£90 inc VAT

SUMMARY

As of 1st March 2024, the Repairing Standard entails a new requirement: all landlords must ensure that the water supply in their private rental properties is free of lead. This is a government requirement that all private landlords must follow to ensure their rented properties are safe and up to the current legal standard.

We recommend that all landlords carry out a water assessment to ensure that their properties are safe and lead-free. Scottish Water advises that if your property was built before 1970, you could have lead pipework. If a landlord is uncertain whether there are lead pipes, or is aware of a risk, they should carry out this lead testing. Laboratory analysis of a water sample is the only way to properly test whether your water is lead free. If a property contains lead pipes, lead-lined storage tanks, or lead fittings between the boundary stopcock and the kitchen tap, they will need to be identified and replaced. 

These include:

• Drinking water outlets;

• Pipework to drinking water outlets;

• Water storage tanks within the dwelling; and

• Water storage tanks in the loft space, including any common storage tanks located in tank rooms or in the roof space;

Water should be tested at all outlets where water may be consumed between the boundary stopcock and the kitchen tap. For most properties the only outlet which would need to be tested for lead is the kitchen tap. Other outlets at baths, basins and utility rooms would only need to be tested if they are located between the boundary stopcock and the kitchen tap.

If the lead content is at or above 10 micrograms per litre, then this test is considered a fail. This test result indicates that there is some lead present in the plumbing. In the event of a failed test, all tenants must be immediately informed. 

Short-term precautionary advice to tenants may include:

• Avoid using water that has been standing in pipes for long period.

• Filling a basin or bowl with water before using it for drinking or cooking in order to clear pipes

If your property is connected to the public water supply, Scottish Water will undertake an investigation and replace any sections of lead in its part of the service pipe between the water main in the street and the boundary stop valve, which it must do free of charge. For any sections of pipework which are not the responsibility of Scottish Water, the landlord is responsible for locating and removing any lead pipes. If the source of the lead is found to be in a lead-lined cold water tank, it is the responsibility of the landlord to replace the tank. After any lead sources have been found and replaced, the water should then be re-sampled to ensure that the lead content is below 3 micrograms per litre.

WHAT WE CAN DO

To ensure that your property meets these new standards before the March 1st deadline, please book an appointment with us whereby we will visit your property and carry out the appropriate tests. 

During our lead testing service, we will:

• Check visible pipework

• Identify whether a lead-lined cold water tank is in use

• Take a water sample that will be sent to an approved lab

• Provide a certificate with the results of your lab test

We hope and anticipate that most properties will pass this test, but in the case of a failed test we can advise the next steps to ensure your property is lead-free.  

 If you are in need of a test, please get in touch with us via our BOOK NOW form.