If you own a holiday let, Airbnb, short-term rental, or serviced accommodation, you probably already know you have a duty to keep your guests safe.
But did you know that includes having a fire risk assessment in place?
Many property owners mistakenly believe fire safety laws only apply to hotels or large guesthouses—but that’s not the case.
If you rent out your property—even just occasionally—it’s classed as a business. That means you have legal responsibilities under fire safety law, including the need for a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment.
In this post, we’ll explain what the law says, what your fire risk assessment should include, and how to make sure your holiday let is safe, compliant, and guest-ready.
Why Fire Safety Law Applies to Holiday Lets
The key piece of legislation here is the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which applies to all non-domestic premises. That includes:
- Holiday cottages
- Airbnb-style short-term lets
- Serviced apartments
- Glamping pods, yurts, cabins, and shepherd’s huts
- Annexes or rooms let to paying guests
If guests are staying in your property and paying to be there, it becomes a commercial activity—and you become the Responsible Person under fire safety law. That means you’re legally required to carry out a fire risk assessment and take steps to reduce risk.
This applies whether you let through Airbnb, Booking.com, a holiday agency, or even just a few weekends a year on your own terms.
What Should a Fire Risk Assessment for a Holiday Let Include?
A fire risk assessment for a holiday let isn’t just a box-ticking exercise—it’s about protecting lives and making sure your guests can evacuate safely in an emergency.
A proper assessment should cover:
- Sources of ignition (heaters, cookers, log burners, electrical appliances)
- Sources of fuel (furniture, curtains, cleaning products, waste materials)
- Escape routes (are they clear, accessible, and easy to use?)
- Fire detection and warning systems (working smoke/heat alarms in the right places)
- Emergency lighting (especially important in unfamiliar properties)
- Fire-fighting equipment (extinguishers and fire blankets)
- Instructions for guests (clear and visible evacuation info)
- Consideration of vulnerable guests (children, elderly, or disabled visitors)
You also need to record your assessment in writing, as per the October 2023 update to fire safety regulations—which applies even to small holiday lets.
Do I Need a Professional to Do It?
The law says the assessment must be carried out by someone “competent”—meaning they have enough knowledge, training, and experience to do it properly.
If your holiday let is simple and low risk (like a single-storey cottage with straightforward escape routes), you might feel confident using official government guides and templates.
But for larger, more complex, or higher-risk properties, or if you’re unsure about your fire safety knowledge, it’s highly recommended to bring in a qualified fire risk assessor.
At ESI: Electrical Safety Inspections, we carry out fire risk assessments for holiday lets across Hampshire, Surrey, and Berkshire. We work with Airbnb hosts, landlords, and agents to make fire safety simple, clear, and compliant—without the stress.
What Can Go Wrong Without One?
If you don’t have a fire risk assessment—or it isn’t suitable or sufficient—you’re leaving yourself open to:
- Legal consequences (including fines or prosecution)
- Insurance issues (claims may be rejected if you weren’t compliant)
- Guest safety risks (in the event of a fire, inadequate precautions could be fatal)
- Bad reviews or reputational damage (especially if guests feel unsafe)
Fire services and local councils are increasingly aware of the risks posed by short-term rentals, and inspections are becoming more common.
Our Holiday Let Fire Safety Checklist
Here’s a quick overview of what you should have in place:
✅ Working smoke alarms on each floor
✅ Heat detector in kitchen
✅ Carbon monoxide alarm (if there’s a gas boiler or solid fuel stove)
✅ Clear escape routes with no obstacles
✅ Fire extinguisher and fire blanket (especially in kitchens)
✅ Guest info pack with fire safety instructions
✅ Written fire risk assessment, reviewed annually or after changes
Need help ticking all those boxes? That’s where we come in.
Final Thoughts
If you’re renting out a property—even just for a few weekends a year—you have a legal and moral responsibility to ensure it’s safe for your guests. A fire risk assessment is not optional—it’s the foundation of your fire safety plan.
The good news? With the right help, it’s easy to get it right.
Need a fire risk assessment for your holiday let?
📞 Contact ESI today or book online. We provide fast, professional assessments for landlords and holiday property owners across Camberley, Farnborough, Guildford, Basingstoke, Reading, and the wider Hampshire, Surrey, and Berkshire areas.
We’ll help you stay safe, legal, and ready for your next booking.
