Logic Certification has updated its Legionella Prevention and Water Treatment course, in response to the revised legislation regarding the potential threat of legionella bacteria in rented properties.

The course now reflects an emphasis on the landlord and letting agent's responsibility to carry out a risk assessment.

Following an update to Approved Code of Practice (AcoP) L8, the legislation designed to stop the spread of Legionnaire's disease, landlords and letting agents are required by law to carry out a risk assessment on all hot and cold water systems to ascertain the threat of Legionella or face fines of up to £20,000.

"Gas safety checks are carried out routinely in residential properties as part of health and safety legislation - it should be no different when it comes to Legionella bacteria," Mark Krull, director at Logic Certification, said. "If left untreated, Legionella can pose a real threat to people's lives, so must naturally be treated with the same regard as dangerous gas appliances in the home.

"What's key is that the ‘duty' has changed and will affect all agents, where previously only those responsible hot and cold water services over the 300 litre limit were liable.

The revised ACoP: Legionnaire's Disease: The control of Legionella bacteria in water systems (L8) now tasks property professionals with taking the right precautions to reduce the risks of exposure to Legionella and, if necessary, take the appropriate action. This applies to all water systems in residential rental premises.

Mr Krull continued: "We've updated our existing course accordingly which will equip landlords, agents and the gas installers responsible for maintaining their properties, with the knowledge of their legal requirements and the competence to complete a risk assessment and activate the appropriate control measures."

Logic Certification's Legionella Prevention and Water Treatment one-day course includes:

For more infomation see www.logiccertification.co.uk.