If you run a holiday let (short-term rental) in the UK, you must follow fire safety rules under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The person responsible (usually the owner or manager) must ensure guests are safe from fire risks.
Below is a practical guide to making your holiday let fire-safety compliant.
1. Carry Out a Fire Risk Assessment
You are legally required to do a fire risk assessment.
This means you must:
Identify fire hazards (electrical items, cooking equipment, heaters).
Identify people at risk (guests, children, disabled guests).
Reduce or remove risks.
Record your findings (recommended even if small property).
Review regularly.
Typical hazards to check:
Overloaded plug sockets
Faulty appliances
Candles or open flames
Blocked exits
If you’re unsure, you can hire a professional fire risk assessor.
2. Install Smoke and Heat Alarms
You must install alarms that meet UK standards.
Recommended setup:
Smoke alarms
One on each floor
In hallways and landing areas
Heat alarm
In the kitchen (instead of smoke to avoid false alarms)
Good practice:
Use interlinked alarms (when one sounds, all sound).
Test alarms between guest stays.
3. Provide Fire Fighting Equipment
Most UK holiday lets should provide basic fire equipment.
Typical requirements:
Fire blanket
In the kitchen
Fire extinguisher
Usually a 1–2 kg dry powder or foam extinguisher
Located in the kitchen or near exit routes
Important:
Equipment should be serviced annually.
Guests should not be expected to fight fires, but equipment can help with small incidents.
4. Provide Clear Escape Routes
Guests must be able to escape quickly.
Requirements:
At least one clear escape route from every room.
Doors and hallways must not be blocked.
Windows should open easily if used as escape routes.
Keys should be easy to find (avoid locked exits).
For larger properties, emergency lighting may be needed.
5. Display Fire Safety Information
Provide simple instructions for guests.
Example information to display:
What to do if there is a fire
How to exit the property
Emergency contact numbers
Where the meeting point is
This can be placed:
in the welcome folder
on the back of bedroom doors
6. Electrical and Gas Safety
To reduce fire risk, you should also ensure:
Electrical safety
Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) every 5 years
Portable appliances checked regularly (PAT testing recommended)
Gas safety
Annual inspection by a Gas Safe engineer
Gas Safety Certificate
7. Furniture and Furnishings Regulations
All furniture must comply with the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988.
This means:
Sofas, mattresses, cushions must be fire-resistant.
Items should have fire safety labels.
8. Carbon Monoxide Protection
Install carbon monoxide alarms if you have:
gas boilers
log burners
fireplaces
solid fuel stoves
place alarms near sleeping areas
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