UK only properties - New Fire Regulations in Holiday Lets- Discuss

[Alexandra199]

Dear UK Hosts

Have you all seen the new legislation that has come in to force from 1st October 2023. I somewhat naively thought it would be reasonable and achievable actions that needed to tale place in order to comply. This a not the case at all. At this moment I am going to have to install fixed mains wired smoke and fire alarms in my cottage (battery ones not allowed) and potentially fit fire doors throughout the exit routes from bedrooms to front doors. I also need to change the locks on my front door to thumb turn locks that do not require keys. I also need to carry out weekly checks on fire alarm systems and these checks must be recorded. This is just the tip of the iceberg really but it likely to be thousands of pounds worth of work and even then it may be that my cottage is non compliant and I can no longer run it as my business. 

I cannot possibly be the only holiday let owner that is gobsmacked with this legislation and the fact that it has been bought in so quietly? By the way, failure to comply can result in up to 2 years in prison!! Yes read that again!

Personally, I feel this is an underhand way of getting rid of holiday lets and shared accommodation (so it includes the original spare room economy too). What are you all doing about it?

[Helen3]

Any short term rental @Vicki128 

Your fire assessments will tell you what changes you need to make @Vicki128 

[Terence105]

@Vicki123 

No, not caravans.

[Terence105]

Hi Alexandra199,

I've seen your post and the replies.

Can I ask, who told you that you need a hard wired fire alarm system etc?

I'm Terry and I run a health and safety/fire safety business in Northamptonshire. Since the changes to the Fire Safety Order in October 2023, there is a need for holiday lets to complete a fire risk assessment. However, the lengths to which you have been told you need to go are not reasonably practicable. If a competent fire risk assessor were to carry out the assessment, what should happen is to reduce the fire risk to as low as reasonably practicable. i.e. if putting a hard wired fire alarm in would reduce the risk to life significantly, then it might be seen as reasonable and if it could be done in the property, it may be seen as doable (practicable).

**[Personal information removed due to safety reasons - Community Center Guidelines]

[Helen3]

It's against the terms of this community to provide personal  contact information. That's why the admins keep removing the contact information you are sharing of your business @Terence105