Legionella Risk Assessments in Northampton
If you’re a landlord, letting agent, or small business owner in Northampton, you have a legal duty to identify and control the risk of Legionella bacteria in your hot and cold water systems. Our local assessor has been producing Legionella Risk Assessments for rented homes and small commercial properties since 2016 and holds the ABBE Level 2 Award in Legionella Awareness. You get a clear report written in plain English, practical recommendations you can act on, and a record that shows you have taken your responsibilities seriously.
Do you need a Legionella Risk Assessment in Northampton?
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), anyone responsible for a water system, landlords, employers, or property managers, must assess and manage the risk of Legionella exposure. The HSE’s Approved Code of Practice (ACOP L8) explains how to do this. There is no fixed legal review date: the HSE asks you to review your assessment regularly, and straight away if the property or its water system changes. As good practice, we recommend a fresh review at least every two years.
This applies across Northampton, whether you let out a terrace in Kingsthorpe, manage an HMO near the town centre, or run a shop or office in Weston Favell.
What’s included in our Northampton assessment
- An on-site inspection of your hot and cold water system, including tanks, cylinders, pipework, and outlets
- Temperature checks at key points to confirm your system is running within safe parameters
- Identification of any dead legs, infrequently used outlets, or other conditions that could allow Legionella to grow
- A written report with clear, prioritised recommendations you can act on
- Photographic evidence to support your compliance records
Northampton areas we cover
As one of the larger towns we serve, Northampton has a wide range of housing stock across its districts, and we cover all of them, including:
- Kingsthorpe
- Abington
- Duston
- Weston Favell
- Far Cotton
- Town centre & St James
- Kingsley
- Hunsbury
Northampton’s water systems: what we typically find
Northampton’s size means its housing stock varies widely by area: Victorian terraces around the town centre and Kingsthorpe, inter-war and post-war semis in areas like Abington and Weston Favell, and newer developments in Hunsbury and on the town’s edges. Rented terraces and converted HMOs, common in the older, more central areas, often have older pipework and cylinders that need closer attention, while newer combi boiler systems in more recent developments carry less stored water but still need checking. Whatever the age or type of your property, our assessment is tailored to the system in front of us, not a generic checklist.
Northampton assessment costs
We quote based on the number of taps at the property (separate hot and cold taps over one sink or bath count as one tap), not whether it’s a home or a business. As a guide:
| Number of taps | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Up to 3 | £90 – £150 |
| 4 to 6 | £150 – £220 |
| 7 to 9 | £220 – £300 |
| 10 or more | £300 – £400 |
A shop or office with a couple of sinks is quoted the same as an equivalent home: the price reflects the size of the water system, not the type of premises. Get in touch with your tap count for an exact quote.
Is this the right assessment for your property?
Our Legionella Risk Assessment is designed for domestic and light commercial properties with straightforward, domestic style water systems. If your property has a cooling tower, evaporative condenser, or is a larger commercial site such as a care home, hotel, or school with complex stored water systems, you’ll need an assessor with additional competency for those system types. We’re happy to point you in the right direction if that’s the case, just get in touch.
What are the Benefits of using Bluewire Hub for your Legionella Risk Assessments?
Compliance with Regulations:
Our assessor holds the ABBE Level 2 Award in Legionella Awareness and carries out every assessment in line with the HSE Approved Code of Practice L8 (fourth edition).
Prompt and Reliable Service:
We pride ourselves on delivering efficient and reliable services. We’ll aim to schedule your assessment at a time convenient for you, and our turnaround time for providing Legionella Risk Assessments is quick and hassle-free. If you are looking for an urgent appointment we will always do our best to accommodate your request.
Expert Analysis:
Once the assessments are complete, we provide you with a detailed analysis of the findings, you can download an example report here. This helps you understand the potential risks and the necessary steps to eliminate them.
Clear Pricing:
We price by the number of taps in the property, so you pay for the size of the water system being assessed. Tell us your tap count on the form and we will send you an exact quote.
Complete the contact form to get your Legionella Risk Assessment Quote
What is Legionnaires’ Disease?
The Legionella bacteria cause Legionnaires’ Disease, an illness similar to pneumonia that can, under certain circumstances, be fatal. The infection can occur when individuals breathe in small droplets of contaminated water.
The bacteria exist in the natural environment and can contaminate and thrive in water systems, including domestic hot and cold water. The legionella bacteria flourish at temperatures between 20 – 45°C when the conditions are favorable, but temperatures of 60°C or higher eliminate them.
What are my obligations?
Landlords of both domestic and business premises have a legal duty under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the COSHH Regulations 2002 to assess and control the risk of exposure to Legionella for their tenants. The HSE Approved Code of Practice L8 (fourth edition) explains how to meet that duty. You can read more on the HSE website.
Whilst most rented premises may be low risk, it is important that landlords assess and control the risks. Landlords may potentially face prosecution under HSWA. In such cases, they would need to demonstrate to a court that they had fulfilled their legal duty.
Sample Legionella Risk Assessment Report
See exactly what’s included in a professional Legionella Risk Assessment. Download a sample report to understand how we help you meet your compliance obligations with clear, practical advice.
