If you rent in Wales and are worried about legionella or water safety, this guide explains what tenants can expect from landlords and what steps you can take. It uses plain language to cover basic rights, how landlords should manage water systems, and how to report problems to authorities. You will find clear, practical actions for repairs, access, record-keeping and how to involve environmental health or the First-tier Tribunal if necessary. The guidance aims to help tenants protect health, preserve evidence and follow official forms and timetables when seeking repairs or enforcement in Wales.
Tenant rights and landlord duties
Landlords must assess and control legionella risks in communal and rented water systems and keep suitable records. The Health and Safety Executive publishes the Approved Code of Practice L8 and practical guidance for landlords on controlling legionella; these set out what a reasonable risk assessment and control plan looks like.[1][2] Housing law that applies in Wales includes the Housing Act 1988 and the Rent Act 1977 for certain historic tenancies; these set out legal duties and dispute routes for tenancy matters.[3][4]
- Carry out and record a legionella risk assessment and keep test logs for the property.
- Fix water system faults promptly and maintain plumbing to prevent stagnation and contamination.
- Ensure hot-water systems reach safe temperatures and cold-water systems remain cold where required.
- Serve written notice to tenants before entering for inspections or repairs unless it is an emergency.
- Keep copies of records and supply summaries to tenants on request so you can show the maintenance history.
What tenants should do
If you notice discoloured water, unusual smells, low hot-water temperatures, or visible mould related to plumbing, tell your landlord or agent straight away in writing and keep a copy.
- Call or write to your landlord or agent to report leaks, discoloured water or reduced hot-water temperatures immediately.
- Allow reasonable access for lawful inspections and repairs after receiving proper written notice.
- Keep records: save messages, take dated photos, and keep copies of any repair receipts or reports.
- If you or household members become ill after suspected exposure, seek medical advice and keep clinical notes.
When to report, official forms and the tribunal
If a landlord does not act, report the issue to your local environmental health team (your council) so they can inspect and enforce repairs; councils handle water-safety hazards in rented housing as a health risk.[6] You can also rely on the Housing Act 1988 and related housing law when seeking remedies or applying to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) for orders about repairs or tenancy disputes.[3][5]
Relevant official documents and forms:
- Property Chamber application pages (First-tier Tribunal) — use these forms when applying for repairs orders, rent determinations or possession disputes; for example, a tenant might use the Tribunal's application form to ask for an order forcing necessary repairs where the council has not acted.[5]
- Local council environmental health complaint form — councils have online reporting forms to request inspection of a rental property for health hazards including contaminated water; use your council form to start an enforcement investigation.
- HSE guidance documents (ACOP L8 and landlord briefings) — these are the official technical standards used by enforcement officers and landlords to plan and record control measures.[1][2]
FAQ
- Who enforces legionella control in rental properties in Wales?
- Local authority environmental health teams enforce water-safety risks in private rented housing, using HSE guidance and local enforcement powers.
- Can I withhold rent if my landlord will not fix a water-safety problem?
- Do not withhold rent without legal advice; instead report to environmental health and consider a tribunal application or court process for remedies under housing law.
- What evidence should I keep if I want to escalate a complaint?
- Keep dated photos, messages to your landlord, any repair invoices and notes of symptoms or medical advice — these strengthen complaints and tribunal cases.
How-To
- Document the problem with dated photos and a short written note describing when you noticed it.
- Contact your landlord or agent in writing and request inspection and repair, keeping a copy of your message.
- If access is needed, agree reasonable times and accept legitimate, notified inspections.
- If the landlord does not act, report the hazard to your local council environmental health for inspection.
- If enforcement or repairs do not follow, consider applying to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) using the official application forms.
Help and Support / Resources
- HSE legionella guidance
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) - apply
- Welsh Government housing information
