health-safety-fire-risk-assessments

A holiday let property must have a Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) carried out by the landlord prior to letting. Details of this and the latest Fire Safety Law that applies to your property can be found in HM Government Guide - 'Do you have paying Guests?' which you can see here.

We have also created a page of Frequently Asked Questions about FRA's which will help. and can be found here here.

The starting point for a landlord who holiday lets his home is to carry out and document an assessment of the risks of fire, the people who will be visiting your property and the measures you need to put in place to keep them as safe as possible.

An easy to use Visit England Fire Risk Assessment template that can be completed on-line can be found here. Alternatively we can provide a copy for you to complete.

As part of the steps to keep guest safe, properties should have, as a minimum, smoke detectors on each floor and a fire extinguisher and fire blanket in the appropriate locations in the house. Routes of escape, should a fire occur, should also be shown in the notes provided for guests in the property.

Wight Locations insist on an annual service of all fire equipment by an independent contractor or competent person to make sure detectors and alarms are working, batteries are changed, extinguishers are pressurised, in date and are fitted in the right location.

We work closely with Wight Fire and other contractors who will ensure that you have the appropriate equipment in the correct locations in your property to meet current standards.

Assessing your property for general safety risks

Owners should consider their holiday property each year in terms of potential risks to guests and take steps, as far as is possible, to limit these risks. This should be documented and updated if there are changes to the property. This could include steeps stairs, low beams, cords and chains for blinds out of reach from children, unfenced drops, garden furniture and any play equipment. This needs to be confirmed to your agent and any risks identified.

Access Statement for less able guests

Under the Equality and Disability Discrimination Act 2010, all landlords owners need to provide certain information relating to access and mobility within a property to help a guest work out whether the property is somewhere they can stay. No changes to your property will be required, but we are obliged to offer this information to all guests to help them make their decisions.

There is an on-line version which can be found here. We are also able to provide you with a template you can use.

Furniture Regulations

All beds and upholstery must comply with 1988 Furniture Fire Regulations which means it needs to have been produced after this date. Furniture or upholstery pre 1950 are exempt from this regulation.

Gas

All properties with gas appliances and/or heating must ensure they have a Landlords Gas Safety (CP12) certificate in place. These are valid for one year from the date of inspection.

A carbon monoxide detector is now a requirement for open flue boilers, boilers in bedrooms and fireplaces. These are readily available on the high street or online. We can also assist in this through our approved contractors.

Electrical Regulations

As part of a Landlords Duty of Care, and identified in a Fire Risk Assessment as reducing risk, all electrical appliances in a holiday property must be maintained ‘as far as is reasonably practicable’ to avoid danger to those who use the premises.

Wight Locations recommend an independent appliance check (PAT test) by an approved contractor every 2 years. A visual check can be carried out annually by the landlord but this needs to be documented and confirmed each year in writing to the agent. Excellent guidance for an owner carrying out their own interim electrical safery checks can be found here here.

Every 5 years a property needs to have its electrical wiring inspected (EICR), a report generated and a certificate issued by an approved electrician. WL can assist with both of these inspections through our approved contractors.