Call us today
07351 731 753
08:00 - 20:00 Monday - Friday
08:30 - 17:00 Weekends & Bank Holidays
Fire Safety - Holiday Lets
Self Catering Accommodation & Airbnb's
Why do you need it?
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (UK) and the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005. requires the ‘responsible person’ in virtually all workplaces – including attractions, hotels, bed and breakfast accommodation and self-catering/lets properties – to carry out a thorough fire risk assessment of their property.
This involves inspecting the premises to identify fire hazards, ensuring preventive measures are in place, and taking precautions to protect everyone in the holiday let, including guests, staff, and other potential users.
Key Changes in Fire Regulations for holiday lets (England and Wales)
From October 1, 2023, new UK fire safety rules for holiday lets made written Fire Risk Assessments (FRAs) mandatory for all paying guest accommodation, introducing stricter requirements for fire detection (hard-wired alarms), escape routes (fire doors, emergency lighting), and equipment, with guidance for smaller properties clarifying responsibilities for linked alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, annual heating inspections, and a ban on candles, requiring detailed recording and maintenance of safety measures for guest protection
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (“the Fire Safety Order”) is the main legislation that controls fire safety in all premises in England that provide accommodation for paying guests.
-
The Fire Safety Order applies if anyone pays to stay in your premises or in a room within your premises, other than to live there permanently.
-
The Fire Safety Order applies to all lets that are not let as a principal residence, even if you rent out a room in your premises only once.
For detailed compliance, refer to the official UK government guidance for small guest accommodation
How can we help?
If you are a holiday let property owner or manager and require a fire risk assessment for your property, but do not have the capability to carry out an FRA, we can help.
Eden Health and Safety understand that fire safety is a legal requirement, but also a critical responsibility that protects lives, property, and business continuity.
Our comprehensive Fire Risk Assessment Service is designed to help organisations of all sizes identify potential fire hazards, evaluate existing control measures, and implement practical steps to reduce fire risk across the premises.
Our fire risk assessments are in accordance with PAS79-1 and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, or The Fire Safety (Scotland) regulations 2006. This includes reviewing all aspects of fire prevention, detection, and evacuation procedures, ensuring that both physical systems and management protocols are fully compliant with current legislation.
Whether you operate a holiday let, or manage a small office, a multi-site estate, or a high-risk industrial unit, we tailor our assessments to reflect the unique characteristics and challenges of your business operations.
Following the on-site inspection, we provide a clear, jargon-free report that outlines significant findings, evaluates the level of risk, and prioritises actionable recommendations.
We also include a bespoke fire safety action plan, enabling your organisation to take informed steps toward improving fire safety culture, reducing liability, and maintaining legal compliance.
What is included:
-
Fire Risk Assessment - new or reviewed and updated
-
Fire policy, fire action plan and evacuation procedure - reviewed and updated
-
Guest emergency information - reviewed and updated
*Our service fees are calculated on; number of employees, size & number of premises and risk complexity (risk level) of the business operations. For in person site visits, travel costs may also be factored in to the fee.
Responsibility for the owner
With the new changes, it important that your Fire Risk Assessment is carried out by a qualified fire assessor, rather than carrying it out yourself.
The change in legislation is complex and is often difficult to understand, so using a a qualified fire risk assessor, will ensure that the government guidelines are adhered to where required, ensuring you are compliant and your guests are not at any risk.
Your Fire Risk Assessment should be reviewed regularly (best practise is annually) and it's updated where necessary, particularly where any significant changes have been made to a property or working activities.
Small premises for paying guests
A small premises is classed as having simple layouts, limited fire risks and a small number of bedrooms designated as guest sleeping accommodation for short‑term lets, such as small bed and breakfast, guest houses and self‑catering accommodation.
10 Key Points from the Guidance
-
You must carry out a fire risk assessment for your premises.
-
You must install wired smoke alarms in all bedrooms and common areas.
-
You must provide clear escape routes from your premises.
-
You must store flammable materials safely.
-
You must maintain your fire safety equipment in good working order.
-
You must routinely check detection systems and fire alarms
-
You must ensure all furniture is compliant with the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988
-
You must carry out fixed wiring check (EICR) - this is required every 5 years,
-
You must have chimney flues swept annually - Wood burners and open fires (fire pits) are to be routinely cleaned
-
You must ensure the use of candles is prohibited, and a clear policy is produced for your guests.
Non Compliance
What happens if holiday let owners don’t comply with fire safety regulations and the new guidance?
-
If your property doesn’t comply with the new legislation, you could be forced to stop renting out the property/room until it’s been made fire safe.
-
Non-compliant holiday let owners could also be fined an unlimited amount or be given a prison sentence of up to two years if an inspection by the fire service finds that their property does not meet the requirements.
If you are unsure if you require a Fire Risk Assessment, please call us today:- Tel 07351 731 753
Who should undertake a Fire Risk Assessment?
As with any risk assessment, a fire risk assessment needs to be suitable and sufficient to ensure the risks are clearly identified.
It is essential that the person conducting the fire risk assessment is competent to carry out the task and has access to relevant information and support.