There are two options available to landlords in Chesterfield who are renting out a domestic property. These are clearly stated on the Health and Safety Executive website.
At Legionella Risk Assessment Register we are focused on giving landlords the correct options.
These options are :
USE OUR £14.95 RISK ASSESSMENT TEMPLATE (valid for 2 years)
1. You are able to produce a Legionella Risk Assessment yourself as long as you are competent to do so. Our system provides a clear step by step guide which gives you all the information you need to produce your own legionella risk assessment. When you have read the step by step guide and gathered the required information from your property you input the details into the online assessment software and your completed assessment is produced and emailed to you instantly.
Legionella Risk Assessment Step by Step Guide
This guide provides enough information to enable landlords in Chesterfield to comply with the requirement in a few easy steps.
To undertake your own legionella risk assessment read this guide before completing our the risk assessment form.
The purpose of a legionella risk assessment for properties in Chesterfield is to ensure that the landlord has taken sufficient note of the possibility of legionella forming in the water system and to give practical advice to tenants.
Most of the information you need to provide to your tenant is already contained in our prepopulated legionella risk assessment template. However there are a few practical steps you need to take to ensure that you are providing a compliant and accurate assessment.
This short guide will tell you what information you need in order to complete the process.
Step 1. The first thing you need to do is to ensure the running temperature of the cold water from all taps in the property is under 20c. If your water is fed directly to your taps/showers from the mains supply and not via a cold water storage tank then this should be perfectly acceptable. The water which is fed direct from the mains is non adjustable and should be supplied at an acceptable temperature.
If your central heating boiler is a combi boiler then is it more than likely that your cold water is fed to your taps and showers direct from the mains and not from a cold water storage tank in the loft as these are generally removed/disconnected when a combi boiler is installed.
Step 2. You should ensure that the hot water is running above 50c. Again if you have a combi boiler or electric immersion heater this would normally be set to deliver at a temperature above 50c. (if you are unsure about the temperatures you can check them with a digital thermometer which can be purchased online or from a local chemist or diy store. Run the water at the cold tap for approx 30 seconds and then measure and note the temperature. Then do the same for the hot water taps. The cold water reading should be below 20c and the hot reading should be above 50c to satisfy the requirements.
Step 3. Check to see if the water is running freely and that all taps are in good clean condition. If there is a build up of dirt, sediment or limescale etc you should advise your tenant to clean the taps thoroughly and regularly (this advice is contained in the report you will receive).
Step 4. Shower heads should always be kept clean and free running. You should advise your tenant to clean shower heads thoroughly and regularly. (this advice is also contained in the assessment).
Shower hoses can store stagnant water when not used for a period of time, this can allow legionella to multiply in the right temperature conditions. This water is sprayed directly at the user so we have to make sure that showers are cleaned and used regularly to avoid stagnant water build up in the flexible hose. This advice is included in the report for the tenant.
Step 5. Water storage tanks. Does the property have a cold water tank in the loft/airing cupboard?
When debris falls into the tank legionella will feed on it and multiply in the right temperature conditions. It would be good practice to ensure there is a lid on the tank to stop debris entering the water system. If there is limescale or debris in the tank it should be cleaned.
Step 6. If the property has any spa baths/jacuzzis they should be cleaned on a regular basis. They create tiny particles of water that can be inhaled and potentially can cause legionella in certain circumstances. There is a case of 3 deaths due to a dirty jacuzzi. The owner was fined £200,000.
Step 7. 'Dead Legs' These are runs of pipework that are unused and blanked off but are still connected to the main water system (an old unused washing machine connection is an example). This pipework can hold stagnant water which if held at a temperature of between 20c and 45c can become a risk of legionella. If the pipework is disturbed and the water sprays into the face of a tenant it could cause serious illness. Take note if there are dead legs present in the property and if possible have them removed.
The rest of the required information is prepopulated to ensure you produce an acceptable legionella risk assessment.
You can now proceed to complete your own legionella risk assessment here
The system lodges the report on a central register with the date and time stamp of when the report was done and when it was lodged clearly recorded. If there is any issue later on it can be proven when the report was lodged.
The purpose of a Legionella Risk Assessment for your rental properties is to ensure that you have taken sufficient note of the possibility of Legionella in your water system and to give practical advice to your tenants, which will be contained in our prepopulated risk assessment template.
If a tenant were to become ill with Legionella and a risk assessment has not been carried out the Health and Safety Executive would take legal action against the landlord or agent.
OPTION 2.
WE HAVE ALSO PROVIDE CHESTERFIELD LANDLORDS WITH DETAILS OF LOCAL LEGIONELLA RISK ASSESSMENT PROVIDERS SINCE 2015.
2. You can appoint an independent Legionella Risk Assessor to undertake the assessment for you. There are many reasons why a landlord may not wish to do their own assessment. If the property in Chesterfield is a fair distance away it may be more financially viable to use a local independent assessor, maybe you have issues with your tenant and you do not wish in to visit the property or it could be that you just prefer to have an independent assessment. In this case please see www.lraregister.com where you can find a local assessor to Chesterfield who will undertake your assessment at a reasonable cost.
There are many rental properties in the Chesterfield area that have not had a Legionella Risk Assessment undertaken and these landlords are leaving themselves liable to large fines for non compliance.
Don't be one of those Chesterfield Landlords that ignores their responsibilities. Produce your Legionella Risk Assessment today and it will be officially lodged on our register for download at any time. If asked, you can then direct anyone to LRA Register to see the assessment is completed and lodged.
On October 1st 2015 the House of Commons issued a briefing paper to clarify the legal requirements for landlords with regards to Legionella Risk Assessments.
This gives specific clarification that all landlords operating rental properties must undertake a Legionella Risk Assessment on each rental property they own.
Whilst many Chesterfield landlords understandably do not agree with this regulation the fact remains it is legally required.
Landlords in Chesterfield have reported fees of up to £125 being charged for an outside contractor to do the assessment whilst the Health and Safety Executive have made it clear that: “Provided that the property is low risk (which includes most residential settings including houses or flats with small domestic type water systems where the water turnover is high) there is no reason why the landlord should not carry out the risk assessment themselves, provided that they are adequately knowledgeable about the water system in the property”.
If you prefer to have an assessor do the risk assessment for you please visit lraregister.com where you will find our directory of Legionella Risk Assessors who will conduct your assessment in Chesterfield at a fair price.
