Certificates explained
Do you need a legionella certificate?
No. HSE states that health and safety law does not require landlords to obtain or produce a ‘legionella test certificate’. What the law requires is that you assess and control the risk. A record of that assessment is what people usually mean when they ask for a certificate.
Last reviewed October 2026 against HSE guidance.
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What HSE says
“Health and safety law does not require landlords to obtain or produce a ‘legionella test certificate’.”
The same guidance explains that testing the water for legionella is not usually required for domestic hot and cold water systems, and should not be confused with temperature monitoring, which HSE calls a reliable method for confirming the water system is under control.
There is no legionella equivalent of the gas safety certificate. No register issues one and no law says you must hold one.
Why people ask for one anyway
The phrase is used loosely for several different documents:
| What you are given | What it actually is |
|---|---|
| A ‘legionella certificate’ from an assessor | A cover sheet or summary confirming a risk assessment was carried out on a given date. The assessment report is the document that matters. |
| A laboratory certificate of analysis | The result of a water sample tested for legionella. It describes one sample on one day. |
| A request from a letting agent, insurer or licensing scheme | A contractual or scheme requirement to show that the risk has been assessed. Ask what form of evidence they accept. |
If an agent or insurer asks for a certificate, a completed and dated risk assessment is normally what they need. If they insist on a third-party assessment, that is their condition, not the law's.
What to keep instead
- a dated risk assessment for the property, signed by whoever carried it out
- a note of the control measures in place, such as cylinder temperature and flushing when empty
- any temperature readings you have taken
- a copy of the advice given to tenants
- the date you plan to review it
HSE says landlords are not necessarily required to record the findings, but that you may find it wise to keep a record. If a tenant ever became ill, that record is how you would show you met your duty.
The free template covers all five items.
Be wary of certificate sales
Some adverts say landlords must buy an annual legionella certificate or face fines. That is not what the law says. Paying a competent assessor is a reasonable choice, especially for larger or more complex properties, but you are paying for an assessment, not for a certificate that the law demands.
See typical assessment costs if you would like one done for you.
Questions people ask
Is a legionella certificate a legal requirement?
No. HSE says health and safety law does not require landlords to obtain or produce a legionella test certificate. The legal duty is to assess and control the risk.
How long does a legionella certificate last?
There is no official certificate, so there is no official validity period. A risk assessment remains valid until the system, the occupants or the use of the property changes. Review it periodically.
My letting agent says I need a legionella certificate. Do I?
Your agent can require evidence as a condition of managing the property. Ask whether a completed risk assessment is acceptable. The requirement comes from the agent, not from health and safety law.
How do I get a legionella certificate?
If you want a document from a third party, book a legionella risk assessment with an assessor and ask for a written report. If you assess the property yourself, your completed and dated risk assessment is your record.
Sources
- HSE: Legionella and landlords' responsibilities
- HSE: Legionnaires' disease, what you must do
- HSE: Approved Code of Practice L8, The control of legionella bacteria in water systems
Checked against these sources in October 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice.
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