Under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 all gas appliances and flues in rented accommodation must be checked for safety within 12 months of being installed, and thereafter at least every 12 months by a competent engineer (e.g. a GAS SAFE registered gas installer).  

Maintenance: There is a duty to ensure that all gas appliances, flues and associated pipework are maintained in a safe condition at all times. 

Records: Full records must be kept for at least 2 years of the inspections of each appliance and flue, of any defects found and of any remedial action taken. Copies to tenants: A copy of the safety certificate issued by the engineer must be given to each new tenant before their tenancy commences, or to each existing tenant within 28 days of the check being carried out.  

There are several regulations relating to electrical installations, equipment and appliance safety which affect Property Owners and their Agents in that they are 'supplying in the course of business'. They include the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994, the Plugs and Sockets Regulations 1994, the 2005 Building Regulation - 'Part P, and British Standard BS1363 relating to plugs and sockets. Whilst it is not a statutory legal requirement the law states that all electrical systems in holiday property must be maintained as far as is reasonably practicable to avoid danger to all those who use the premises. It is widely accepted in the holiday letting industry that the only safe way to ensure safety, and to avoid the risk of being accused of neglecting your 'duty of care', or even of manslaughter is to arrange regular electrical inspections and the issue of safety certificates. There are 2 types of electrical inspection, one of the actual installation and another, of any portable electrical appliances (PAT test). We recommend that these are carried out by a competent electrical engineer at the start of the letting programme and thereafter, at 2 year intervals. 

The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 (amended 1989 & 1993) provide that specified items supplied in the course of letting property must meet minimum fire resistance standards. The regulations apply to all upholstered furniture, beds, headboards and mattresses, sofa-beds, futons and other convertibles, nursery furniture, garden furniture suitable for use in a dwelling, scatter cushions, pillows and non-original covers for furniture. They do not apply to antique furniture or furniture made before 1950, bedcovers including duvets, loose covers for mattresses, pillowcases, curtains, carpets or sleeping bags. Items which comply will have a suitable permanent label attached. Non-compliant items must be removed before a letting commences.  

All properties built since June 1992 must have been fitted with mains powered smoke detector alarms from new. Although there is no legislation requiring smoke alarms to be fitted in other properties, it is generally considered that the common law 'duty of care' means that Property Owners and their Agents could be liable should a fire cause injury or damage in a let property where smoke alarms are not fitted. We therefore strongly recommend that the Property Owners fit at least one alarm on each floor (in the hall and landing areas) prior to the letting of the property.  

 

 

The DDA 2005 addresses the limitations of current legislation by extending disabled people's rights in respect of premises that are let or to be let, and common hold premises. Property Owners and managers of holiday lettings will be required to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people. Under the new duties, provided certain conditions are met (for example, that a request has been made), Property Owners and Agents must make reasonable adjustments, and a failure to do so will be unlawful unless it can be justified under the Act. Property Owners will only have to make reasonable adjustments. And they will not have to remove or alter physical features of the premises.  

Property owners who let their properties must ensure that comprehensive insurance is in place which specifically covers holiday letting and includes appropriate Public Liability Insurance. We have teamed up with the Sabre Finance Group to offer you some of the best rates on the market. 

Before letting your property to holidaymakers, with pen and paper in hand, step back from it and do a dry walk through imagining that you are a holiday maker arriving for your holiday. Take down notes of your feelings and be honest with yourself. After all you're a holidaymaker and you've paid your hard earned cash and used up precious holiday entitlement from work, you will expect it to be fantastic!  

Properties should have a ‘starter pack’ of basic essentials including toilet rolls, cleaning materials, soap, washing powder, dishwasher tablets and bin bags. Please don’t leave partially used bottles, jars and other half-used consumables as these create a poor impression (a secure cupboard or second fridge is the best option if you are a regular visitor to the property).  

An attractive display folder, updated each year, is useful for holiday tenants and would perhaps list local restaurants, places of interest, maps, brochures, leaflets etc. 

A second folder including instructions on how to use appliances is also very useful – please make special note of any idiosyncrasies as this will help the tenant immensely and reduce the number of times we/you are called for assistance!  

Leave a ‘Visitors Book’ for comments and suggestions – it is always good to get feedback from tenants and in the long run this helps significantly increase the level of customer satisfaction. 

 

With the overall quality of finish of properties now being that much higher in general, holidaymakers expectations of holiday accommodation have risen as well. Your property should be well presented throughout with good quality fixtures, fittings and furnishings, quality carpets or flooring and a high standard of decoration. 

 

You should ensure that the property is set up to meet the needs of the maximum number of visitors. If you have advertised the property to show that it 'Sleeps 6’ then there should be sufficient beds for 6 persons. Sofa beds should be regarded as just an oveernight stay for visitors of your guests. There should be enough bedding ie. Duvets, pillows, blankets etc. for double the number of persons. In addition, adequate seating for 6 should be provided for in the lounge/sitting room plus 6 proper chairs at the dining table. The amount of crockery, tableware, cutlery and other similar items should take account of up to 2 sittings per day (ie. It is best to provide up to 12 of each of the main items). 

 

The outside of the property is as important as the inside, particularly in the peak Summer weeks. Ensure that adequate attention is paid to gardens, drive-ways and external lighting and that all outside areas are kept in good order. Please have sufficient dustbins for the size of party (holiday-makers tend to create more refuse than a typical residential party) and clearly outline the collection day within your information pack! 

 

Cleanliness is very important throughout the whole property. You must make sure that the property is thoroughly cleaned before the start of each letting. There is nothing worse than arriving to a poorly cleaned property whether its grimy in the bathroom, greasy in the ktichen or dusty in the rest of the rooms in the house, it will not be appreciated and it is unlikely that you will encourage repeat bookings, the life-blood of your holiday property. 

 

 

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