Recently, we have received some questions about Legionella. Our team have done research on the subject and have put together some useful information for landlords. Please see our guide regarding assessing your properties risk.
What is legionella?
Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia. Everyone is susceptible to infection, but the risk is increases with age and in people suffering from pre-existing health conditions.
The bacterium, Legionella pneumophila, are widespread in natural water systems (e.g., rivers and ponds) but can also be found in purpose-built water systems such as hot and cold-water systems and spa pools where the water is maintained at a temperature high enough to encourage growth.
Assessing your property
Some properties will have a higher risk than others, so, we would recommend considering:
- When was the water supply last used?
- Do you have an open tank?
- Do you have disused pipework?
To combat the likelihood of legionella and prove you have carried out a risk assessment of the property we recommended that a landlord:
- Flush the water system thoroughly by running all taps.
- Ensure that any water tanks have tightly closed lids.
- Store the water at 60 degrees to kill the bacteria.
- Remove any disused pipework as water can stagnate in the pipework and bacteria can grow.
- Make sure you inform the tenant of how to keep themselves safe.
Testing kits
You can buy testing kits, here. You need test kit 001.
Instructions are provided with the bottle, but all you need to do is take a sample from as many taps as you like (we would recommend taking three, one from the kitchen, the downstairs toilet sink and the upstairs bathroom sink) and ensure you fill the bottle.
The sample should be taken from the hot tap/ hot setting, and it wants to capture the very first water out of the tap (whether it comes out hot or not). You can then post this back to the lab with the self-addressed envelope and await your results. It takes around two weeks to process the sample and return the results. At this point, you will be provided with a certificate of compliance and further instruction if Legionella is present.
If you feel that the house is at high risk then consider getting a professional contractor to undertake an assessment, I recommend this where properties have been left unused for some time.
The penalties for someone contracting legionella in your property can be hefty. £20,000 fine or even imprisonments so it may be worth undertaking a risk assessment and keeping a log of when and how it was undertaken, for your tenant’s peace of mind.
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Our first time buying a house and we couldn't have asked for a better experience from the Estate Agents at Emsleys. Carol and Amber went above and beyond to support us with getting the... Read more
Ross Jennings
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I recently purchased a home through Emsleys in Sherburn in Elmet. Carol was my main point of contact and she was brilliant, very responsive to emails, always keeping me updated, and just a very... Read more
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Carol goes above and beyond to help you . Would definitely recommend using Emsleys in Sherburn in Elmet. Read more
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Carol and the team at Emsleys were on it from the word go. Questions never went unanswered and I was always met with a cheery, friendly response. My moving experience this time, the second time in... Read more
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I would highly recommend using Emsleys estate agents. I have used them previously and would definitely be happy to use them again. They have been fair\/friendly, helpful and very efficient in all... Read more
DEBRA WILLS
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From start to finish, Carol at the Sherburn-in-Elmet office has been friendly, professional and so helpful with the sale of my house. Always on the end of the phone to answer any questions and ease... Read more
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Amazing from the get go. Carol and the team are on top of everything and keep everyone well informed throughout the process. Emsleys do a great job of making you feel valued throughout the process... Read more
Josh Rose
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Where do I start ! It has been the most amazing and professional experience from start to finish. We have been treated with kindness and sensitivity at all times. The true star has to be Carol... Read more
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Fantastic service throughout, carol was always very kind and helpful with many questions raised throughout - excellent service Read more
Holly Miller
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Very good communication and follow ups. Friendly staff who actually understand house purchasing \/ selling from a clients perspective. Read more
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Carol made the house purchase very easy. Always updating, chasing solicitors and simplifying the process where possible. I'd absolutely buy another house through Emsley any day of the week.... Read more
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We had a fantastic experience working with Lisa at Emsleys Estate Agents during our home-buying journey. The team was incredibly attentive, responsive, and dedicated to helping us find the perfect... Read more
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We are first time buyers so didn't know much about the buying process, but Carol has taken the time to explain everything to us, keep in regular communication with us and overall make the... Read more
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I cannot compliment Emsleys enough. Everyone we worked with or spoke to was incredible. We predominantly worked with Carol and Amber who really looked after us and never made me feel like I was... Read more
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We would like to thank the Cross Gates staff for their excellent service during the sale of our flat. During the process we encountered a couple of hiccups but the staff worked with the necessary... Read more
Mark Flynn
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We were blown away by the service we received by Carol at Emsleys Estate Agents in Sherburn. We bought our beautiful house from this estate agent and she really steered this purchase through a... Read more
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Very professional service and helpful throughout the whole process of selling our home. Always kept in contact and provided us with details and information. Read more
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Carol and the team were there every step of the way with clear and responsive information. Read more
Holly Dove
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Brilliant every step of the way with the sale of my property. Highly recommend Read more
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Thank you for a great service. We were kept up to date throughout the process despite it being long and drawn out! Good value for money. Thoroughly professional and friendly. Read more
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Thank you for a great service. We were kept up to date throughout the process despite it being long and drawn out! Good value for money. Thoroughly professional and friendly. Read more
Yvonne Cotterill
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Very knowledgeable about market and suggested a practical price immediately. Have been available to help with all aspects of selling throughout, never too busy to deal with us and always... Read more
Victoria Anne Hamilton
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Great service provided by the staff at Emsleys Sherburn in Elmet branch, any queries were dealt with efficiently and promptly . Special mention to Carol and Amber who were excellent Would not... Read more
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Fantastic service by Lisa and Amber throughout a very tough process. Would highly recommend. Read more
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Professional, knowledgeable, friendly service, always kept upto date with communications. We received a really professional service through Emsleys, their staff are always on hand to help with any... Read more
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Excellent communication and very helpful staff - would definitely recommend this estate agency to anyone wanting to buy or sell a home Read more
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Fantastic service from start to finish. Carol stayed in touch with us during the whole process of selling our house and even helped to chase others in the chain\/our own solicitors. We would... Read more
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I am so pleased we chose Elmsleys to sell our house. Everything went very smoothly from appointments for viewings to the negotiations with the buyers. I would like to say a special thank you to... Read more
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We sold our house in Kirkstall so we was dealing with Maria (rothwell branch) negotiating on the house we wanted never have we bought and sold before and hand on heart emsleys can't do enough... Read more
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Definitely the agent to go to! My recent experience as a buyer of a property through Emsleys Estate Agents was second to none! All thanks go to Carol branch negotiator!! Carol went over amp;... Read more
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The whole team have been amazing with myself and my partner Sean even though we were only purchasing from them they all went above and beyond in helping us buy our forever home. Read more
Nicola
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Superb service from start to finish. Nothing has ever been too much trouble. We were given a realistic price to sell at. Carol and Amber have been accommodating and professional throughout. I... Read more
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Excellent service from Emsleys, Carol and Jarred were both great at keeping us informed would highly recommend. Read more
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I recently had the pleasure of working with Emsleys Estate Agents to sell my house, and I couldn\'t be happier with the experience. From start to finish, their professionalism, expertise, and... Read more
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I used Emsleys to sell my 4-bed house. Jared showed great knowledge of the area and comparable properties, and due to the great position and condition, recommended a valuation pound;35k higher... Read more
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Our sale process turned out to be much longer than expected due to issues in our chain. Throughout the process Carol worked hard to speed things up and keep us informed at all times. Highly... Read more
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I recently bought a property for sale through Emsleys in Sherburn-in-Elmet and I couldn't have wished for a better service. All the staff were friendly and helpful during what became a very... Read more
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In a complicated house sale Lisa and the team at Emsleys were really helpful. Often as a buyer in the process you feel ignored but Lisa was respectful and really supportive throughout! Honestly I... Read more
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Carol Flynn : she was very helpful and handled every enquiry quickly and professionally Thank you for all your help you made this process much easier Read more
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Can\'t thank the team at emsleys in crossgates enough! I was selling my non standard construction property and the knowledge and advice was fantastic. The team were always there to reassure... Read more
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Fantastic Estate Agents, have assisted me immensely during my house buying process. David and Natalie were always very polite and professional, keen to solve my queries and keep me updated during... Read more
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