Is My Holiday Let Legal? A Compliance Checklist
Most holiday let owners know they need a gas safety certificate. Fewer are confident they have everything else in order. This checklist covers the main compliance requirements so you can work through each area and identify any gaps before the season starts.
Last reviewed: June 2026. This is a practical guide for property owners, not legal advice. Requirements can vary depending on your property type, location and letting arrangement. If you are unsure about any item, get specialist advice.
What compliance means for a holiday let
A holiday let is a commercial activity, not an extension of your own home. That means you have legal obligations as a provider of accommodation to paying guests. Some are explicit statutory requirements. Others sit under general health and safety law. A few are insurance requirements that carry the same practical weight as legal ones, because failing them leaves you uninsured.
The good news is that the list is manageable. Most properties need the same core set of checks, most of which only happen once a year. The problem is usually not ignorance of what is needed. It is tracking when things are due and making sure nothing quietly lapses while you are focused on bookings and reviews.
For Devon holiday let owners in particular, the compliance picture has one additional layer. Many properties in the county are older stone-built buildings with solid fuel appliances, log burners or Aga-style range cookers. These trigger additional requirements around CO alarms, chimney sweeps and HETAS certification that do not apply to a modern property. Moorland and coastal locations also mean properties sit empty for longer periods between seasons, which has direct implications for Legionella risk assessment and the flushing schedule for infrequently used water outlets.
At a glance: what every Devon holiday let needs
| Area | Check | Frequency | Legal? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gas safety | CP12 certificate | Annual | Yes |
| Electrical | EICR | Every 5 years | Insurer/agent requirement |
| Fire safety | Written fire risk assessment | Annual review | Yes (Oct 2023) |
| Smoke alarms | Test and log | Each changeover | Yes |
| CO alarms | Test and log | Each changeover | Yes (where solid fuel) |
| PAT testing | All portable appliances | Annual (active lets) | Duty of care |
| Legionella | Risk assessment | On change, review annually | Yes |
| EPC | Certificate | Every 10 years | Effectively yes for most lets |
Acacia Property Care coordinates all of the checks below for holiday let owners and letting agents across Devon. One contact, all records tracked, nothing lapses.
Gas Safety
- Annual Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) in date, carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
- Certificate physically on site or available to guests on request.
- Previous certificate retained for at least two years.
- Next renewal date in your diary at least four weeks before expiry.
- If the property has an Aga or range cooker on gas, confirm it is included in the annual service.
Electrical Safety
- Current EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report); industry standard is every five years.
- No outstanding C1 or C2 items on the most recent report.
- PAT testing carried out on all portable appliances available to guests.
- PAT records retained showing each appliance tested, date, and outcome.
- Any consumer unit or wiring flagged on the EICR has been investigated and any remedial work completed.
Fire Safety
- Working smoke alarm on every floor, tested before each guest arrival.
- Carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a solid fuel appliance; strongly recommended for any fuel-burning appliance including gas boilers.
- Alarm test log maintained (date, result, action taken).
- Fire Risk Assessment carried out and reviewed annually; required under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
- Escape routes clearly signposted and unobstructed.
- Fire extinguisher and/or fire blanket in the kitchen.
- Log burners or solid fuel appliances: HETAS installation certificate present, annual chimney sweep documented.
Legionella
- Legionella risk assessment carried out (required by law for all rental properties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and COSHH Regulations).
- Risk assessment reviewed after any extended void period or changes to the water system.
- Cold water storage tanks inspected if present; hot water cylinder set to at least 60°C.
- Infrequently used outlets (showers, taps, garden hoses) flushed regularly during void periods, with dates logged.
- For properties with spa baths or hot tubs: specialist Legionella assessment required, with more frequent water treatment and testing.
EPC and Registration
- Valid EPC on file. Required if the property is listed on Airbnb, Sykes Cottages or managed by a letting agent. Government consultation (June 2026) proposes removing the short-term let exemption from H2 2026.
- Short-term let registration: mandatory nationally from April 2026 under the England short-term let registration scheme. Obtain a registration number and display it on all listing platforms including Airbnb, Booking.com and Vrbo.
- Planning permission for change of use checked if property is let more than 90 days per year in designated areas.
Documentation
- All certificates stored securely with copies accessible to your letting agent.
- Expiry dates tracked in a single document or system.
- Maintenance log kept recording repairs, checks and any issues found.
- Insurance policy reviewed annually: confirm it covers short-term letting and check for any certificate requirements.
- All compliance documents available to produce within 24 hours if requested by an insurer, local authority or HSE inspector.
What happens if a guest is injured and your certificates are missing?
If a guest is injured in your property and your compliance records are not in order, two things typically happen at once. First, the insurer investigates. Absence of a current CP12 or EICR at the time of an incident is treated as a material breach of policy conditions by most holiday let insurers. The claim is rejected, leaving you personally liable for any compensation, medical costs or damages awarded.
Second, depending on the nature of the incident, you may face regulatory action. For a gas-related incident where no current Gas Safety Certificate exists, the property owner can face criminal prosecution under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. This is not a theoretical risk. Insurers routinely reject claims where compliance records cannot be produced, and serious incidents do reach the attention of the HSE.
The absence of a certificate does not mean the incident was your fault. But it removes your ability to defend yourself, and it removes the insurer's obligation to defend you. The cost of maintaining compliance is a fraction of the cost of a single uninsured incident. See the gas safety, electrical safety and fire safety pages for detail on each certificate.
Found gaps? What to do next
If you have worked through the checklist and found items that are overdue, out of date or missing entirely, the priority order is straightforward:
- 1.
Gas safety first
A lapsed CP12 is a criminal offence and an immediate insurance issue. If yours is out of date, arrange a Gas Safe inspection before the next guest arrival.
- 2.
Electrical and fire safety second
EICR, working alarms, and any outstanding fire risk actions. These sit under your duty of care to guests and are the items insurers scrutinise after any incident.
- 3.
PAT and Legionella third
Important but lower urgency than gas and fire. Book these in and document them properly.
- 4.
EPC and registration last
Check your EPC is current and register under the national short-term let scheme if you have not done so. Both are now required for most Devon lets.
Common questions
What legal requirements apply to holiday lets in the UK?
Holiday let owners must ensure their property is safe for paying guests. The main requirements are: annual gas safety check (CP12) if there is a gas supply, evidence of a safe electrical installation (EICR), working smoke and CO alarms, a current fire risk assessment, safe portable appliances (PAT testing), and a Legionella risk assessment. From April 2026, registration under the national short-term let scheme is also mandatory in England.
Is a gas safety certificate mandatory for a holiday let?
Yes. If your holiday let has a gas supply, an annual Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) is a legal requirement under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. It must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Failure to have a current certificate is a criminal offence and will invalidate most holiday let insurance policies.
Do holiday lets need an EICR?
There is no single statute requiring an EICR for holiday lets in the same way as for private rented properties, but you have a legal duty under health and safety law to ensure the electrical installation is safe for guests. An EICR is the recognised standard for demonstrating this. Most insurers and letting agents require one, typically every five years.
What smoke and carbon monoxide alarm rules apply to holiday lets?
Working smoke alarms are required on every floor of the property. A carbon monoxide alarm is required in any room containing a solid fuel appliance and is strongly recommended wherever there is any fuel-burning appliance including gas boilers. Alarms should be tested before each new guest arrival and the results logged.
What safety certificates do I need for a holiday let?
For most Devon holiday lets you need: a Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) renewed annually; an EICR renewed every five years; a written Fire Risk Assessment reviewed annually; smoke alarms on every floor tested before each changeover; a CO alarm in any room with a solid fuel or fuel-burning appliance; PAT testing on all portable appliances annually; and a Legionella risk assessment. An EPC is effectively required if you list on Airbnb or use a letting agent. Registration under the national short-term let scheme is mandatory from April 2026.
Does my holiday let need to be registered in England in 2026?
Yes. The national short-term let registration scheme for England launched in April 2026. All short-term let properties must obtain a registration number and display it on all listing platforms including Airbnb, Booking.com and Vrbo. Registration requires submission of property details, safety compliance documentation and evidence of insurance. Failure to register can result in fines, listing removal or operational restrictions.
How do I keep track of all my compliance certificates?
The most practical approach is a single record-keeping system, either a folder or a digital equivalent, that contains a copy of each certificate, its expiry date, and the contractor who carried it out. A single compliance coordinator such as Acacia Property Care can track all expiry dates and arrange renewals so nothing lapses between seasons.
Important
The information provided on this page is for general guidance only. It does not constitute legal, regulatory, or professional advice.
Compliance requirements can vary depending on property type, location, and individual circumstances. You should always confirm obligations with the appropriate qualified professional or relevant authority.
Not sure where your property stands?
A pre-season Compliance Check covers every item on this list in a single visit. You get a photo report with prioritised next steps so you know exactly what is in order and what needs attention before guests arrive.