{"id":63071,"date":"2023-11-17T16:21:36","date_gmt":"2023-11-17T16:21:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.carbisbayholidays.co.uk\/blog\/?p=63071"},"modified":"2026-04-07T11:40:38","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T10:40:38","slug":"new-fire-regulations-2023-guidance-for-holiday-lets-in-england","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carbisbayholidays.co.uk\/blog\/new-fire-regulations-2023-guidance-for-holiday-lets-in-england\/","title":{"rendered":"New Fire Regulations 2023: Guidance for Holiday Lets in England\u00a0\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"color: #059aa9;\"><strong>Ensuring the safety of your guests is an important part of being a self-catering accommodation owner. It\u2019s vital for owners to stay up to date with guidance, ensure their properties are compliant with legal requirements, and guarantee the safety of their guests.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>The UK Government has issued new guidance for &#8216;Small Holiday Lets,&#8217; effective from 1st October 2023. This blog goes into the key aspects to help ensure your holiday let meets the required safety standards.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h1>New Fire Regulations 2023<\/h1>\n<p>Click on the quick links below to learn about a specific topic, or continue reading our full guide to understand what the fire safety regulations mean for you.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#1\"><u><b>What is the new fire safety guidance?<\/b><\/u><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#2\"><u><b>Carrying out a risk assessment<\/b><\/u><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#3\"><u><b>Examples of fire hazards<\/b><\/u><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#4\"><u><b>Fire protection measures<\/b><\/u><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#5\"><u><b>What types of properties does the new guidance apply to?<\/b><\/u><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#6\"><u><b>How Carbis Bay Holidays can help you<\/b><\/u><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h2 id=\"1\">What is the new fire safety guidance?<\/h2>\n<p>We\u2019ve explained the new fire safety regulations in the sections below. Remember, this is just a brief overview of the new guidance, and you shouldn\u2019t depend upon it when making your holiday property fire-safe. Please read the full <a href=\"https:\/\/assets.publishing.service.gov.uk\/government\/uploads\/system\/uploads\/attachment_data\/file\/1147723\/A_guide_to_making_your_small_paying-guest-accommodation_safe_from_fire.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Government guide<\/a> to make sure your accommodation is safe and compliant.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-63082\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carbisbayholidays.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2023\/11\/Fire-Risk-Assessment-CBH.jpg\" alt=\"Fire risk assessment icon overlaid on an interior shot of a Carbis Bay Holidays self catering property\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" \/><\/h3>\n<h3 id=\"2\">Carrying out a fire risk assessment<\/h3>\n<p>Those who own a small holiday let must carry out, and act on, a fire risk assessment of their accommodation. For this you\u2019ll have to inspect your property to identify any fire hazards, put measures in place to prevent fires breaking out, and take precautions to protect those in your holiday let in the event of a fire. This doesn\u2019t just mean guests &#8211; you should also consider staff and anyone else who uses your property.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f2f2f2; padding: 32px 32px 32px 32px; border-radius: 10px;\">\n<p><strong>Can I do my own fire risk assessment?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Government guidance says that for small accommodations, fire risk assessments \u2018can be completed, in most cases, without specialist knowledge\u2019 by referring to the guide. The guidance also has a useful risk assessment template included.However, if you\u2019re not confident doing it independently, it\u2019s a good idea to seek assistance from a specialised fire risk assessor. The Fire Sector Federation publishes guidance on choosing a competent fire risk assessor.It\u2019s important to remember that you\u2019re ultimately responsible for the safety of your own property. This means you must satisfy yourself that the measures you have put in place are adequate and justifiable. You should therefore ensure that any advice you receive is of sufficient quality.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 id=\"3\">Examples of fire hazards<\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-63083\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carbisbayholidays.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2023\/11\/Fire-Hazard-CBH.jpg\" alt=\"Fire hazard icon overlaid on an interior shot of a Carbis Bay Holidays self catering property\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Your risk assessment should list all of the fire hazards within your property and either remove them or take actions to reduce the level of risk they cause. We\u2019ve listed some examples of hazards set out in the Government guidance below:<\/p>\n<h4>Electrical installations &amp; equipment<\/h4>\n<p>Electricals are a common cause of fire, so it&#8217;s crucial to regularly inspect equipment in line with regulations, like an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). There\u2019s more information on this in the Government\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/assets.publishing.service.gov.uk\/government\/uploads\/system\/uploads\/attachment_data\/file\/1147723\/A_guide_to_making_your_small_paying-guest-accommodation_safe_from_fire.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Holiday Let Fire Safety guide<\/a>, and more specific electrical safety guidance on the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hse.gov.uk\/electricity\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Government website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h4>Smoking<\/h4>\n<p>Smoking is a serious fire hazard and the most common cause of fatalities from domestic fires. Although it\u2019s not illegal for guests to smoke in private spaces like bedrooms, the safest bet is not to allow smoking throughout your holiday property. If this is the route you\u2019re taking, there should be signs in your property to make it clear that guests aren\u2019t allowed to smoke. At Carbis Bay Holidays, we do not allow guests to smoke in the self-catering properties we let, and this is stated in our listings.<\/p>\n<h4>Arson<\/h4>\n<p>The prospect of arson in your holiday let is a frightening one, but it\u2019s still important to consider. You should ensure a good level of security to prevent unauthorised access and remove refuse and rubbish bins away from the property, especially windows, to prevent fire spreading from outside.<\/p>\n<h4>Heating<\/h4>\n<p>Heating systems should have maintenance checks carried out annually, by a qualified contractor. You should avoid using portable heaters as these pose a significant risk. If you must use them, make sure they\u2019re placed away from combustible materials and fire escape routes. Some types of heater are known to be dangerous and shouldn\u2019t be used at all \u2013 these are described in the <a href=\"https:\/\/assets.publishing.service.gov.uk\/government\/uploads\/system\/uploads\/attachment_data\/file\/1147723\/A_guide_to_making_your_small_paying-guest-accommodation_safe_from_fire.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Government guidance PDF<\/a>, along with a list of considerations for those with log burners.<\/p>\n<h4>Cooking<\/h4>\n<p>As a source of heat, cooking equipment is naturally a fire hazard. Luckily for holiday home owners, there are several measures which can be taken to make ovens and cooking equipment safer, which are listed in the guidance document. These measures depend on the type of oven you have, but all cooking equipment requires regular maintenance and cleaning to reduce fire risk.<\/p>\n<h4>Candles<\/h4>\n<p>We know candles can create a cosy ambience for guests, but they do pose a significant fire risk. You shouldn\u2019t provide candles for guests, and it\u2019s a good idea to suggest they don\u2019t use candles of their own.<\/p>\n<h4>Housekeeping<\/h4>\n<p>Good housekeeping is important for the presentation of your holiday property, but it\u2019s also a key factor in keeping your accommodation safe. All refuse should be removed regularly, and combustible materials need to be kept away from any ignition sources. Escape routes must be kept clear of rubbish or storage so guests can leave as quickly as possible when they need to.<\/p>\n<h4>Furniture and furnishings<\/h4>\n<p>All furniture and furnishings need to comply with the Furniture and Furnishings Fire Safety Regulations 1988.<\/p>\n<h4>Contractors<\/h4>\n<p>Many fires are caused during the work of contractors and tradespeople. It\u2019s essential to make sure all contractors are suitably qualified and that, when hot work is carried out, the correct safety measures are taken.<\/p>\n<h4>Dangerous substances<\/h4>\n<p>Dangerous substances need to be stored in the correct way. Barbecues or fire pits should be placed a safe distance away from the accommodation, and never on a balcony. Gas for barbecues should always be used according to manufacturer\u2019s instructions and these instructions should be provided for guests.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 id=\"4\">Fire protection measures<\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-63084\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carbisbayholidays.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2023\/11\/Fire-Safety-Measures-CBH.jpg\" alt=\"Fire extinguisher icon overlaid on an interior shot of a Carbis Bay Holidays self catering property\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" \/><\/p>\n<h4>Fire escape routes<\/h4>\n<p>It\u2019s a legal requirement to have fire escape routes in your accommodation to allow people to escape as quickly and safely as possible. It\u2019s important to consider who will be using your property, including elderly people, those with disabilities, or children, and ensure the route is suitable for them. Escape routes should have walls and doors which are fire safe to reduce spread of fire onto the route. There\u2019s more information about this in the <a href=\"https:\/\/assets.publishing.service.gov.uk\/government\/uploads\/system\/uploads\/attachment_data\/file\/1147723\/A_guide_to_making_your_small_paying-guest-accommodation_safe_from_fire.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Government guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h4>Emergency lighting<\/h4>\n<p>In the event of a fire, your escape route must be well lit so guests can easily find a way out with minimal risk. You should consider lighting in the event that your electrical supply fails, whether it\u2019s relying on street lighting outside or providing additional lighting which doesn\u2019t rely on the property\u2019s circuitry. This could range from night lights and easily accessible torches to specialist emergency lighting.<\/p>\n<h4>Fire escape signs<\/h4>\n<p>Escape signs are not essential for small properties where escape routes are clear to anyone using the property. For example, in a shepherd\u2019s hut with only one walkway, it\u2019s obvious how to escape. On the other hand, larger properties are likely to need signage which points guests in the right direction in the event of a fire.<\/p>\n<h4>Firefighting equipment<\/h4>\n<p>Guest\u2019s greatest priority should be escaping accommodation safely, so they shouldn\u2019t be expected to use fire fighting equipment. However, where staff are likely to be present, appropriate equipment should be supplied. It\u2019s important to keep equipment maintained and provide instructions for use in line with guidance.<\/p>\n<p>Although guests aren\u2019t expected to use fire-fighting equipment, it\u2019s not a bad idea to supply a small multi-purpose fire extinguisher and\/or fire blanket in the kitchen area, where fires are likely to break out.<\/p>\n<p>Suitable multi-purpose extinguishers, guaranteed for five years, can be bought from most larger DIY outlets. The gauge should be checked regularly to ensure the \u2018stored pressure\u2019 is correct. Low maintenance 10-year extinguishers are also available. Powder fire extinguishers should not be used, as these aren\u2019t suitable for enclosed spaces.<\/p>\n<h4>Fire detection and alarms<\/h4>\n<p>You should have smoke alarms fitted in all bedrooms and common areas. You can also choose to use heat alarms in kitchens and other areas where smoke from cooking may cause a false alarm. There should also be a smoke alarm in your roof space if there are combustible materials here. Smoke and heat alarms should be interlinked so they sound simultaneously when a fire is detected.<\/p>\n<h4>Escape Plan<\/h4>\n<p>Most guests are unlikely to be familiar with your property\u2019s layout. For this reason, you should supply a simple escape drawing to make sure they know where to go if a fire breaks out.<\/p>\n<h4>Maintenance and testing<\/h4>\n<p>Once you\u2019ve implemented your fire safety measures, it\u2019s essential to carry out regular testing and maintenance &#8211; a great fire safety plan is useless if it no longer works in real circumstances. There\u2019s a comprehensive list of the tests you need to carry out in the <a href=\"https:\/\/assets.publishing.service.gov.uk\/government\/uploads\/system\/uploads\/attachment_data\/file\/1147723\/A_guide_to_making_your_small_paying-guest-accommodation_safe_from_fire.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Government guidance document<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h4>Carbon monoxide detectors<\/h4>\n<p>These aren\u2019t mentioned in the Government\u2019s new guidance but are essential for keeping people safe in your holiday accommodation. It\u2019s a legal requirement that carbon monoxide detectors are fitted in any room where solid fuel is burned, for example by a log burner or open fire.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s also advisable to have them in any room with a gas appliance, such as a gas boiler or oven, as Carbon Monoxide can be created by faulty gas appliances.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2 id=\"5\">What types of property does the new guidance apply to?<\/h2>\n<p>The guidance applies to holiday accommodations sleeping less than 10 people, with no more than 4 bedrooms on the first floor. This includes all accommodation types, including cottages, chalets, caravans and glamping pods.<\/p>\n<p>It only covers accommodations on either the ground floor or the ground and first floor, meaning properties with more than 2 levels aren\u2019t addressed by this guidance. If your holiday let has more than 2 floors, it should adhere to the <a href=\"https:\/\/assets.publishing.service.gov.uk\/government\/uploads\/system\/uploads\/attachment_data\/file\/1147723\/A_guide_to_making_your_small_paying-guest-accommodation_safe_from_fire.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Government guidance<\/a> on premises with paying guest sleeping accommodation.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2 id=\"6\">How Carbis Bay Holidays can assist you<\/h2>\n<p>Owners who use Carbis Bay Holidays can rest assured that we\u2019ll provide them with guides to property safety and legal regulations. We\u2019ll also be happy to suggest professional fire risk assessors to help you carry out your risk assessment.<\/p>\n<p>Although we can\u2019t advise you on, and aren\u2019t responsible for, fire safety at your property, we hope that by doing these things we\u2019re starting you off on the right foot. You can then read into the matter further and seek your own advice as and when you feel it\u2019s needed.<\/p>\n<p>To learn more about letting your property through Carbis Bay Holidays, call us on <strong>01736 630015<\/strong> or <strong>complete the form below<\/strong>. Our team will be in touch to answer any questions, with a copy of our FREE Owner Guide.<\/p>\n<div style=\"margin-top: -25px; margin-bottom: 20px;\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/sykescottages.jotform.com\/jsform\/260642757710963\"><\/script><\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<p><em>As a holiday letting owner you are responsible for compliance with health &amp; safety laws, regulations and guidance, and for having suitable insurances in place (not Sykes Holiday Cottages or its brands (Sykes)). From time to time, Sykes shares information with you on the topic of health and safety and insurance. When it does so, it is not providing you with advice (legal, financial, tax or otherwise); please seek your own as you see fit. In addition, it is not making any representations or warranties about the information being complete or free from errors or inaccuracies. Sykes shall not be liable for any loss or damage arising under or in connection with your reliance on it.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ensuring the safety of your guests is an important part of being a self-catering accommodation owner. It\u2019s vital for owners to stay up to date with guidance, ensure their properties are compliant with legal requirements, and guarantee the safety of their guests. The UK Government has issued new guidance for &#8216;Small Holiday Lets,&#8217; effective from [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":173,"featured_media":63080,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[309],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-63071","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cottage-owners"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.carbisbayholidays.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63071","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.carbisbayholidays.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.carbisbayholidays.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carbisbayholidays.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/173"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carbisbayholidays.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=63071"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/www.carbisbayholidays.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63071\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":64144,"href":"https:\/\/www.carbisbayholidays.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63071\/revisions\/64144"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carbisbayholidays.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/63080"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.carbisbayholidays.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=63071"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carbisbayholidays.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=63071"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carbisbayholidays.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=63071"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}