{"id":1488,"date":"2024-11-20T14:17:11","date_gmt":"2024-11-20T14:17:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/knowledge\/landlord-regulation\/fire-safety-rules-for-holiday-lets\/"},"modified":"2026-02-18T17:15:59","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T17:15:59","slug":"fire-safety-rules-for-holiday-lets","status":"publish","type":"knowledge","link":"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/knowledge\/landlord-regulation\/fire-safety-rules-for-holiday-lets\/","title":{"rendered":"Fire safety rules for holiday lets"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you own a holiday let, you need to meet fire safety regulations designed to protect your guests and property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The law means all holiday let owners in England and Wales must follow strict fire safety rules, including steps for fire risk assessments, alarms, escape routes, and providing information to guests. The guidance also applies to a range of property types, including flats, holiday cottages, and unique accommodation like glamping pods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below, we\u2019ll break down what you need to do to stay compliant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the fire safety rules for holiday lets?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Health and safety regulations for holiday lets are designed to make sure all holiday let owners \u2013 even those who let out a room for a single night \u2013 rent out fire safe properties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a holiday let landlord, it\u2019s important that you have fire safety procedures in place not only for guests but also for anyone you employ to manage the property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below is an overview of everything you need to know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fire risk assessment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

All holiday let owners must complete a written fire risk assessment before renting out their property. You must record your assessment and make it accessible for guests \u2013 this could be in a welcome pack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll need to record your findings and make these easily accessible for guests, such as including them in a welcome pack or information folder. The assessment should look at how to prevent fires from starting and how anyone in the building can escape safely if there is a fire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can use the government’s 5-step checklist<\/a> and risk assessment template. Simple properties may not need a professional assessor, but larger or more complex properties should use someone with the right experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lighting in your holiday let<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Holiday let owners need to make sure that if a fire knocks out internal lighting, there\u2019s enough \u2018borrowed lighting\u2019 such as streetlights for guests to be able to see.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If there isn\u2019t, owners can provide rechargeable torches if the mains supply fails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Larger properties will need more complex automatic emergency lighting systems (check the relevant guidance<\/a> for more information).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read more:<\/strong> Fire safety regulations for landlords<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fire doors in holiday homes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Escape route doors should be solid and close-fitting. These are normally fine unless they\u2019re hollow-core or thin panel doors, which you\u2019ll need to replace. Doors should be able to resist fire for at least 30 minutes. While fitting a self-closing device to exit doors is recommended for extra protection, it\u2019s not a compulsory requirement for every door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make sure doors on escape routes and at exits are easy to open without a key from the inside. Thumb-turn locks are strongly recommended for this reason.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s good practice to check all escape route doors are in good condition, close properly, and haven\u2019t warped or become damaged over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Holiday let smoke alarm regulations<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Holiday let owners are required to have linked, hard-wired smoke detectors<\/a> in all bedrooms and living rooms in their property. They should also make sure heat detectors are installed in kitchens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Complex alarm and fire detection systems should be checked every six months, while it\u2019s recommended that property managers test that alarms are working between each set of guests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fire safety equipment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Owners of holiday lets are required to provide equipment such as fire extinguishers and fire blankets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You must install interlinked smoke alarms in all hallways, staircases, lounges, dining rooms, and bedrooms. These can be hard-wired (Grade D1) or wireless (Grade F1). Heat alarms are required in every kitchen. And long-life sealed battery alarms are acceptable as a temporary solution if they meet the correct standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These alarms should ideally be mains-powered (Grade D1) with a tamper-proof backup battery. Wireless interlinked alarms are fine as long as all alarms sound together when one is triggered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You must test all alarms at each change of occupancy and at least once a month. For more complex alarm systems, such as those found in large properties or blocks of flats, professional maintenance at least every six months is recommended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fire safety in holiday lets \u2013 what is a responsible person?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When reading fire safety regulations, you\u2019ll often come across the term \u2018responsible person\u2019. This is the person or group of people who are responsible for making sure the property is compliant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the case of holiday lets, it could be the owner of the property (the landlord), a holiday let agent<\/a>, or anyone else who has control of the property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What else do holiday let landlords need to be aware of?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alongside the measures listed above, there’s also fire safety rules on the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n