You may be considering choosing a holiday home letting agency to manage your property for you, or you may choose to do this yourself, either way we hope our landlord guide to safety will help. 

As a diligent owner you will no doubt want to maintain high standards for your Cotswold holiday homes throughout the year. The key areas to be aware of are the requirements for fire safety prior to guests arriving at your Cotswold holiday cottage, and maintaining your property as you come into the winter months. In this landlord guide we take a look at fire safety and share our tips on getting your holiday home ready for winter. 

three images of wood burning stoves in Cotswold Holiday homes

Understanding Fire Regulations for Holiday Lets 

Over recent years there has been a crack down on fire regulations, which all good holiday let property managers should be completely up to speed with.

It’s crucial for the safety of your guests, and a legal requirement of being a landlord, that your Cotswold holiday homes meet these standards. Here are some essential steps to ensure compliance:

  1. Fire Risk Assessment: Every property must have an up-to-date fire risk assessment. This involves inspecting your premises to identify potential hazards and ensuring there are sufficient measures to prevent and control fires. You can carry out the fire risk assessment yourself, or if you are working with ourselves, we can supply details of a qualified assessor who can complete this for you.
  2. Action Plans and Fire Protection Measures: If your assessment identifies risks, you must create an action plan to implement fire safety measures. This could involve installing fire doors along escape routes, ensuring there are enough, well-signed, fire exits and they are all compliant, and integrating emergency lighting.
  3. Regular Maintenance and Checks: It’s essential to maintain all potential fire risk equipment, such as boilers, chimneys, and electrical systems. Regular professional checks are necessary to ensure everything is in safe working condition.
  4. Alarm Systems and Emergency Equipment: Install interlinked smoke alarms in all rooms of your Cotswold holiday home, including hall and stairways, along with a heat alarm installed in the kitchen. Provide fire extinguishers and fire blankets, especially in areas like kitchens.
  5. Escape Routes and Safety Protocols: Clearly define and mark all fire evacuation routes. The entrance hall and stairs should be a notional 30-minute fire-protected escape route and should of course remain accessible and free of obstructions. Regularly review and practise your fire escape plans with your holiday let manager.

one image of a chimney sweep and one of a Cotswold holiday home boiler being serviced

We would always advise holiday let managers and landlords unsure about conducting these assessments independently, to engage with a holiday let property manager who specialises in safety compliance. These professionals can provide thorough assessments and actionable advice to meet regulatory requirements comprehensively.

Ongoing maintenance of your Cotswold holiday homes

Whilst choosing to work with a holiday let property manager should mean that most things are taken care of, we do still advise that as an owner you have a good knowledge of what holiday let management is all about. Why not take a read of our landlord guide to Holiday Let Management. 

Getting your property ready for Winter

The Cotswolds is a popular holiday destination all year round, which means as a holiday home owner you will need to ensure your property is safe for every season. The winter season can bring a few added safety challenges – for holiday let managers and home owners alike! We hope you find out Top 10 Winter Ready tips useful for your Cotswold holiday home, as well as your own family home too.

one image showing a car on an icey driveway, a home in twighlight with the outside lights on and a snow filled garden

  1. Service the central heating and adjust the thermostat – keeping it on low for in between guest stays is advisable in the colder months.
  2. Check any loft spaces are well insulated and any drafts are taken care of.
  3. Insulate pipes to prevent them from freezing.
  4. Clean gutters, trim back branches and cover or store away outdoor furniture.
  5. Check window seals and consider if external woodwork needs repainting.
  6. Book the annual chimney sweep and safely file the certificate. 
  7. Alter timers on external lighting, and in the hallway, so guests returning home from a meal out or a day trip are not in the dark. 
  8. Service the burglar alarm and maintain all door and window locks.
  9. Ensure there is a snow shovel and salt for winter ice on path and driveways.
  10. Check the property periodically between guests for any signs of weather damage – or ask your holiday let property manager to do so.

You will find plenty of other handy articles packed full of tips and advice for owners – whether you take on the role of holiday let managers yourself or you choose to work with a holiday let property manager.

Visit our holiday let advice and tips for owners here and enjoy Cotswold holiday home ownership.