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Holiday Let Fire Risk Assessment — Instant UK Compliance for £29
A holiday let fire risk assessment is a legal requirement under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 for any property where paying guests sleep. Describe your holiday cottage, self-catering flat or short-term rental and Anyrisks generates a fully written, regulation-referenced fire risk assessment covering all fire hazards, means of escape and control measures — ready in minutes, accepted by insurers and letting agents across the UK.
Used by holiday cottage owners, self-catering operators and short-term landlords across the UK
🔥 Required by law and demanded by insurers — every holiday let in the UK must have a written fire risk assessment under the Fire Safety Order 2005. Letting agents, booking platforms and insurance companies routinely request evidence of compliance before accepting bookings or issuing cover.
Legal requirements for holiday let fire safety
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (the Fire Safety Order) places a legal duty on the responsible person — the property owner or manager — to carry out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment for any premises where people sleep. Article 9 requires that the assessment identifies fire hazards, evaluates the risk to life, and sets out control measures to reduce that risk to an acceptable level. This applies to all holiday cottages, self-catering properties, short-term lets and sleeping accommodation provided to paying guests.
Article 11 requires that the assessment is recorded in writing where five or more people are employed, but in practice, insurers, letting agents and local fire authorities expect written evidence regardless of employee numbers. Fire and rescue services have enforcement powers under the Order and can issue enforcement notices, alterations notices or — in extreme cases — prohibition notices closing the property to guests until compliance is achieved.
In addition to the Fire Safety Order, many local authorities issue licensing conditions for holiday lets and Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). These conditions typically include fire detection, emergency lighting and fire-resistant doors. Even where licensing does not apply, insurers require evidence of fire safety compliance as a condition of cover. A fire risk assessment is the foundation document that demonstrates compliance with the Order and satisfies insurer requirements.
The UK Government's fire safety guidance for small sleeping accommodation (published by the Department for Communities and Local Government) provides detailed advice for properties sleeping fewer than ten guests. This guidance is referenced by fire officers during inspections and forms the basis of good practice for holiday cottage fire safety. Anyrisks assessments align with this guidance and reference the Fire Safety Order throughout.
How it works
1. Describe your property
Tell us the property type (cottage, flat, barn conversion, annexe), number of storeys, number of guests sleeping, heating type (wood burner, electric, gas), construction (stone, timber frame, thatched) and any specific fire hazards. Mention if the property is listed, in a conservation area or has restricted escape routes.
2. Let the app take the strain
Anyrisks produces a fully written, UK-compliant holiday let fire risk assessment referencing the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and aligned with government fire safety guidance for small sleeping accommodation.
3. Instant download and use
Download as PDF and Word. Send it to your insurer, letting agent or booking platform, display it in the property for guest information, or file it for compliance purposes. £29, no subscription.
What it covers
Every holiday let fire risk assessment is written in full — covering all fire hazards, means of escape and control measures specific to your property.
Fire detection and alarm systems — smoke, heat and CO alarms
Means of escape — all routes, doors, windows and travel distances
Emergency lighting requirements for shared escape routes
Fire doors — FD30 ratings, self-closers and intumescent strips
Electrical safety — distribution boards, portable appliances, charging devices
Heating appliances — wood burners, open fires, gas boilers, electric heaters
Kitchen fire risks — cooking appliances, deep fat fryers, extraction
Combustible materials — soft furnishings, curtains, bedding flame retardancy
Guest information — fire action notices, escape plans, assembly points
Portable fire extinguishers and fire blankets — location and type
Arson risk — external storage, bins, security of vacant periods
Maintenance and testing schedules — alarms, extinguishers, emergency lighting
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 compliance
Listed building and conservation area fire safety considerations
Works for
From single rural cottages to multi-unit barn conversions, Anyrisks covers every type of holiday let and short-term rental property.
What customers say
"Our insurer asked for a fire risk assessment before renewing cover on our three Norfolk cottages. Anyrisks gave me a professional document for each property in minutes — exactly what they needed."
Sophia Farrow
Holiday cottage owner, Blakeney
"I manage 12 holiday lets on the Pembrokeshire coast. Anyrisks covered everything — wood burners, thatched roofs, listed buildings. The letting agent accepted them without question."
Robert Llewellyn
Self-catering operator, Pembrokeshire
"I rent out a converted barn on Airbnb. The fire brigade visited after a complaint and asked to see my fire risk assessment. I had one ready from Anyrisks — they were satisfied and left without issue."
Hannah Mitchell
Airbnb host, Lake District
Anyrisks vs DIY templates
| Anyrisks | DIY / Templates | |
|---|---|---|
| Written in full — not a blank form | ✓ | ✗ |
| Fire Safety Order 2005 referenced throughout | ✓ | ✗ |
| Covers wood burners, open fires and heating appliances | ✓ | ✗ |
| Means of escape and travel distances evaluated | ✓ | ✗ |
| Suitable for listed buildings and thatched properties | ✓ | ✗ |
| Accepted by insurers and letting agents | ✓ | Sometimes |
| Ready in under 2 minutes | ✓ | ✗ |
| Instant PDF and Word download | ✓ | Sometimes |
Frequently asked questions
Do I legally need a fire risk assessment for my holiday cottage?
Yes — under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the responsible person (property owner or manager) must carry out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment for any sleeping accommodation provided for paying guests. This includes holiday cottages, self-catering properties and short-term lets. Insurance companies and letting agents now routinely require written evidence of this assessment.
Does this cover Airbnb and other short-term rental platforms?
Yes — the assessment applies to any property where paying guests sleep, regardless of booking platform. Whether you list on Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com or manage bookings directly, the Fire Safety Order applies and a written fire risk assessment is required.
What if I only rent out my property a few times a year?
The frequency of letting does not remove the requirement. The Fire Safety Order applies as soon as you allow paying guests to sleep overnight in the property. Even a single booking per year triggers the legal duty to carry out and maintain a fire risk assessment.
Will my insurer accept this?
Yes — Anyrisks produces a fully written, regulation-referenced fire risk assessment in the standard format expected by insurers, letting agents and enforcement officers. The assessment identifies fire hazards specific to your property, evaluates risks and sets out control measures in compliance with the Fire Safety Order.
Do I need a separate fire risk assessment for each property?
Yes — each property requires its own assessment, as fire hazards vary by building type, construction, layout, heating type and guest capacity. Describe each property separately and Anyrisks will produce an individual assessment for each one.
How often do I need to review the fire risk assessment?
The Fire Safety Order requires regular review — especially after any alteration to the property, change of use or incident. Annual review is considered best practice for holiday lets. If you install new heating, change the sleeping layout or add an annexe, you must update the assessment.
What if my property is in a listed building or conservation area?
The Fire Safety Order applies equally to listed buildings. Mention the listing and any restrictions on alterations (e.g. no mains-wired smoke alarms) and the assessment will reflect proportionate fire safety measures suitable for heritage properties. Consultation with the local authority conservation officer may also be required.
Does this cover wood-burning stoves and open fires?
Yes — describe the heating type (wood burner, open fire, log burner, multi-fuel stove) and the assessment will include specific fire risks and control measures, including safe fuel storage, hearth clearances, chimney maintenance and guest instructions.