Fire, first and always
Every holiday let needs a fire risk assessment, and since late 2023 it has to be written down — a walk-round and a good intention no longer count. For a normal cottage you can do it yourself using the government guidance for small paying-guest accommodation; for anything bigger, pay a professional. What flows from it is the familiar list: interlinked smoke alarms, a heat alarm in the kitchen, escape routes that stay clear, and a review whenever the layout changes.
One that catches people furnishing their holiday let: upholstered furniture must carry its fire-safety labels and that applies for new and second hand furniture equally. Check before you buy it or it will end up in the skip.
The certificate calendar
renewal dates live in a calendar that shouts at you — not in a drawer
Insurance
Ordinary home insurance becomes invalid the first night a paying guest sleeps in the house. You need a specialist holiday-let policy with public liability and while it is not especially expensive it is a necessity. A TV in the property needs its own licence and add ons such as a hot tub can have their own requirements. They can be a great investment in the right property but make sure you are aware of the requirements before you commit.
A certificate that expired in March is no certificate at all in July.
Every property we operate has this calendar run for it — engineers booked, records kept, renewals watched. If you'd rather never think about an EICR again, then we are for you.