Safety
If you own or manage a holiday let, you should ensure that the property is safe and that risks have been minimised.
Having the correct health and safety measures in place could also reduce your liability should an accident happen.
Gas safety
You are responsible for ensuring that any gas appliances in your property remain in a safe condition, under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
You must ensure that you have a valid Gas Safety Certificate (provided by an approved Gas Safe-registered engineer within the last 12 months) and that this is displayed in a prominent place where guests will see it.
Visit the Gas Safe Register for more information.
Fire safety
You are responsible for taking measures to protect guests in your holiday let property from the risk of fire, under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
You must:
- undertake a fire risk assessment on your property on an annual basis
- ensure that the property has satisfactory provision for detecting and warning of fires and has sufficient smoke and heat detectors installed
- provide fire alarms and extinguishers if the property is a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO); see fire safety in HMOs
- supply carbon monoxide detectors on each storey and in each room where there is a gas appliance or solid fuel burner
- ensure that all soft furnishings meet current fire safety standards
For more information see landlords’ fire safety and risk assessment guidance.
Electric safety
You should ensure that electrical installations are inspected and tested by a qualified and competent person at least every five years.
You should display the electrical safety report or certificate in a prominent position where guests will see it and you may need to provide a copy to the local authority, if requested.
Annual Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) of all portable electrical items should also be undertaken.
For more information see electrical safety standards in the private rented sector.
General safety
- make your property safe for children
- identify and minimise trip and slip hazards inside and around your property
- have secure handrails on staircases
- provide warnings for hazards, such as low ceilings
- include emergency phone numbers for guests
- carry out risk assessments for Legionnaire’s disease if applicable, and implement any necessary measures