Renting the 3 bedroom house (based in the UK) on AirBnB

[Amit265]

I want to rent my 3 bedroom house in the UK on AirBnB. Can someone please help me understand what I need to consider?

e.g.

1. Do I need HMO license or any other planning from the council?

2. Insurance - Any recommendation?

3. Do I need smoke/ fire alarms in all rooms? etc..

[Kitty-and-Creek0]

@Amit265 

Excellent questions - for accurate information you should confer with the agency that issues the permits - the council? Here in the US it is the municipal planning and zoning office. They also can consult on public safety regulations such as smoke alarms and such. Personally, I would recommend fire extinguishers as well as smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms in every room. That is required here, and imho vitally important. As for insurance, we are required here to have a business insurance policy that covers fire, the building, contents, and lots of coverage for liability to the public. Public safety agencies here inspected us for parking, safety, and neighborhood issues such as noise and guest capacity limits. Please don't be surprised if this requirement shows up. I was delighted, as all the official precautions made an easier and safer  business for me.

Best wishes and success to you!

[Amit265]

Thanks @Kitty-and-Creek0 

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Kitty-and-Creek0 we generally don't have agencies issuing permits in England. Some call it the Land of The Free! Oh and we can cross the road wherever/whenever we like as long as it is not a Motorway.

[Helen3]

a little confused by your questions as you've been operating as a host for some time anyway 😀

1 a) no b) ask your local councils planning department 

2 you need home insurance for STR

3 look at fire regulations introduced in October you need a fire assessment which will tell you what you need 

@Amit265 

[Amit265]

Thanks @Helen3 .

I have only been renting a room so far and now would like to rent the entire house so was not clear if it needs an HMO license, thanks for clarifying it.

I am aware that I will need STR insurance,  is there any insurance provider you guys can recommend? 

[Helen3]

1. What did your council say re planning permission @Amit265 

2. I have a homeshare so can't recommend insurance for a whole listing - there are about ten providers in the UK a quick Google search will bring them up

3. what does your fire assessment say about fire alarms, fire doors etc . My understanding is you need alarms hard wired and need fire doors . 

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Amit265 Following on from @Helen3 

Item 2: JL Morris insurance brokers are worth a try

item 3: If you are already a host then the fact you are asking this means you are operating illegally. I can't remember the maximum fine but jail time is also a possibility for this offence.

[Amit265]

Thanks, @Mike-And-Jane0 for recommending an insurance broker.

For item 3, I am fully compliant as far as renting a room in a house.

I have a 3 bedroom house which is currently on rent and is fully compliant with gas safety and fire regulations. Now I want to rent it on AirBnB so wanted to understand about any additional rules/ regulation if there are any. Possibly who is already renting the entire house on AirBnB might help me out with this query.

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Amit265 Sorry but I very much doubt your room is compliant with the latest regulations. Let me ask a few questions

1) Does the bedroom you rent out have a mains powered smoke alarm in it that is linked to all the others in the house? Also are there nominal fire doors between all rooms and the escape route out of the house?

2) Do all the external doors in the house have locks that can be opened without the use of a key?

3) Are fire extinguishers and fire blankets available?

4) Is emergency lighting provided in the event of a power failure?

5) Does the house have a fire risk assessment?

Number 5 is key to all the above but generally 1-4 are required once you have number 5.

Now let's come to your 3 bedroom house. It may well be compliant with the rules for renting it out on a long term basis but it is highly unlikely to comply with the rules for short term rental. Door locks (as above) are just one example where key operation is fine for a long term rental but not acceptable for a short term rental.