Holiday lets, AirBnBs and other paying guest accommodation

If you own a holiday let or are thinking of letting out your property to be used for holiday accommodation then you are required by law to ensure that all the necessary safeguards are in place to protect guests from the effects of fire.

As of 2023, all premises covered by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 are required to have a fully recorded Fire Risk Assessment. This includes all premises which are used for commercial purposes.

This includes the following kinds of premises whether used as self catering accommodation or not:

  • Guest house, BnBs and rentals
  • AirBnBs
  • Holiday Cottages
  • Lodges and Glamping pods
  • Caravan Parks
  • Holiday Boats

Often those intending to use their property as a holiday let overlook the legal requirements around fire safety. The following Home Office guidance should be consulted to ensure that adequate arrangements are in place for preventing fires from igniting, detecting and raising an alarm as well as protecting escape routes. You need to ensure that your premises fits the scope to apply the relevant guide which in turn will inform your fire risk assessment.

For smaller premises the Home Office guide relating to ‘Paying Guest accommodation’ may be appropriate, alternatively.

For larger premises used for sleeping accommodation, the ‘DCLG Risk Assessment Guide for Sleeping accommodation’ should be used.

Please note: HWFRS cannot undertake a fire risk assessment for you – this the duty of the responsible person to ensure this is in place.

Download our Fire Safety Advice for Businesses leaflet to find out how you can better protect your business.