Oxfordshire landlords warned to protect against Legionella

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.