Guide

Holiday let changeover and maintenance checks

Short answer

A holiday let must be safe from fire. The owner must do a fire risk assessment and record the findings. Government guidance says smoke and heat alarms should be mains powered and interlinked, and tested each month. Gas appliances need a yearly gas safety check. At each changeover, check alarms, exits and small faults.

Updated 15 October 2026 · 2 min read · 5 sources

Your fire safety duties

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 covers paying guest homes, including holiday lets. The Home Office guide says you must carry out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment and record your findings.

The guide covers small premises of a ground floor, or a ground and first floor, for up to 10 guests. A larger or more complex let needs the guide for sleeping accommodation.

Alarms

The Home Office guide for small paying guest homes says the following.

Smoke and heat alarms should be mains powered, with a battery back-up.
All alarms should be interlinked.
Fit smoke alarms in halls, landings, stairs, living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms.
Fit a heat alarm in every kitchen.
Test domestic smoke and heat alarms each month.
Replace alarms about every 10 years.

Gas and electrics

The gas safety rules cover homes let for money under a lease or a licence. A holiday let with gas appliances needs a gas safety check every year by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

Since 1 October 2022, Approved Document J says that a carbon monoxide alarm goes in the room when a new or replacement fixed fuel-burning appliance, such as a boiler or a stove, is fitted. Ask a registered electrician about checks on the electrics.

Changeover checklist

Use this list at each changeover. A property maintenance firm can do it for you.

Press the test button on each alarm, or check the log.
Check that exits are clear and that doors open from inside without a key.
Check that the fire blanket and extinguisher, if fitted, are in place.
Look for damage to furniture, fittings and floors.
Check taps, toilets and showers for leaks and drips.
Check lights and replace bulbs.
Check that the guest information shows what to do in a fire.

Furniture

Upholstered furniture must meet the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988. A label on the item usually shows this. Check the labels when you buy furniture for the let.

Seasonal maintenance

Plan bigger jobs for quiet weeks. Clear gutters in late autumn, service the boiler or stove before winter, and repaint in the low season.

Many Cotswold lets are old stone cottages. Use breathable paints and lime mortar for repairs, and ask the council before work on a listed cottage.

Questions

Does a holiday let need a fire risk assessment?

Yes. The Home Office guide says the person responsible must do a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment of a paying guest home, and record the findings.

Does a holiday let need a gas safety certificate?

The gas safety rules cover homes let for money under a lease or a licence. A holiday let with gas appliances needs a yearly gas safety check by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

How often should I test the alarms in my holiday let?

The Home Office guide says to test domestic smoke and heat alarms every month. Many owners also test them at each changeover and keep a log.