Who Needs Legionella Testing? | Guide for Every Building Type
Who This Applies To: Any building with water systems where people could be exposed to water droplets and aerosol needs Legionella testing. This includes landlords, care homes, hotels, schools, offices, and leisure facilities. UK law requires regular risk assessments and testing. This guide explains your legal obligations and testing requirements by building type.
Water systems that store or circulate water can allow bacteria to grow if they are not properly maintained.
If you're responsible for a building, you're responsible for keeping it safe.
Routine Legionella and general water quality testing helps you:
- demonstrate control of risk
- protect occupants and visitors
- provide documented reassurance
- support compliance with UK health & safety duties
Different buildings present different risks. Below you'll find guidance tailored to the most common sectors we support across the UK, along with typical sampling approaches for each.
Care Homes & Healthcare Settings
Care homes, nursing homes and healthcare facilities require closer monitoring because residents are often elderly or medically vulnerable. Even low levels of exposure can present greater health risks than in typical workplaces.
These buildings often have:
- larger, more complex plumbing systems
- multiple bathrooms and showers
- assisted bathing rooms
- cold water storage tanks
- bedrooms or wings that may be unused for periods
All of these increase the likelihood of stagnation and bacterial growth.
Typical focus areas
- Showers
- Sentinel outlets
- Cold water storage tanks
- Little-used rooms
- End-of-line outlets
Typical sample range: 6–12+ samples, depending on building size and layout
Routine testing provides reassurance for residents, families and inspectors while supporting documented due diligence.
Read our complete guide to Legionella testing for care homes
View Legionella test kits
Read our sampling guide
Landlords & Rental Properties
Landlords in the UK have a legal duty to assess and manage Legionella risk within their properties. A Legionella risk assessment is mandatory for all landlords with water systems, regardless of building size or number of occupants.
Water testing is the most practical way to demonstrate that you have assessed and managed risks to protect your tenants.
Risk increases when:
- properties are empty between lets
- outlets are rarely used
- water stagnates
- systems are older or poorly flushed
Typical focus areas
- Kitchen taps
- Bathroom taps
- Showers
- After vacancies
- Storage tanks (if present)
Typical sample range: 2–4 samples for most small properties
Self-sampling kits allow landlords to test quickly and cost-effectively without arranging contractor visits.
Learn more about landlord responsibilities
Testing a private water supply or borehole?
Order Legionella test kit
Hotels, Leisure & Hospitality
Hotels, gyms, leisure centres and hospitality venues often operate warm, high-use water systems with frequent guest turnover.
Showers, spas and aerosol-producing outlets create ideal conditions for exposure if bacteria are present.
There is also reputational risk — water hygiene issues can affect guest confidence very quickly.
Typical focus areas
- Guest room showers
- Spa pools and hot tubs
- Changing rooms
- Low-use areas
- Storage systems and tanks
Typical sample range: 8–20+ samples depending on size and complexity
Routine monitoring helps protect guests, staff and your brand.
Read our complete guide to Legionella testing for hotels
View Legionella test kits
Schools & Nurseries
Educational buildings often experience long holiday closures where water sits unused for days or weeks.
This stagnation can quietly allow bacteria to multiply.
Testing before term starts provides reassurance that systems are safe for children and staff returning to site.
Typical focus areas
- Sentinel outlets and showers
- Cold water storage tanks
- Classrooms unused during holidays
- Staff kitchens and prep areas
Typical sample range: 4–8 samples for most small to medium schools
Simple routine testing supports safe reopening after holidays.
Read our complete guide to Legionella testing for schools
View Legionella test kits
Offices & Commercial Premises
Even lower-risk workplaces still carry a duty of care for staff and visitors.
Hybrid working, reduced occupancy and seasonal usage mean many outlets are now rarely used, increasing the chance of stagnation.
Problems often go unnoticed until testing is carried out.
Typical focus areas
- Staff kitchens
- Showers
- Low-use floors or areas
- Stored water systems
Typical sample range: 2–6 samples for most offices
Routine testing verifies that your control measures are working as expected.
Private Water Supplies
Properties on wells, boreholes, springs, or rainwater harvesting systems have additional responsibilities under the Private Water Supplies Regulations 2016. Both Legionella and TVC testing are recommended for any private supply.
Read our complete guide to private water supply testing →
Not sure which category you fit into?
If you're responsible for any building with:
- stored or circulated water
- hot and cold water systems
- tanks or cylinders
- showers or aerosol-producing outlets
- areas that are rarely used
…routine Legionella testing is a sensible precaution.
Use our sample calculator to estimate how many bottles you may need, or choose one of our professional testing kits to get started.