Holiday let fire and gas safety rules in England
All 24 rules we track for small self-catering holiday lets, with how often, who does it, and the official source. Not every rule applies to every property: the free checker shows yours.
Rules pack v0.1.0, last reviewed 2026-10-25. Scope: Self-catering houses, cottages and chalets (ground or ground + first floor, up to 10 guests, max 4 first-floor bedrooms) and individual flats let to paying guests and not occupied as a private dwelling.
Legal requirement
Written fire risk assessment
You must carry out a fire risk assessment, record the findings, and keep it under regular review. An annual review is usually appropriate, plus a review after any significant change or a fire.
- How often
- Every year
- Who
- Owner (small simple premises) or a competent fire risk assessor
- Source
- A guide to making your small paying-guest-accommodation safe from fire (Home Office, Article 50 guidance, Nov 2024 version)
Legal requirement
Annual gas safety check (Landlord Gas Safety Record)
Every gas appliance, flue and pipework you provide must be checked every 12 months by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Keep each record for at least 2 years.
- How often
- Every year
- Who
- Gas Safe registered engineer
- Source
- HSE: Gas safety - landlords and letting agents
Legal requirement
Gas safety record displayed in the property
For short stays, a copy of the current gas safety record should be on display where guests can see it.
- How often
- At every changeover
- Who
- Owner or cleaner
- Source
- HSE: Gas safety check records and what to keep
Official recommendation
Interlinked smoke and heat alarms
Interlinked smoke alarms in hallways, landings, lounges, dining rooms and bedrooms, plus a heat alarm in the kitchen. Mains-powered with a tamper-proof battery backup (Grade D1). Sealed long-life battery alarms (Grade F1) may be accepted short-term, for around 2-3 years.
- How often
- Once, then keep in place
- Who
- Competent electrician (mains-powered alarms)
- Source
- A guide to making your small paying-guest-accommodation safe from fire (Home Office, Article 50 guidance, Nov 2024 version)
Official recommendation
Test all smoke and heat alarms
In self-catering premises, test every smoke and heat alarm at each change of guests, and keep a record.
- How often
- At every changeover
- Who
- Owner or cleaner
- Source
- A guide to making your small paying-guest-accommodation safe from fire (Home Office, Article 50 guidance, Nov 2024 version)
Official recommendation
Monthly alarm test
Test domestic smoke and heat alarms monthly to make sure they work and are loud enough to wake a sleeping person.
- How often
- Every month
- Who
- Owner or staff
- Source
- A guide to making your small paying-guest-accommodation safe from fire (Home Office, Article 50 guidance, Nov 2024 version)
Good practice
Replace smoke alarms at end of life
Smoke alarms typically last around 10 years; check each model's expiry date.
- How often
- Every 10 years
- Who
- Owner or electrician
- Source
- A guide to making your small paying-guest-accommodation safe from fire (Home Office, Article 50 guidance, Nov 2024 version)
Official recommendation
Carbon monoxide alarm
Provide carbon monoxide detectors where the accommodation has a gas or solid-fuel appliance.
- How often
- Once, then keep in place
- Who
- Owner
- Source
- A guide to making your small paying-guest-accommodation safe from fire (Home Office, Article 50 guidance, Nov 2024 version)
Official recommendation
Annual heating and hot water service
Heating and hot water systems should be maintained annually by a qualified contractor.
- How often
- Every year
- Who
- Qualified heating contractor
- Source
- A guide to making your small paying-guest-accommodation safe from fire (Home Office, Article 50 guidance, Nov 2024 version)
Official recommendation
Chimney sweep
Sweep the chimney at least annually. Provide a fire or spark guard, a metal ash bin, and guest instructions.
- How often
- Every year
- Who
- Chimney sweep
- Source
- A guide to making your small paying-guest-accommodation safe from fire (Home Office, Article 50 guidance, Nov 2024 version)
Official recommendation
LPG cut-off device
An LPG cooker should have cut-off devices on the pipework from the external supply to the appliance.
- How often
- Once, then keep in place
- Who
- Gas Safe registered engineer
- Source
- A guide to making your small paying-guest-accommodation safe from fire (Home Office, Article 50 guidance, Nov 2024 version)
Official recommendation
Electrical installation inspection (EICR)
Your wiring must have been checked by a qualified contractor. The installation should be inspected and tested at least every five years.
- How often
- Every 5 years
- Who
- Competent electrical contractor (e.g. NICEIC or ECA registered)
- Source
- A guide to making your small paying-guest-accommodation safe from fire (Home Office, Article 50 guidance, Nov 2024 version)
Official recommendation
Visual check of electrical appliances
Between lets, check that appliances, plugs and cables look undamaged. Avoid extension leads and adaptors where practicable, and check appliances against recall lists.
- How often
- At every changeover
- Who
- Owner or cleaner
- Source
- A guide to making your small paying-guest-accommodation safe from fire (Home Office, Article 50 guidance, Nov 2024 version)
Legal requirement
Escape routes clear, exits openable without a key
Escape routes must be kept clear of obstructions. Exit doors must open from the inside without a key (a latch or thumb turn).
- How often
- At every changeover
- Who
- Owner or cleaner
- Source
- A guide to making your small paying-guest-accommodation safe from fire (Home Office, Article 50 guidance, Nov 2024 version)
Official recommendation
Test emergency lights or torches
In self-catering premises, test the emergency escape lights or the rechargeable torches in each bedroom at each change of guests.
- How often
- At every changeover
- Who
- Owner or cleaner
- Source
- A guide to making your small paying-guest-accommodation safe from fire (Home Office, Article 50 guidance, Nov 2024 version)
Official recommendation
Monthly emergency lighting or torch test
Monthly functional test of emergency escape lights or the rechargeable torches in each bedroom.
- How often
- Every month
- Who
- Owner or staff
- Source
- A guide to making your small paying-guest-accommodation safe from fire (Home Office, Article 50 guidance, Nov 2024 version)
Official recommendation
Emergency lighting annual service
Fitted emergency escape lighting should be serviced annually by a competent contractor.
- How often
- Every year
- Who
- Competent contractor
- Source
- A guide to making your small paying-guest-accommodation safe from fire (Home Office, Article 50 guidance, Nov 2024 version)
Official recommendation
Fire extinguisher service
Extinguishers, where provided, should be serviced annually. Check the pressure gauge regularly. Guests are not expected to use them; a fire blanket and small extinguisher in the kitchen are optional in self-catering.
- How often
- Every year
- Who
- Competent contractor
- Source
- A guide to making your small paying-guest-accommodation safe from fire (Home Office, Article 50 guidance, Nov 2024 version)
Official recommendation
Fire doors check
Every six months, check fire doors are undamaged and fit their frames.
- How often
- Every 6 months
- Who
- Owner
- Source
- A guide to making your small paying-guest-accommodation safe from fire (Home Office, Article 50 guidance, Nov 2024 version)
Legal requirement
Furniture meets fire safety regulations
Upholstered furniture and furnishings must comply with the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988, usually shown by a label on each item.
- How often
- Once, then keep in place
- Who
- Owner
- Source
- A guide to making your small paying-guest-accommodation safe from fire (Home Office, Article 50 guidance, Nov 2024 version)
Legal requirement
Fire action notice and guest information
You must have fire procedures and make guests aware of them: a fire action notice, escape route and exit details, how to call emergency services, and the correct address including postcode.
- How often
- At every changeover
- Who
- Owner
- Source
- A guide to making your small paying-guest-accommodation safe from fire (Home Office, Article 50 guidance, Nov 2024 version)
Official recommendation
Testing and maintenance log
Keep a record of testing and maintenance, as a log book or electronically.
- How often
- At every changeover
- Who
- Owner or cleaner
- Source
- A guide to making your small paying-guest-accommodation safe from fire (Home Office, Article 50 guidance, Nov 2024 version)
Legal requirement
Legionella risk assessment
Assess the risk of Legionella in the water system and record it.
- How often
- Every 2 years
- Who
- Owner (simple domestic systems) or water hygiene specialist
Coming soon
Register on England's short-term let register
England's national registration scheme is expected to start in March 2027. Registration is expected to require evidence of health and safety compliance.
- How often
- Once, then keep in place (expected from 2027-03)
- Who
- Owner
- Source
- Clyde & Co: England's short-let registration scheme, expected March 2027 (Oct 2026)