Running a holiday let can be a rewarding and fun business. However, it’s important to not get distracted by the fun and to remember important jobs like guest safety.
Fire risk assessments are a crucial part of compliance. They help to protect both your guests and your property, offering peace of mind to everyone involved in your holiday let business.
In this article, we’re going to talk about the legal requirements of running a holiday let, including how often fire risk assessments should be reviewed and what steps you can take to stay compliant.
What is the Legal Requirement for Fire Risk Assessment?
In line with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, any landlord or holiday let owner is legally required to complete a fire risk assessment. This applies to short-term rental properties too, including Airbnb listings, cottages and serviced apartments.
The law puts the responsibility on the “responsible person”, which is usually the property owner or manager. It’s that person’s job to ensure fire risks are adequately identified and managed.
Failing to comply with these regulations can lead to serious consequences. First of all, if there is a fire, there could be serious damage to the property and anyone staying there. Second of all, if the “responsible person” has not properly managed the risk, there could be a fine or even imprisonment for negligence.
To avoid this, property owners or managers must ensure their fire risk assessment is thorough and up to date.
How to Complete a Fire Risk Assessment for Your Holiday Let Property
A fire risk assessment is a systematic review of your property to identify hazards and implement safety measures. Below is a step-by-step process, as a rough guide.
- Identify hazards: First, look for potential hazards. This includes anything that could be an ignition source, like wood burners, open stoves, or poorly maintained heating systems.
- Identify who is at risk: Think about who stays in the property, and ensure there are suitable escape routes. If your holiday let property is popular with the elderly or families with young kids, this is another thing to consider.
- Evaluate and reduce risks: Implement measures to minimise fire hazards. This can include things like:
- Choosing fire-resistant furniture
- Fitting fire extinguishers
- Having a fire blanket near the hob
- Ensuring you have fire alarms and checking that they are working
- Plan for an emergency: Make sure guests know what to do in the event of a fire. Tell them about any fire-fighting equipment, fire escapes and meeting points.
- Record and review your findings: Keep a written record of your findings. This is a legal requirement, but it’s also an important reference in case you do have an incident.
How Often Should Fire Risk Assessments Be Reviewed?
Fire risk assessments are not a one-time task. The law states that they must be regularly reviewed and updated. As a best practice, you should do this once a year. But you might want to do it again if you have an incident or if there is a major change in your property (for example, if you refurbish it).
Book A Fire Risk Assessment with Hawkesworth
We offer holiday let fire risk assessments across the UK. We have a nationwide network of engineers who can offer you brilliant service without the waiting times.
