It is important that landlords are aware of the current legislation where legionella is concerned for rented properties.
Legionnaires’ is a pneumonia-like disease commonly caused by the inhalation of small droplets of contaminated water.
It is a legal requirement for landlords of rental properties to carry out or organize a Legionella Risk Assessment. Landlords must assess and control the risk of exposure of tenants to legionella to ensure the safety of their tenants.
This does not require an in depth detailed assessment and landlords can carry out the Legionnaire’s risk assessment themselves if the property is a single dwelling or a flat with its own water supply (hot and cold) and they are competent to do so.
In particular landlords should; understand the different types of water systems, understand Legionella bacteria and the factors which increase the risk of an outbreak in a domestic setting and understand the control measures which if present will reduce the risk of an outbreak within a domestic setting.
A practical risk assessment should include a site survey of the water system. The assessor should understand the water systems and any associated equipment in the property to conclude whether the system is likely to create a risk from exposure to Legionella.
It is important to identify whether:
• Water is stored or re-circulated as part of the system (particular areas of risk include water tanks, dead legs, shower heads and/or long runs of pipe work containing warm water)
• The water temperature in some or all parts of the system is between 20 – 45°C (hot water should be stored in any tanks at 60°C)
• There are sources of nutrients such as rust, sludge, scale and organic matters
• Conditions are present to encourage bacteria to multiply
• It is possible for water droplets to be produced and, if so, whether they could be dispersed, e.g. showers
• There are parts of the system that are used infrequently e.g. guest bathrooms
• It is likely that any of the tenants, residents, visitors etc are more susceptible to infection due to age, health or lifestyle and whether they could be exposed to any contaminated water droplets
If the risk assessment concludes there is no reasonably foreseeable risk or the risks are insignificant and are managed properly to comply with the law, the assessment is complete. Although no further action may be required at this stage, we would still advise landlords to take control measures such as;
• Flushing out the water system before letting the property.
• Ensuring cold water tanks have a tight lid to stop debris getting into the system.
• Setting control parameters to ensure water is stored at the correct temperature.
• Removing any unused pipework.
Tenants should be kept informed of any control measures and tell the landlord if problems occur with the water system or if the water is not heating properly. NOTE: The hot water should be set so that the water is heated up to 60°C.
Tenants should be advised to not interfere with the settings on the boiler or hot water system. On returning to the property after a period of absence (such as a holiday or student accommodation left empty) tenants should run all taps for at least two minutes. Where showers are installed at the property and used regularly the risks are reduced. However, tenants should be advised to regularly clean showerheads.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) does not recognise a ‘Legionella test certificate’ and health and safety law does NOT require landlords to obtain or produce one. Records of any assessments should be kept and follow up checks need to be carried out periodically. The assessment of risk is an ongoing process and not merely a paper exercise. The assessment should be reviewed regularly and specifically when there is reason to suspect it is no longer valid.
Further advice is available from the Health & Safety Executive, visit hse.gov.uk/legionnaires
The Country House Company work closely with fully qualified professional Legionella risk assessors and can give further advice or arrange for a test to be carried out. For all properties fully managed by The Country House Company the landlords have been made aware of their responsibilities and the risk assessments organized.
For further details please call Katie Denton at The Country House Company on 023 92 632275 katie@countryhousecompany.co.uk .
December this week and the first reports of snow falling in London are just coming in. Traditionally a frantic time for preparations, shopping, holidays and events it is not generally considered a frantic time, as such, in the lettings industry. However here at The Country House Company we launched 75% more properties last month than in the same period last year. Of those properties 25% of them have been let without even having been marketed and another couple of properties let on the first viewing. Of the properties we are currently marketing a number of them are available to move into before Christmas. So along with our preparations for festive season we have lots to be keeping us busy in the office!
Marishelle Gibson
We were delighted to see some of our favourite villages mentioned in a piece in this last HOME supplement of The Sunday Times. Indeed we have two houses in Buriton currently one of which is due to exchange imminently and the other is being launched with OPEN HOUSE this coming Saturday at £450,000 (attached). The article was about commuting to London and Petersfield was lauded as a great line into the City.
Patrick Glynn-Jones
The Country House Company has been appointed to sell this single storey home in the centre of the highly sought after village of Hambledon. 5 Walnut Tree Cottages offers a vaulted sitting/dining room, open plan kitchen which also has a vaulted ceiling, 2 bedrooms, light bathroom and outside a patio garden, open fronted garage and further parking space. The guide price is £299,500.
5 is particularly unique because of its central village location, peaceful setting, single storey accommodation and being almost entirely detached. These attributes rarely come together and at this price point. The vaulted sitting room is striking and there are some attractive beams here too. The kitchen, which is open plan, interacts really well with the sitting room and accordingly makes for a very sociable space. A skylight in the bathroom makes this room very light. The main bedroom is generously proportioned and the second could either be a single bedroom or home office to suit.
There is a patio garden with raised bed which is wonderfully secluded and an open fronted garage which is rare for a property of this profile. There is space to park a further car in the courtyard. There are two storage shed areas enabling one to store a significant amount of items.
Hambledon is highly regarded and picturesque with a shop moments from the property, together with a pub, primary school and further shop at the other end of the village. The surrounding undulating countryside provides numerous recreational opportunities including walking, cycling and riding.
For a viewing please call Patrick on 02392 632275.
The Country House Company has been appointed to sell this delightful cottage in the centre of the highly sought after village of Buriton. 25 offers 2 bedrooms, large bathroom and a home office/occasional bedroom upstairs and a charming sitting room, generous kitchen/dining room and cloakroom downstairs. This Grade II listed cottage enjoys a good deal of natural light and no restricted ceiling heights other than on the top floor in the home office. The guide price is £450,000.
25 is full of character with many period features and some skilfully incorporated more contemporary touches such as the striking bathroom with a separate shower. The kitchen/dining room has an excellent ceiling height, attractive beams and versatile space for dining/sitting. The west facing, mainly lawn garden is reached from this room. The two bedrooms are both generously proportioned double rooms and one overlooks the garden. The bathroom is unusually large with bath and separate shower. There is a further staircase from the first floor landing that leads to an attic style, home office room which also has some beams and a conservation roof light.
Almost opposite the cottage is a detached tandem double garage with enough space for a workshop if required. This is a rare feature for Buriton.
Buriton is highly regarded and very picturesque with a large pond, historic church and undulating countryside surrounding it which provides numerous recreational opportunities including walking, cycling and riding. A primary school is also well regarded and very popular and although not to be quoted in the same sentence perhaps, two pubs!
For a viewing please call Patrick on 02392 632275.
Housing is becoming the most discussed sector. We are aware of the need for more housing but The Chancellor is apparently keen to direct wealth away from speculative residential property investment and into other sectors of the economy (still further!) thereby enabling greater choice for first time buyers looking for their first home. Interestingly the statistic being banded around is that since 2005, 195,000 new and second hand homes have been sold to investors to rent out…and only 165,000 have been built! This is clearly a government push away from ‘Generation Rent’ to ‘Generation Own’. An additional tax levied on landlords on capital gain or on rental income for these second homes might be the vehicle used but surely this is warfare on landlords and a step too far? As has been countered, the largest encumbrance for first time buyers is the deposit required on their first purchase…tens of thousands of pounds and so again, the most obvious assistance would be to offer a stamp duty holiday or cut for these home buyers. We have lobbied our MP on this but also a stamp duty concession for downsizers as that sector isn’t moving either. We understand that by doing this for downsizers alone, 27% more transactions would be released up and down the market and accordingly significant monies, including stamp duty in the middle, into The Exchequer.
Patrick Glynn-Jones
Having operated out of the Meon Valley for over 20 years The Country House Company is well aware of its stunning countryside, glorious walks and rich array of wildlife. We were therefore delighted to hear that The Wildlife Trust has acquired St Clair’s Meadow in Soberton a nature reserve in the heart of the Meon Valley, so offering further protection to this much loved site.
St Clair’s Meadow, which covers around 16 hectares, is located within the Forest of Bere and the South Downs National Park and contains a stretch of the River Meon, one of Hampshire’s internationally important chalk rivers.
Deborah Tann, Chief Executive of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, said: “We are absolutely delighted that we have been able to secure this wonderful site as a nature reserve. St Clair’s Meadow is a fantastic example of an historic water meadow, with a stretch of the incredible Meon chalk stream running through it. This is an exceptional habitat for wildlife that has been said to be as internationally important as the rainforests or Great Barrier Reef.
St Clair’s is already home to a rich array of wildlife, such as kingfisher, water vole and a large number of butterflies and dragonflies. We know that this meadow is also much loved by the local community and we are so grateful for their support and the support from Biffa Award that allowed us to acquire this land. We very much look forward to working with local residents in the months and years to come, to look after and enhance this new nature reserve so that it becomes a real haven for both wildlife and people to enjoy.”
For full details on properties for sale and to rent in and around The Meon Valley please contact Patrick Glynn Jones, Head of Sales or Kate Morton, Head of Lettings on 02392 632 275
A marketing campaign that effectively increases public awareness of safety issues should be applauded. At this time of the year we are used to seeing warnings about Firework danger so the innovative Halloween themed carbon monoxide awareness campaign, targeted at students, launched this weekend has been brilliantly timed and hopefully will have an impact.
Gas Safe has launched a short video called ‘The Silent Killer’ which is designed to look like a trailer for the latest horror movie. They entice the audience in, going on to reveal who the silent killer is and what the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning are.
It’s an intriguing watch, click here to view the video; it is worth sharing to raise awareness.
Marishelle Gibson
Legislation may be the bane of everyone’s lives but it is vital whatever business you are in that you are informed of the latest relevant legislation. So for all our landlords, please be aware:
With effect from 1st April 2018 properties with an EPC rating of less than ‘E’ will not be able to be let out.
This applies to new tenancies, renewed tenancies and new statutory periodic tenancies. This requirement will be extended to include all existing tenancies with effect from 1st April 2020.
Landlords only have to carry out work that is sufficient to bring it to the minimum rating of ‘E’. Various types of property are exempt – such as bed-sits or individual rooms being let within a larger building. Some listed buildings are exempt but not in all cases. Even if the property is not exempt the landlord could be eligible for an exemption on various grounds, which include where the tenant refuses access and where cost effective work has been carried out but the property is still rated below ‘E’.
All exemptions have to be noted to the Government operated PRS Exemption Register. The exemption lasts for 5 years at which point the landlord will need to re-apply and the situation will be reviewed.
The work should not effectively cost the landlord anything as they can apply under the newly resurrected Green Deal, or funding from the Energy Company Obligation or local authority grants.
We will be posting more information as it comes in and contacting individual landlords who may be affected by this. Please bear in mind you can call any member of the team here at The Country House Company if you wish to discuss any aspect of recent lettings legislation.
It maybe the bane of our lives but it is important.
Marishelle Butler