Looking for a legionella risk assessment Winchester landlords, schools and businesses can act on? We survey homes, student lets, shops, offices and guest houses across the city. The people who survey your building are plumbing and heating engineers as well, so the fixes on your action plan don’t need another trade.
Our base is in Poole, in Dorset, and we drive up to Winchester for each job. Even so, there’s rarely a long wait, and the written report follows within three working days.
Why older Winchester buildings need a closer look
Winchester has a large stock of listed and period buildings, from townhouses near the cathedral to Victorian terraces further out. As a result, their plumbing has often grown in stages over a century. That history matters, because Legionella bacteria thrive where water sits still and lukewarm.
Old loft tanks
For example, plenty of older homes still feed some taps from a cold water tank in the loft. If the lid is loose or missing, then dust, insects and debris get in. In addition, lofts warm up in summer, so stored water can drift into the 20°C to 45°C band in which bacteria multiply fastest. We check each tank’s condition, lid and temperature on the visit.
Pipe runs replaced bit by bit
Over the years, plumbers have often replaced old lead and iron pipes in sections. However, a partial job can leave a short run of capped pipe that water never flows through. These dead legs hold stale water, and that’s why we trace the pipework rather than just testing the taps.
Who we work for in the city
Student lets
Houses let to students at the University of Winchester, in Stanmore, Fulflood and Weeke, often stand empty over summer. As a result, water sits in the pipes for weeks, so we plan for flushing before term starts.
Offices and shops
Upstairs kitchens, staff toilets and spare basins are easy to forget. Even so, as an employer you still need to assess and control the risk.
Restaurants, hotels and guest houses
Busy kitchens, lots of showers and rooms that stay empty midweek all need different checks. That’s why we log every outlet on a register.
Schools and community buildings
Long holidays mean quiet pipes. Meanwhile, sports showers and old tanks can go unchecked unless someone takes a proper look.
Legionella risk assessment Winchester: how the visit works
- First, we agree a time. Most bookings fit into the same week.
- Then we survey the system. We need to reach each tap and shower, the boiler or hot water cylinder, and any tank in the loft. Your tenants can be out, as long as someone lets us in.
- Next, we take temperatures. We put a thermometer on each hot and cold tap and note the result.
- Finally, you get the report. It includes an outlet register, a risk rating and a prioritised action plan.
A typical house or flat takes 45 to 90 minutes. Bigger sites take longer. If you own an HMO or commercial site, ask us for schematic drawings too.
House, flat or single let
£59.99 + VAT
Starting price for one home. No call-out charge.
Shared houses and businesses
Fixed quote
A set price agreed in advance, with nothing added later.
Several properties
Fixed quote
Portfolio pricing if you let more than one home.
What the law expects from you
If you let property or employ staff, the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and COSHH make you responsible for assessing and controlling Legionella risk. So a legionella risk assessment Winchester tenants or staff depend on should be written down and kept. We assess against ACoP L8, the HSE’s Approved Code of Practice, and its technical guidance, HSG274. Letting agents will find more on our landlords page.
Is there an expiry date? No. HSE leaves the timing to you, but it expects a review at sensible intervals and after any change. Two years is a common choice for landlords. However, a new tenancy, building work or months of vacancy should bring that date forward.
If we find a problem
Since we carry tools as well as a clipboard, your action plan doesn’t have to gather dust. For instance, we can scrub out and disinfect a grubby loft tank, then fit a tight lid and insect screen. We can also remove redundant pipe, turn up a cylinder thermostat that’s set too low, and service or fit TMVs. See remedial works for everything we take on.
Some owners also like lab evidence that the water is clear. In that case, we take samples for a UKAS-accredited lab, and you’ll usually have results within 7 to 10 days. Our Legionella testing page explains the process.
Areas we cover around Winchester
- City Centre
- Stanmore
- Fulflood
- Weeke
- Harestock
- Winnall
- Badger Farm
- Oliver’s Battery
- Kings Worthy
- Twyford
- Colden Common
- Alresford
- Bishops Waltham
- Otterbourne
Heading south or west? See our Eastleigh and Romsey pages, or read about our risk assessment service.
Winchester questions we often hear
Can you assess a listed building without disturbing it?
Yes. An assessment is a survey, so we don’t lift floors or open up walls. Instead, we look at what’s visible and accessible, take temperatures and trace pipe runs where we can. If the action plan calls for changes to fixed fittings in a listed property, we’ll talk it through with you first, because you may need consent before work starts.
My student house is empty all summer. What should I do?
Stagnant water is the main worry, so the pipes need regular use while the house is empty. If nobody can do that, then run every tap and shower thoroughly before tenants move back in. We can write this into your plan, and we can also check temperatures after the break so you have a record for the new tenancy.
Does a small shop or office really need one?
If you employ staff, then yes, you have a duty to assess the risk and keep a record. However, a small shop or office with a kitchenette and a toilet is usually simple and quick to survey. You’ll have a fixed price before we arrive, so there are no surprises on the invoice.
Can the agent hold the keys instead of the tenants being home?
Of course. Nobody has to stay home, provided we can get to every tap, the hot water system and the loft. Many landlords leave keys with their agent, or ask the tenant to let us in. Then we’ll agree a time with whoever has the keys.