Short Lets and Holiday Lets in London: Electrical and Fire Safety for Hosts

Many London homes and flats are let on short stays through booking platforms. Guests do not know the property, may arrive late at night and use appliances they are not familiar with, so electrical and fire safety matter just as much as in a long let, and in some ways more. This guide covers the main points for hosts. It is general information, not legal advice.

Which rules apply

The electrical safety rules for private landlords apply to standard tenancies, but short lets and holiday lets are generally treated as business premises for fire safety, which means the host is expected to carry out a fire risk assessment. Insurers and booking platforms also often expect evidence that the electrics and alarms have been checked. In London, there is also a limit on how many nights a whole home can be let short term each year without planning permission. Check the current rules with your council and platform.

Electrical checks

• An EICR every five years is a sensible standard, matching what long-term landlords must do.
• PAT testing of the appliances you provide, such as kettles, hairdryers, toasters and lamps.
• Check for damaged sockets, loose fittings and missing covers between stays.

Our guides to how often you need an EICR and PAT testing in London explain both.

Fire alarms and lighting

Interlinked mains smoke alarms, a heat detector in the kitchen and a carbon monoxide alarm where there is a gas boiler or fire are a good baseline. Larger properties or those with several letting rooms may need more. Our guide to fire alarm grades explains the different levels.

Make it easy for guests

• Label the consumer unit clearly and show its location in the welcome guide.
• Explain how to reset a tripped switch, and who to call if it trips again.
• Provide enough sockets by the bed and desk so guests do not overload adaptors.
• Avoid portable heaters where possible, or provide ones with tip-over protection.

Our guide to consumer unit labelling explains what a clear chart looks like.

Book a check between stays

Energy North Ltd carries out EICRs, PAT testing and alarm installations for short let hosts across North, East and West London, and can work around your booking calendar. See our EICR service.