securely store evidence of compliance.

Ms Stone said: “Once landlords have completed our straightforward e-learning programme they can assess the risk themselves, without having to pay large fees to third parties.

“We’ve deliberately kept the fee low to make this accessible and help UK landlords manage amid so many changes and market challenges.”

The platform is also available to letting agents, local authorities, and housing associations.

In 2024, the UK Health Security Agency reported 472 cases of legionellosis with a case fatality rate of 2.8 per cent.

Chest pain, coughing, high temperature, and shortness of breath are common symptoms.

Landlords can face prosecution under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 if someone falls seriously ill or dies because of exposure to Legionella in a rental property.

Although cases are rare and most people recover fully, the risk remains significant for those running residential properties.

On Saturday evening (May 2), smoke could be seen rising from the ground on Cowley Road outside Sundaes Gelato, opposite the O2 Academy.

Thames Valley Police cars and Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service fire engines arrived at the scene shortly after, and a cordon was put in place with tape.

Members of the public were warned to get back away from the site with flames soon “erupting” from the smoke, according to onlookers.

AS IT HAPPENED: Smoke billows from underground as police tape off Oxford street

Food had to be thrown away because of the fire. (Image: Sundaes Gelato)

Officers warned nearby residents to close their windows as the large plume of black smoke rose and spread around the surrounding streets.

The road reopened around 11pm on Saturday night, but the site of the fire remains cordoned off after the blaze was extinguished.

An employee at Sundaes Gelato, who contacted this newspaper and wished to remain anonymous, has spoken about the impact of the fire.

“It was quite a frightening and uncomfortable experience to witness,” they said.

READ MORE: Watch ‘frightening’ moment flames erupt as staff trapped inside shop

Sundaes Gelato in Oxford. (Image: Sundaes Gelato)

“[I was the] first person to notice the fire and immediately acted to get all customers safely out of the shop.

“As a result of the fire, we suffered a significant loss to the business as we had customers inside and we were open at the time of the incident.

“We had to close the shop until 4pm on Sunday as the electricity cut off our ice cream display and freezer room.

“Because of this, all products were melted and had to be thrown away, and the cleaning cost is more than £1,300.”

In March, East Hagbourne residents were notified of the closure of their local Post Office counter.

A petition organised by the shop called on the Post Office to reverse its decision.

Police and crime commissioner, Matthew Barber, and Liberal Democrat MP for Didcot and Wantage, Olly Glover, also campaigned for the counter to remain open.

In a letter to Mr Barber, Blair McDougall, minister for small business and economic transformation, announced the reversal of the decision.

READ MORE: Oxford rapist who fled to Iraq is jailed for 13 years

Campaigners with Olly Glover (Image: Olly Glover)

The MP for East Renefrewshire said:”I am pleased to confirm that Post Office Limited has now decided to advertise the opportunity to operate the East Hagbourne branch.

“I recognise how important a local Post Office can be for a community, especially for elderly and vulnerable customers.

“I am also aware of the strength of feeling locally, not least given the Post Office’s relationship with the community‑run shop and the role both play in village life.”

The community shop, run entirely by volunteers, has hosted the well-used Post Office counter for more than 20 years.

MP Olly Glover in the community shop (Image: Olly Glover)

The Post Office placed a notice on March 4 stating that, following the resignation of the postmaster, they “are not looking to replace East Hagbourne Post Office at this time”.

However, according to the Post Office’s website, it was advertising for a successful retailer in the East Hagbourne area to tender to incorporate a Post Office Local into their existing or proposed business, with a closing date of April 13.

Mr Glover had also received dozens of emails from concerned customers, volunteers, and community organisations describing how vital the Post Office and shop are to village life.