{"id":27339,"date":"2023-09-27T10:07:36","date_gmt":"2023-09-27T09:07:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.propertysurveying.co.uk\/newsletter\/?page_id=27339"},"modified":"2023-11-30T14:09:20","modified_gmt":"2023-11-30T13:09:20","slug":"new-fire-safety-rules-for-all-holiday-let-property","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.propertysurveying.co.uk\/newsletter\/?page_id=27339","title":{"rendered":"New fire safety rules for all holiday let property"},"content":{"rendered":"

New rules for fire safety compliance in holiday let property come into effect from 1st October 2023, which include home owners and landlords letting out a spare room. The rules follow government guidance on fire safety issued in March by the Home Office, and affect all \u201csmall paying guest accommodation\u201d properties, including those promoted through AirBnB and other booking platforms.<\/p>\n

The penalty for breaking the rules is an unlimited fine or imprisonment for up to two years, and the landlord will be forced to cease letting the property.<\/p>\n

Prior to 1st October, \u201csmaller\u201d holiday let businesses (those employing fewer than five staff) were required to have a fire assessment but were not required to have one in writing. From 1st October 2023, anyone who lets a property for even one night or more must have a written fire safety risk assessment, either written by themselves or by someone on their behalf.<\/p>\n

What is a risk assessment?<\/h5>\n

The risk assessment should include an action plan which details any necessary measure to improve fire protection and prevention, and be regularly reviewed to make sure it is up to date.<\/p>\n

There are basically two aspects of fire protection: passive and active. Passive fire measures are the physical factors that contain or compartmentalise the fire, providing sufficient time for occupants to escape. Active fire measures include occupants having to hand fire extinguishers and fire blankets, and ensuring stairwells and fire doors are not restricted.<\/p>\n

For those taking the DIY approach, government issued, step by step guidance is available: making your small paying guest accommodation safe from fire<\/a>. The guidance includes illustrated examples and a template to help property owners create their own risk assessment.<\/p>\n

However, the person carrying out the assessment should be a \u201ccompetent person\u201d, and it is the landlord\u2019s responsibility to ensure this is the case. This person does not need any formal qualification but they must understand the relevant legislation to be sufficiently competent to carry out the assessment and have undergone appropriate training in the general principles of fire safety and people\u2019s natural instinctive reaction to fires.<\/p>\n

Fire safety consulting is not a regulated industry, so property owners should be careful to appoint someone with proper experience of the type of property they are assessing. If you have a larger property, appointing a third party is recommended.\u00a0 Whatever the size of your property, if you do appoint a third party, keep appropriate records of any inspections and evidence of the recommendations being carried out.<\/p>\n

Fire safety experts are keen to point out that a risk assessment is not simply a box-ticking exercise, but designed to protect the building and its inhabitants from the risks associated with fire.<\/p>\n

What is the guidance?<\/h5>\n

In essence, the principle of the guidance is to identify the route of safe escape for guests in the case of a fire. The route must be kept clear and be checked on a daily basis. In addition:<\/p>\n