Legionella Risk Assessment FAQs – Everything You Need to Know.

If you are responsible for a workplace, rental property, or public building, you’ve probably come across the term Legionella risk assessment. This isn’t just a health and safety best practice—it’s a legal requirement in the UK. Yet many landlords, business owners, and facilities managers still have questions about what exactly it involves, who needs one, and how much it costs.

To help you stay compliant and protect the people who use your property, we’ve put together answers to the most frequently asked questions about Legionella risk assessments.

❓ What is a Legionella risk assessment?

A Legionella risk assessment is a structured inspection of your water systems designed to identify any conditions that could allow Legionella bacteria to grow and spread. During the process, a qualified assessor will carefully check the hot and cold water systems, including storage tanks, calorifiers, and pipework. They will also review water outlets such as taps and showers, while assessing the control measures you already have in place.

At the end of the assessment, you receive a detailed, HSE-compliant report that typically includes system schematics, photographs, risk ratings, and practical recommendations to reduce risks.

❓ Who needs a Legionella risk assessment?

Every duty holder, landlord, or employer has a legal obligation to carry out a Legionella risk assessment under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002, and the HSE’s ACOP L8 and HSG274 guidance.

This means a wide range of properties require assessments. Landlords of single lets, HMOs, and student accommodation are responsible for compliance, as are employers running offices, warehouses, or factories. Healthcare premises such as care homes, GP surgeries, and hospitals are considered higher-risk and therefore need extra attention. Schools, colleges, universities, hotels, gyms, and leisure centres are also legally required to have a current Legionella risk assessment in place.

If you are responsible for tenants, staff, customers, or visitors, you must ensure your property is assessed.

❓ How often should a Legionella risk assessment be reviewed?

A Legionella risk assessment is not a one-off exercise. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) requires that assessments are reviewed regularly and updated whenever they are no longer valid. Best practice is to review them at least every two years, but there are specific triggers that may require an earlier update.

For example, if your building undergoes refurbishment, if new pipework or plant is installed, or if there is a change in occupancy or usage, the risk assessment should be revisited. In the event of an outbreak or suspected case of Legionnaires’ disease, an immediate review is also essential.

❓ How much does a Legionella risk assessment cost?

The cost of a Legionella risk assessment depends on several factors, including the size and complexity of your water system, the type of property, and whether you need assessments across multiple sites.

For smaller residential properties, prices usually start at around £150 to £250, while larger commercial or multi-site operations can expect to pay more. If you manage a portfolio of properties across the UK, choosing a national Legionella risk assessment service often works out more cost-effective than hiring different local contractors, as multi-site packages can reduce overall costs.

❓ How long does a Legionella risk assessment take?

The time required for a Legionella risk assessment varies with the type and scale of the property. A small residential property typically takes between one and two hours to inspect. A medium-sized commercial site may require half a day, while large or complex premises can take one to two full days.

Most providers issue the final report within five working days, although urgent turnaround options are often available if you need compliance documentation quickly.

❓ What happens if I don’t have a risk assessment?

Failing to carry out a Legionella risk assessment can have serious consequences. From a legal perspective, you risk enforcement notices from the HSE or local authority, as well as hefty fines for non-compliance. In more severe cases, prosecution can follow—particularly if an outbreak occurs and your lack of compliance contributed to it.

Beyond the legal risks, the absence of a proper assessment places tenants, staff, customers, and visitors at risk of contracting Legionnaires’ disease, a potentially fatal form of pneumonia.

❓ Can I do a Legionella risk assessment myself?

Technically, anyone considered “competent” can complete a Legionella risk assessment. However, competence is defined by the HSE as having the necessary knowledge, skills, and experience to carry out the task properly. In practice, most landlords and business owners do not have the technical expertise required, and DIY assessments often fail compliance checks.

To ensure your property meets HSE standards and remains legally compliant, it is always recommended to use a qualified Legionella risk assessor.

❓ Do I need Legionella testing as well as a risk assessment?

A risk assessment is the starting point and the legal requirement. Legionella testing, or water sampling, may also be recommended depending on the outcome of your assessment. Not every property needs routine testing, but certain high-risk environments—such as care homes, hospitals, and cooling towers—almost always require it.

Your risk assessment report will set out whether ongoing testing is necessary for your site.

❓ Do I need one for each site I manage?

Yes. Every property or site you manage must have its own valid Legionella risk assessment. If you are responsible for multiple locations across the country, working with a single provider that offers a national Legionella risk assessment service ensures consistency and centralised compliance reporting. This makes it much easier to keep all your sites legally compliant.

✅ Ready to Book a Legionella Risk Assessment?

If you’ve been searching for “Legionella risk assessment near me”, you’re in the right place. We provide fully HSE-compliant Legionella risk assessments across the UK. Our team of qualified assessors works with single properties, multi-site landlords, and national organisations to ensure water systems remain safe and compliant.

📞 Call us today on 01226491133

📧 Email: support@absolute-water.co.uk

Stay compliant, protect people, and avoid costly enforcement action—book your Legionella risk assessment today.