Cornish Landlords Face £20,000 Fines Over Hidden Bathroom Danger

Could your shower be putting your tenants at risk of a deadly disease? Cornish landlords are being urged to take action or face severe penalties under sweeping new rental rules.

Landlords across Cornwall could be hit with fines of up to £20,000, or even a prison sentence in the worst cases, if they fail to protect tenants from Legionnaires’ disease. The penalties became enforceable last Friday, 1st May, when the new Renters’ Rights Act came into force.

A custodial sentence can be handed down if a tenant dies after contracting the disease at a rental property.

Hundreds of Cases Recorded Last Year

The warning follows the latest figures from the UK Health Security Agency, which identified 472 cases of legionellosis in 2024. Of those, 13 proved fatal.

Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia. It poses the greatest risk to older adults, particularly smokers and people with weakened immune systems or chronic conditions such as cancer or diabetes.

The bacteria thrive in water temperatures between 20 and 45 degrees Celsius, contaminating water systems and spreading through inhaled droplets from showerheads, hot tubs and humidifiers.

Primary symptoms include chest pain, a cough, a high temperature and shortness of breath.

New Tool Aims to Help Landlords Stay Compliant

In response to the tougher rules, home assessors have launched Legionella Guard, an e-learning platform designed to help landlords meet the updated regulations without forking out for costly professional inspections.

Leah Stone, Director of Legionella Guard, said the risk of Legionnaires’ disease should be taken as seriously as gas and fire safety.

“Legionnaires’ disease is a deadly risk hiding in plain sight,” said Leah.

“It’s overlooked by homeowners, a frightening number of which are completely unaware of the disease and the very real risk it poses to those who are vulnerable.

“It is now a legal duty for landlords to manage the risk of infection.”

Leah said existing guidance had often been unclear and widely ignored, while professional inspections came with a hefty price tag.

“Historically, guidance has been vague, confusing and often ignored. And professional inspections are expensive,” she said. “This tool protects landlords from unintentional noncompliance which could have devastating consequences.”

Annual Risk Assessments Now a Legal Duty

Failure to assess and control the risk of Legionnaires’ disease is now a criminal breach. Leah said every landlord should be completing an annual risk assessment, both to protect tenants and themselves.

The platform walks landlords through how Legionella grows and what conditions allow it to spread. It also lets them store evidence of action taken to prevent bacteria growth, which could prove vital in avoiding conviction.

“Once landlords complete our straightforward e-learning programme, they can ask risk independently without having to pay large fees to third parties,” Leah added.

“It’s a simple solution the sector has been crying out for, and is available to letting agents, local authorities, housing associations and private landlords.”

Further information is available at legionella-guard.co.uk.