Fire safety for holiday lets

If you let your property to paying guests for short stays, you need to make sure they are protected from fire and can escape safely if one occurs.

Guests may be unfamiliar with your property, its layout, escape routes and fire safety equipment. Taking sensible precautions, identifying the risks and giving guests clear information can help prevent fires and make sure they know what to do if a fire occurs.

The fire safety measures your property needs will depend on its size, layout and how it is used.

Small holiday lets

Your property is likely to fall into the small and straightforward category if it:

• has a simple layout
• is on the ground floor, or ground and first floors
• sleeps no more than 10 people
• has no more than four guest bedrooms on the first floor
• is an individual flat that is not unusually large

This can include houses, cottages, chalets, flats and some types of holiday and glamping accommodation.

If your property meets these criteria, the GOV.UK guidance for small paying guest accommodation may be relevant to you.

Larger or more complex accommodation

If your property:

• sleeps more than 10 people
• has several floors
• has a complicated layout
• has additional or significant fire risks

you may need to consider additional fire safety measures.

The GOV.UK guidance for sleeping accommodation provides more detailed information for larger or more complex properties.

If you are unsure which guidance applies to your property, we recommend speaking to a suitably qualified fire risk assessor.

You need to carry out a fire risk assessment for your accommodation. This will help you identify the risks in your property and decide what you need to do to keep your guests safe.

Your assessment should consider:

• how a fire could start, including from cooking, electrical equipment, heating, smoking or open fires
• how guests will be alerted if there is a fire
• how they will escape, including during the night
• whether escape routes are clear and suitable
• whether your smoke and fire alarms are appropriate and working
• whether fire-fighting equipment is needed
• whether anyone staying at the property may need additional help to escape

Your assessment should reflect your property and how it is used by your guests.

We recommend using a suitably qualified fire risk assessor to carry out your assessment, particularly if you are unsure about the risks or the fire safety measures your property needs.

Fire safety arrangements should be reviewed regularly and whenever the property, its use or the people staying there change.

Keep appropriate records of your fire risk assessment, reviews, maintenance and testing of fire safety equipment, and any actions taken to reduce identified risks.