Do I need a qualification to do legionella risk assessments in homes?

No qualification is required by law for a domestic property. HSE’s code of practice asks that whoever carries out the risk assessment is competent: that they understand where legionella could grow, the precautions and how to keep them working.

Will this course make me competent to do them?

Not by itself. HSE’s code of practice says competence comes from training, instruction, experience and knowledge together. The course gives you the knowledge. Your experience of domestic hot and cold water systems is the other part.

Is the legionella training free for trades?

Yes. All eight lessons, the videos and the test are free, with no sign-in. It is not accredited and there is no certificate.

Does a home with a combi boiler still need a legionella risk assessment?

Yes. The duty to assess the risk applies to every rented home. A home with no stored water is usually lower risk, and HSE says a simple assessment may show there are no real risks. It still has to be done and written down.

Am I insured to do legionella risk assessments?

Check with your own insurer. Your professional indemnity and public liability cover need to include legionella risk assessments; many brokers add it on request. DwellFlow does not provide insurance.

Free legionella training for plumbers and gas engineers

A free online legionella course for plumbers, gas engineers, heating engineers, electricians, energy assessors and anyone else who already works in rented homes. It covers what the law asks of landlords and how to carry out a legionella risk assessment in a house or flat. Eight short video lessons with questions. No sign-in.

About 13 minutes to watch, or 1 hour 17 minutes to read in full. Free. Only about domestic properties. Every figure checked against HSE’s own guidance.

Written by Ken Millea, who ran a UK legionella consultancy for ten years.

Start the free course

Video, questions and answers in one screen. Or see all eight lessons.

Why it matters to you

You are already in the property. The landlord still needs this done.

Every rented home needs its legionella risk assessed, whatever heats the water. HSE says most landlords can assess the risk themselves, and adds: “if they do not feel competent, or inclined to do so, they can arrange for someone to do it on their behalf.” HSE also names “mandatory visits such as gas safety checks or routine maintenance visits” as times when the water system can be inspected.

You know the plumbing already. What this legionella training for trades adds is the rest: what the duty is, where bacteria grow in a domestic system, which temperatures HSE’s guidance sets and how to take them, what to record, and what to tell the landlord to do about each finding. It is only about domestic properties.

What it is, and what it is not

Free legionella awareness training. Not a qualification.

Free. No payment, no sign-in, no email address asked for.
Online, at your own pace. Watch, listen or read, on a phone or a computer.
Only about domestic properties. Houses and flats that are let, in England, Scotland and Wales.
Checked against HSE. Each lesson lists the HSE documents it came from.
Not accredited, and no certificate. It does not, by itself, make anyone competent. HSE’s code of practice says competence comes from training, instruction, experience and knowledge together. The course is the knowledge.

After the course

From the training to a service you can charge for.

With DwellFlow you do the assessment on the visit you are already making. It asks the survey questions in the right order on your phone. You take the temperatures and the photographs, and AI writes the risk assessment, the tenant sheet and the written scheme of control, with your firm’s name on each one. Many firms charge landlords £75 to £100 for a legionella risk assessment. The survey takes thirty minutes to an hour, depending on the size and type of the water system. DwellFlow costs you £9.99 ex VAT a property. Starting is free. Read a full example report.

Start free, no card neededYou only pay if you want the report.

Questions people ask

Short answers.

Do I need a qualification to do legionella risk assessments in homes? No qualification is required by law for a domestic property. HSE’s code of practice asks that whoever carries out the risk assessment is competent: that they understand where legionella could grow, the precautions and how to keep them working.
Will this course make me competent to do them? Not by itself. HSE’s code of practice says competence comes from training, instruction, experience and knowledge together. The course gives you the knowledge. Your experience of domestic hot and cold water systems is the other part.
Is the legionella training free for trades? Yes. All eight lessons, the videos and the test are free, with no sign-in. It is not accredited and there is no certificate.
Does a home with a combi boiler still need a legionella risk assessment? Yes. The duty to assess the risk applies to every rented home. A home with no stored water is usually lower risk, and HSE says a simple assessment may show there are no real risks. It still has to be done and written down.
Am I insured to do legionella risk assessments? Check with your own insurer. Your professional indemnity and public liability cover need to include legionella risk assessments; many brokers add it on request. DwellFlow does not provide insurance.

The same course, for other people: Free legionella training for landlords · Free legionella training for letting agents and property managers

Free legionella training for plumbers and gas engineers

You are already in the property. The landlord still needs this done.

What you learn in the course.

Free legionella awareness training. Not a qualification.

From the training to a service you can charge for.

Short answers.

Start with lesson 1.