Scotland
Legionella risk assessments in Scotland
Scotland has the same health and safety law as the rest of Great Britain, with one addition for private landlords. The Repairing Standard guidance says the assessment must be done before the property is first let and reviewed at intervals of no more than two years.
Last reviewed October 2026 against HSE guidance.
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What the Scottish guidance says
The Scottish Government's Repairing Standard statutory guidance for private landlords covers legionella in Annex D. It states:
“All water systems must be assessed for legionella risk, and private landlords must ensure this is carried out before the property is first let. The risk assessment should then be regularly reviewed at intervals of no more than two years.”
It continues: if a review indicates that there has been a change to the risk factors, a new risk assessment should be carried out.
How Scotland compares
| Scotland (private lets) | England, Wales and Northern Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Duty to assess | Yes | Yes |
| When | Before the property is first let | No set point in law. HSE advises flushing the system before letting. |
| Review interval | At intervals of no more than two years | No fixed interval. Review periodically and on change. |
| Who can do it | The landlord for simple systems, or a competent assessor | Most landlords can assess the risk themselves |
| Certificate required | No | No |
Who can carry out the assessment
The guidance says that, depending on the system in the property, private landlords may be able to carry out the assessment themselves, or it might be necessary to employ a competent assessor.
It gives the same low-risk example as HSE: a house where daily water use turns over the whole system, cold water comes directly from the mains with no stored tanks, hot water comes from instantaneous or low-volume heaters supplying outlets at 50°C, and the only outlets are toilets and wash hand basins.
Control measures landlords must take
To help control the risk, the guidance says landlords must:
- flush out the system before letting the property, if this has not been done within the previous two years
- keep debris out of the system by making sure cold water tanks, where fitted, have a tight-fitting lid
- set control parameters so water in the hot water tank is stored at 60°C or above
- make sure redundant pipework and dead ends are identified and removed
What tenants must be told
- not to adjust the temperature setting of the hot water tank
- to regularly clean and disinfect showerheads
- to tell the landlord if the hot water is not heating properly or there are other problems
Where a let property is vacant for an extended period, the guidance says steps must be taken so water does not stagnate, through a suitable flushing regime or measures such as draining the system.
Using the template in Scotland
The free template covers the points in the Scottish guidance. Complete it before the first tenancy starts, set the review date no more than two years ahead, and keep it with your other Repairing Standard records.
Other landlords, such as social landlords, and all employers in Scotland remain under the general health and safety duties described on our legal requirements page.
Questions people ask
Is a legionella risk assessment a legal requirement in Scotland?
Yes. Private landlords have a duty to assess hot and cold water systems for legionella risk, and the Repairing Standard guidance says this must be done before the property is first let.
How often should a legionella risk assessment be done in Scotland?
The Repairing Standard guidance says the assessment should be reviewed at intervals of no more than two years, and a new assessment carried out if the risk factors have changed.
Can I do my own legionella risk assessment in Scotland?
The guidance says private landlords may be able to carry out the assessment themselves, depending on the system in the property, or may need to employ a competent assessor.
Do I need a legionella certificate in Scotland?
The guidance asks for a risk assessment, not a certificate. Keep a dated record of the assessment and each review.
Sources
- Scottish Government: Repairing Standard statutory guidance for private landlords, Annex D
- HSE: Legionella and landlords' responsibilities
- HSE: Legionnaires' disease, what you must do
Checked against these sources in October 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice.
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