Holiday let compliance checklist
The safety, permission, insurance and tax checks an owner in England has to complete before letting to paying guests, as one printable list with the rule behind each item.
What it covers
- 67 tick-box checks in eight sections, each with the rule or the official guide it comes from
- The fire safety standard from the GOV.UK guide for small paying guest accommodation, item by item
- Gas, electrical, furniture and water safety checks, with the inspection interval for each
- The permissions to get in writing: planning, lease, mortgage lender and insurer
- Tax and rates: Self Assessment, Making Tax Digital, VAT and the 140 and 70 night business rates test
- A records list, so the evidence is on file when an insurer, a council or a fire officer asks for it
Printable, and kept up to date: we re-check it against the official guidance and date every revision.
Where shall we send it?
We email you a link to the checklist and show it straight away.
Frequently asked questions
Is a fire risk assessment a legal requirement for a holiday let in England?
Yes. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies to any property let to paying guests, and since 1 October 2023 the assessment has to be recorded in writing in full. Owners of small, simple properties can complete it themselves using the GOV.UK guide for small paying guest accommodation. Larger or more complex properties usually need a professional assessor.
Do I need to register my holiday let with the government?
Not at the time of writing, 30 September 2026. A mandatory national registration scheme for short-term lets in England is provided for in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023, and GOV.UK says it is expected to begin in 2026, but it has not opened. The checklist tells you to check its status and register once it does.
How often do the safety checks need repeating?
Gas appliances are checked every 12 months. The fire risk assessment is reviewed once a year and after any significant change. The electrical installation is inspected at least every five years, chimneys are swept at least once a year and alarms are tested at every changeover. The checklist ends with a records section so each date is on file.
Ready to hand over the keys?
Tell us about the property and we will come back with a realistic income estimate, what it needs before the first guest and the terms. 16% commission, no retainer.