Complying with Fire Safety Law for Sleeping Accommodation Providers in England & Wales

Last Updated on April 14, 2022 by admin

This article offers guidance on fire safety law for sleeping accommodation providers. Almost six years have passed since the law known as the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, was introduced in October 2006. Despite the passing of time, Fire Safety Risk Assessments for holiday home owners remains, if you will excuse the pun, ‘a hot topic’.

As specialist providers of holiday home insurance for UK lets, this topic is raised frequently during discussions that we have with both holiday cottage owners and holiday home letting agents alike. There has been much confusion and speculation banded around the self-catering accommodation industry about the required frequency and content of a suitable assessment.

Complying with Fire Safety Law for Sleeping Accommodation Providers in England & Wales

Thankfully `The Chief Fire Officers Association’ have produced a leaflet containing information on complying with fire safety law for people who provide sleeping accommodation in England and Wales.

The document is entitled: Do You Have Paying Guests? If so, fire safety law applies to you, and you must take action

It also contains an Example Fire Risk Assessment Form for recording significant findings for small accommodation providers.

This leaflet is concise, written in plain language and aimed at the smaller end of the sleeping accommodation market, such as Bed and Breakfast’s, holiday homes, holiday cottages and holiday let apartments.

These documents will assist you as a holiday home owner to comply with your obligations under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Click the links below to find out more:

• Do You Have Paying Guests? If so, fire safety law applies to you, and you must take action
• Example Fire Risk Assessment Form
• Fire Safety for Houses in Multiple Occupation

For Self-Catering holiday cottage owners in Scotland, the Scottish Government has produced the following:

• Fire Safety – Existing premises with sleeping accommodation: practical guidance
• Practical Fire Safety Guidance for small bed and breakfast and Self-Catering Premises

You may also find the following posts for holiday home owners of interest:

• Holiday home gas safety checks
• Solid fuel fire safety for holiday home owners
• Protect yourself and your guests from carbon monoxide poisoning

Follow this link for other useful resources for holiday home owners

Boshers offer specialist holiday home insurance to holiday let and cottage complex owners across the UK. If you need an insurance quote for your holiday let call us on 01237 429444.