Holiday Let Fire Safety: Is Your Property Ready for Guests?
Spring bookings are coming. Before guests arrive, make sure your holiday property meets fire safety requirements. Here’s what Lake District and Cumbria property owners need to know.
What Does the Law Require?
Holiday lets are covered by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. As the property owner or manager, you’re the ‘responsible person’ for fire safety.
Since October 2022, the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations also apply. These set minimum requirements for alarms in all rental properties, including holiday lets.
Smoke Alarms
You must have at least one working smoke alarm on every floor. This includes landings, hallways, and any floor where guests sleep.
Best practice: Fit alarms in hallways, landings, and living areas. Consider linked alarms so if one goes off, they all do. Test before every guest changeover.
Carbon Monoxide Alarms
A carbon monoxide alarm is required in any room with a fixed combustion appliance. Many Lake District cottages have wood burners — if yours does, you need a CO alarm in that room.
Appliances Requiring a CO Alarm
- Gas boilers
- Wood burning stoves
- Open fires
- Oil fired appliances
- Gas fires
Fire Safety Information for Guests
Guests need to know what to do in an emergency. A simple laminated sheet in a visible spot works well. Include it in your welcome pack too.
What to Include
- Location of exits
- Where to find the fire extinguisher and fire blanket
- What to do if the smoke alarm goes off
- Emergency contact numbers
- Assembly point outside
Other Equipment to Consider
Essential in the kitchen. Useful for small cooking fires or wrapping around someone whose clothing has caught fire.
A multi purpose extinguisher gives guests a way to tackle small fires safely. Needs annual servicing.
Keep one by the bed in case of power cuts. Rural Cumbria properties can lose power in storms.
✓Pre-Season Checklist
- Test all smoke alarms
- Test carbon monoxide alarms
- Check fire extinguisher service date
- Replace fire blanket if used or damaged
- Update guest fire safety information
- Check escape routes are clear
- Review your fire risk assessment
Need Help Getting Guest Ready?
We help holiday let owners across Cumbria and the Lake District with fire safety equipment, servicing, and compliance advice. Whether you have one cottage or a portfolio of properties, we can help.