Fire Risk Assessment for Airbnb Lets: What Hosts Need to Know

If you’re one of the thousands of people across the UK renting out a property—or even just a spare room—on Airbnb, you’ve probably spent time thinking about your guests’ experience. Clean towels? Check. Great photos? Check. Fast Wi-Fi? Absolutely.

But what about fire safety?

One area that many hosts overlook is their legal duty to carry out a fire risk assessment. Whether you host occasionally or run multiple properties, if you’re taking paying guests through Airbnb, you’re operating a business—and that means fire safety laws apply.

In this post, we’ll explain what that means for you as a host, what a fire risk assessment involves, and how to make sure your Airbnb is not only guest-ready—but legally compliant and genuinely safe.

Do Airbnb Hosts Really Need a Fire Risk Assessment?

Yes—if you rent out a property (or even part of one) on Airbnb, you are classed as a business under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

This means you are the Responsible Person and legally required to:

• Carry out a Fire Risk Assessment
• Take reasonable steps to reduce fire risk
• Provide fire safety information to guests
• Ensure escape routes and fire detection systems are suitable

It doesn’t matter whether you let a room in your home occasionally or manage several holiday cottages—the same principle applies.

And as of October 2023, all fire risk assessments must be recorded in writing, no matter how small or informal the setup.

What Does a Fire Risk Assessment for an Airbnb Include?

A proper fire risk assessment looks at your property from the perspective of how a fire might start, who could be affected, and how they would get out safely.

It should cover:

• Sources of ignition (e.g. cooking appliances, candles, log burners, electrics)
• Flammable materials (e.g. furniture, soft furnishings, rubbish)
• Escape routes (are they clear, accessible, and well-signed?)
• Smoke and heat alarms (are they present, tested, and working?)
• Fire-fighting equipment (like a fire blanket or extinguisher)
• Emergency lighting or torches (especially useful for rural or unfamiliar locations)
• Guest fire safety instructions (easy to find and easy to understand)

It’s not just about ticking boxes—it’s about making sure your guests, who may not know the property or layout, can get out quickly and safely in the event of a fire.

Can I Do It Myself

If your property is simple (say, a single-storey flat or a small cottage) and you’re confident in your fire safety knowledge, you can carry out your own fire risk assessment—as long as you are competent to do so.

But that’s a big “if.” To be competent, you need to understand fire hazards, evacuation planning, the behaviour of fire in buildings, and current regulations.

If you’re unsure—or your property is a bit more complex (think: stairs, multiple rooms, or attached properties)—then it’s best to bring in a qualified fire risk assessor.

At ESI: Electrical Safety Inspections, we help Airbnb hosts across Hampshire, Surrey, and Berkshire stay safe and compliant with easy-to-understand, professional assessments tailored to short-term lets.

What Could Go Wrong Without One?

Skipping the fire risk assessment might seem like no big deal—until something happens.

Without one, you could face:

• Legal issues, including enforcement notices or fines
• Insurance claims being denied after a fire
• Guest complaints or negative reviews if something seems unsafe
• Real risk to life in an emergency

And with fire services and local councils now keeping a closer eye on short-term lets, especially in densely populated or heritage areas, it’s not worth the risk.

Airbnb’s Own Fire Safety Advice

Airbnb recommends that all hosts install working smoke and CO alarms, provide clear emergency exit routes, and follow local laws.

But what many hosts don’t realise is that, in the UK, this isn’t just a recommendation—it’s a legal requirement.

Completing a fire risk assessment and acting on its findings is the best way to protect your guests—and your property.

What You Should Have in Place

Here’s a quick-fire Airbnb fire safety checklist:

✅ Smoke alarms on each floor
✅ Heat alarm in the kitchen
✅ Carbon monoxide alarm (if you have gas appliances or log burners)
✅ Fire blanket and/or small extinguisher
✅ Clearly marked escape routes
✅ Guest instructions for emergencies
✅ Written fire risk assessment reviewed annually

At ESI, we help hosts like you with all of the above—and make it straightforward, affordable, and fully compliant.

Final Thoughts

If you’re welcoming paying guests through Airbnb, you have a legal duty to keep them safe. That starts with a written fire risk assessment and ends with the confidence that you’ve done everything you can to protect your guests, your property, and your peace of mind.

Need help getting your Airbnb up to fire safety standards?

📞 Get in touch with ESI today. We work with Airbnb hosts, short-let landlords, and agents across Camberley, Farnborough, Guildford, Reading, Basingstoke, and throughout Surrey, Hampshire, and Berkshire.

We’ll help you stay compliant, protect your guests—and keep those 5-star reviews rolling in.