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Paying guest accommodation

Did you know self-catering holiday properties and premises for short term paying guests are covered under the Fire Safety Order?

The below guides will help you understand what is required to meet compliance, reduce fire risk and help keep your guests and property.

Whichever way you advertise your property for paying guests, you have a responsibility to make sure your guests are safe from fire.

How do I know if this applies to me?

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, it applies to you!

The fire safety order makes you responsible for taking steps to protect all relevant people using your premises from the risk of fire:

Risk assessment

You must carry out a fire risk assessment, which will identify the fire safety measures that you need to have in place to keep everyone safe. This will need to be reviewed at least annually or when there has been significant change or a fire has occurred.

We strongly recommend that the fire risk assessment is carried out by someone with an appropriate level of knowledge and understanding of fire safety.

We do not carry out a fire risk assessment for you but you can find more information within the fire risk assessment section of this site. Your fire risk assessment will also need to consider:

  • Vulnerable guests
  • Smoke alarms and fire detection
  • Emergency lighting
  • Firefighting equipment
  • Anything else that may need considering in relation to your premises

Making sure equipment is serviced

Make sure equipment is serviced and we strongly recommend that you keep records. Periodic checks and servicing will include:

  • Fire alarm systems
  • Gas appliances
  • Electrical appliances
  • Emergency lighting

Look after and maintain your premises

You will need to look after and maintain your premises including emergency escape routes that lead to safety. The attached guides will help you understand all of this.

Remember, It is a legal requirement to comply with fire safety law. If you do not meet your requirements then this may lead to enforcement action, prosecution, fines or imprisonment.