The duty
The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and COSHH apply in Scotland, so landlords must assess and control the risk from legionella. Scottish Government guidance on the repairing standard expects private landlords to carry out a legionella risk assessment.
The repairing standard
The First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Housing and Property Chamber) can consider whether a legionella risk assessment has been carried out when deciding whether a property meets the repairing standard. Keeping a written assessment on file is the best evidence.
How often to review
There is no fixed expiry. Review the assessment when something changes, such as a new boiler, alterations, a long void or a change of tenant, and many letting agents in Scotland review at each new tenancy.
Tenements and shared tanks
Older tenements can have shared cold water tanks and long risers serving several flats. Where a tank serves more than one property, the assessment should cover it and owners may need to co-operate on cleaning or upgrades.
We cover all of Scotland
We carry out landlord risk assessments across Scotland, including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee and Inverness.
Frequently asked questions
Do landlords in Scotland need a legionella risk assessment?
Yes. Landlords must assess the risk, and Scottish Government repairing standard guidance expects a legionella risk assessment to be carried out.
Is there a legionella certificate in Scotland?
No. As elsewhere in the UK, there is no legal certificate. A written risk assessment is the usual evidence.
Disclaimer: This guide is general information about UK requirements and is not legal advice. Always check the current legislation and guidance for your premises.