Rules and regulations
Making sure you understand the relevant holiday let rules and regulations, whilst not exciting is very important. The legislation surrounding holiday lets is there to protect you, your property and your guests. It is essential that you do not overlook your duty of care to your guests and that you comply with the law.
We can assist you in every step of the way with these legislations, but here are a few sources of information that you can use to keep up to date, these include: HMRC renting out your property GOV.UK renting out your property
Health and safety
In order to make sure your property is suitable as a holiday let, it is advisable to do an overall risk assessment to make sure you have your health and safety regulations covered. By law, you are required to have an annual gas safety check, PAT testing for electronics and a valid fire risk assessment – we can help with these.
Do holiday cottages need PAT testing?
The short answer is no, it is currently not a legal requirement. However, we highly recommend all owners to have PAT (Portable Appliance Testing) testing done to ensure the safety of your guests and to avoid any potential legal issues in the future.
You may require planning permission to materially change the use of a property to a commercial holiday let and this will need to be obtained from the local council (NNDC in Cromer) but it’s also worthwhile checking that there are no clauses regarding commercial letting in your lease or conveyancing agreement. For more information contact NNDC - 01263 513811.
Which holiday let properties do not need an EPC?
Some holiday lets won’t need an EPC:
- Holiday accommodation rented out for less than four months each year.
- Accommodation that is let under a ‘licence to occupy’.
- If your property is a listed building and energy efficiency measures may affect its historic value (you should ask for advice from your local council).
What is a licence to occupy?
This simply means the person renting the property has your permission to be there and to use its facilities on a temporary basis. Unlike a tenancy agreement, a licence to occupy also typically means you, the owner are responsible for utility bills.
Planning permission
You may require planning permission to materially change the use of a property to a commercial holiday let and this will need to be obtained from the local council (NNDC in Cromer) but it’s also worthwhile checking that there are no clauses regarding commercial letting in your lease or conveyancing agreement. For more information contact NNDC - 01263 513811.
DVD license
If you provide a DVD film library for your guests, you will need a DVD Concierge license. Providing films to paying guests without a licence is an infringement of copyright law (the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988).
The main organisations which issue licences to businesses are Filmbank Media and MPLC. Prices will depend on the size of your accommodation and the length of the licence. If you don’t provide DVDs and guests bring their own, you won’t need a licence.
PPL PRS / Music license
Depending on the size and type of your holiday let, you may also need a copyright licence to play music on a device.
The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 states that “any use of copyrighted music in public is possible only with the permission of the person who holds the copyright to the music being played”.
This means that you may need something called TheMusicLicence to avoid this. You can contact the PPL PRS for advice on your music usage requirements.
The good news is you probably won’t need a licence for music if you only own one holiday let with three bedrooms or less. According to Visit Britain, you will be exempt if:
- You have a self-catering accommodation with three guest bedrooms or less
- The premises is the only holiday accommodation business that you own or operate
- The premises is also your domestic residence
- Facilities are only available to resident guests