What You Really Need to Know

Fire safety might not be the most glamorous part of running a holiday let—but it’s absolutely essential. For us at BSM Training and Consultancy, we’ve seen first hand how vital it is to get this right, especially when lives and livelihoods are at stake.

If you own a holiday home in Scotland—whether it’s a snug cottage in the Highlands, a city flat in Edinburgh, or a seaside lodge on the west coast—then fire safety isn’t just good practice. It’s the law.

So, where did all this come from?

In October 2022, the Scottish Government introduced a licensing scheme for short-term lets under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982. That means if you’re renting out your property, you need a license—and part of that process involves proving you’ve done a proper fire risk assessment.

But what does that actually mean?

🔍 What Is a Fire Risk Assessment?

A fire risk assessment is essentially a deep dive into your property to figure out:

• What could cause a fire (think cookers, heaters, candles)
• Who might be at risk (guests, cleaners, maintenance staff)
• What you’ve got in place to prevent fires (smoke alarms, fire doors, extinguishers)
• How people would get out safely if a fire did break out (escape routes, signage)

It’s not just a tick-box exercise. It’s about understanding your property, your guests, and making sure everyone is safe.

🛏️ Specific Guidance for Holiday Lets

Now, not all holiday homes are the same. A small B&B in the Borders isn’t going to have the same setup as a luxury lodge in the Cairngorms. That’s why the Scottish Government has published tailored guidance—especially useful for self-catering properties and smaller setups.

There’s also updated guidance from the Home Office (January 2025) for small paying guest accommodations in England, which is worth a look if you operate across borders.

And if you’re wondering where to start, there are downloadable templates available to help you carry out and record your fire risk assessment properly.

✅ What Should Be in Place?

Here’s a quick checklist of what every holiday let should have:

• Smoke and heat alarms in key areas
• Carbon monoxide detectors near fuel-burning appliances
• Fire extinguishers and blankets
• Clear, unobstructed escape routes with emergency lighting
• Guest information packs with fire safety instructions

📋 Keeping on Top of It

One of the biggest mistakes we see is people doing a fire risk assessment once and never looking at it again. That’s risky.

• Review your assessment every year—or sooner if you make changes to the property
• Keep records of inspections, maintenance, and any staff training
• If your property is complex or has higher risks, speak to your local Fire Safety Enforcement team
• Lastly, ensure you keep your own knowledge up to date. Demonstrating your competency is essential for anyone who undertakes a fire risk assessment.

🏡 Why It Matters

We get it—compliance can feel like a chore. But fire safety is about protecting lives. It’s about making sure your guests feel safe and your property is protected. And let’s be honest, it’s also about protecting your reputation and your business.

So, if you haven’t looked at your fire risk assessment in a while, now’s the time. Make sure it’s up to date, make sure it’s done properly, and make sure it reflects the current setup of your property.

Because when it comes to fire safety, “good enough” just isn’t good enough.