Hazardous Substances: COSHH basics for holiday let owners

Last Updated on October 6, 2025 by admin

Running a holiday home is hugely rewarding – but it also comes with responsibilities and compliance requirements, especially when it comes to safety. One area that often gets overlooked is the everyday products we keep under the sink, in the shed, or in the garage. Cleaning fluids, garden treatments, fuels – they’re all things we might use without thinking twice, but in the wrong hands they can pose real risks.

In this guide, we’ll look at some of the common hazards in holiday lets, how to store them safely, and the simple steps you can take to protect guests, cleaners, and yourself.

Guest safety obligations- why it matters

Hazardous substances can harm in several ways: they can be breathed in, splash into eyes or onto skin, or even be accidentally swallowed by children or vulnerable guests. Some products act quickly – like bleach, strong limescale remover, or weed killer, while others, such as dust, fumes, or asbestos, might only cause problems years down the line.

Even less obvious hazards exist: pigeon droppings, discarded needles, or fumes from using fuels in a poorly ventilated space. The important thing to remember is that while these substances can be harmful, if handled and stored correctly they rarely are.

Identifying hazardous substances, assessing exposure and safe storage

Here are a few of the most common ones we see:

 

  • Household cleaners (bleach, oven cleaner, toilet descaler)
  • Garden products (weed killers, insect sprays, fertilisers)
  • Fuels like petrol, oil, or diesel
  • Old or unlabelled bottles of chemicals you’ve forgotten about
  • Paints, glues, or other DIY products
  • Large amounts of bird droppings in lofts or outbuildings
  • Sharps such as discarded needles (sometimes found in bins or gardens)
  • Tasks that create dust, like sanding or drilling

 

Simple steps to keep your let safe

 

COSHH in holiday lets: assessments, storage & training

The good news is, managing these risks isn’t complicated. A few common-sense measures go a long way:

  • Switch to safer alternatives where possible (e.g. less toxic cleaning sprays).
  • Buy and store only what you need – avoid stockpiling.
  • Keep substances locked away or out of reach of guests and children.
  • Use the right containers – never decant products into bottles that could confuse someone.
  • Store flammables safely in suitable, fire-resistant containers.
  • Ensure safe storage for chlorine/bromine & acids
  • Dispose of unused or mystery chemicals properly – your local council can advise.
  • Ensure good ventilation when using fuels or strong cleaners.
  • Protect yourself with gloves or other basic PPE if handling strong chemicals.

 

Holiday let owners and your duty of care

Even if you don’t employ staff, as the owner of a holiday let you still have a responsibility to make sure your property is safe. If you do employ cleaners, gardeners, or maintenance staff, then specific health and safety rules (like COSHH – Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) may apply, and you’ll need to carry out proper risk assessments.

Legal requirement info can be found from HSEL here

But for most smaller lets, keeping a simple record of what substances, you have, how they’re stored, and what precautions you’ve taken is enough. And importantly – check regularly to make sure those measures are still in place.

As a holiday home owner, your priority is giving guests a safe, relaxing stay. Taking a little time to check what’s lurking in the cupboard under the sink or in the garden shed isn’t just good housekeeping – it’s part of being a responsible host. Store things safely, keep notes of what you’ve done, and you’ll have peace of mind knowing you’ve taken sensible precautions.

Want more help?

For policy or claims queries, get in touch with us here at Boshers and we’ll be happy to help. Ensure that you have appropriate Holiday Home Insurance , including public liability cover.

Call our expert team on 01237 429 444

 

This guidance is provided for information purposes and is general and educational in nature and does not constitute legal advice. You are free to choose whether or not to use it and it should not be considered a substitute for seeking professional help in specific circumstances. Boshers shall not be liable for any losses, damages, charges or expenses, whether direct, indirect, or consequential and howsoever arising, that you suffer or incur as a result of or in connection with your use or reliance on the information provided in this guidance except for those which cannot be excluded by law. Where this guidance contains links to other sites and resources provided by third parties, these links are provided for your information only.

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