Use this checklist as your friendly guide,  not as something to stress about. Think of it as your monthly companion to make sure nothing slips through the cracks. Adapt it for your specific property and region.

The goal? Make compliance routine, so it stops being something you worry about and becomes something you simply do, week after week, month after month.

REGISTRATION & LICENSING REQUIREMENTS

England

• Register property on the mandatory national register (summer 2026)
• Submit property address and contact details
• Provide booking data and proof of safety standards
• Verify you're within the 90-night limit (if main residence)
• Keep records of all bookings to demonstrate compliance

Scotland

• Obtain short-term let licence from local council (if not already done)
• Budget for licence fees (£200-£500 depending on council)
• Meet all mandatory safety conditions before applying
• Secure planning permission if in control areas (e.g., Edinburgh city centre)
• Set calendar reminder for licence renewal (before expiry)

Wales

• Register via Visitor Accommodation Register (Phase 1, 2026)
• Prepare for Phase 2 licensing rollout (date TBD)
• Budget for visitor levy contributions

Northern Ireland

• Obtain Tourism NI certification (Tourism Order 1992)
• Budget for application fees (£100-£300)
• Prepare for property inspections (every four years)
• Maintain detailed guest registers

FIRE SAFETY ESSENTIALS

Smoke alarms

• Smoke alarms installed on every floor with living spaces
• Test all alarms monthly
• Replace batteries annually
• Replace entire units every 10 years

Carbon Monoxide protection

• CO detectors in any room with fixed combustion appliances (boiler, gas fire, wood burner)
• Test detectors monthly
• Replace batteries and units per manufacturer guidelines

Fire-fighting equipment

• Fire blankets positioned in kitchen near cooking areas
• Fire extinguishers installed (highly recommended, not always legally required)
• Extinguishers serviced annually by qualified professionals
• Clear instructions for guests on fire safety procedures

Emergency exits & pathways

• All hallways, stairwells, and exits kept completely clear
• Windows designated as fire escapes can be easily opened
• Clear signage for escape routes (in larger properties)
• All exit routes tested and accessible

Gas & electrical safety

• Annual gas safety inspection by Gas Safe registered engineer
• Current gas safety certificates provided to guests
• Electrical installation inspection every five years
• Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) on all electrical items (kettles, toasters, hairdryers, TVs, etc.)
• All safety certificates and inspection records kept and accessible
• Any issues from inspections addressed immediately

INSURANCE & LIABILITY COVERAGE

Essential policies

• Public Liability Insurance (minimum £2M cover, ideally £5M)
• Specialist Buildings Insurance for short-term lets
• Contents Insurance designed for rental properties
• Policies explicitly cover short-term letting activity (standard home insurance typically excludes this)

Additional protection

• Cancellation Insurance considered (protects rental income)
• Professional Indemnity Insurance evaluated (if providing services beyond accommodation)
• Policy exclusions and excess amounts reviewed
• Insurers updated immediately on changes to letting model or occupancy levels

Policy management

• Calendar reminders set for renewal dates
• Coverage reviewed annually to match current operation
• Insurance certificates accessible for inspections
• Claims process understood before emergencies occur

PLANNING PERMISSION & LOCAL REGULATIONS

London-Specific

• 90-day limit tracked carefully (applies to entire home listings)
• Airbnb's automatic night tracking monitored
• Planning permission applied for if exceeding 90-day threshold
• Local authority fees budgeted (Westminster ~£800, Camden ~£400)

Nationwide considerations

• New planning "use class" regulations for short-term lets understood (2026)
• Clarification sought on whether property transitions automatically or needs new consent
• Local authority's stance on short-term letting concentrations researched
• Any Article 4 Directions or additional restrictions reviewed

Property-Specific

• Determined if letting primary residence or second property
• Conservation area restrictions checked
• Leasehold agreements and freehold covenants reviewed for short-term letting prohibition
• Mortgage lender consulted to ensure short-term letting is permitted

Building your routine: Ongoing compliance tasks

The secret to making this manageable? Build it into your regular rhythm. These aren't one-time tasks—they're just part of how you operate now. And once you establish the habit, most teams find it becomes almost automatic.

Monthly (Quick Check-In)

• Test all smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
• Review booking records and update any registration data
• Quick property walkthrough between guests (maintenance issues, cleanliness, safety)

Quarterly (Seasonal Review)

• Update any changes to property information with registration bodies
• Refresh safety signage and make sure it's visible to guests
• Quick audit of guest communications protocols (are we being responsive?)

Annually (The big review)

• Gas safety inspection and certification (book a Gas Safe engineer)
• Review and renew insurance policies
• Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) on all electrical items
• Fire extinguisher servicing
• Full compliance audit (run through this checklist again)
• Provide updated certificates to guests

Every five years (deep dive)

• Full electrical installation inspection
• Replace smoke alarm units (or per manufacturer specs)

As things change (Stay flexible)

• Renew licences before they expire (Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)
• Update registration details when property information changes
• Respond to any local authority inspection requests
• Incorporate new regulatory changes as they happen

TEAM COMMUNICATION & DOCUMENTATION

Documentation

• Central file with all safety certificates and inspection records
• Gas safety certificate visible to guests
• Fire safety procedures documented and visible
• Emergency contact procedures clear to team and guests

Team alignment

• Team briefed on monthly testing requirements
• Responsibility for each compliance area assigned
• Calendar reminders set for all monthly/annual/5-year tasks
• Incident reporting process documented

Guest communication

• Fire safety procedures provided to guests on arrival
• Emergency contacts and procedures clearly displayed
• Safety information included in welcome materials

You've got this!

Compliance and safety don't have to be complicated or stressful. They're just about building a rhythm,  doing the same things regularly, reliably, consistently. And once you establish that rhythm, everything gets easier.

Use this checklist to:

• Stay on top of what matters (without feeling overwhelmed)
• Avoid surprises and missed deadlines
• Build guest trust through visible, consistent care
• Scale confidently knowing your foundation is solid
• Sleep better at night

Next steps:

1. Print or bookmark this checklist
2. Customize it for your property and region
3. Share it with your team so everyone knows the plan
4. Set calendar reminders for monthly, quarterly, and annual tasks
5. Review it quarterly to keep yourself on track

For more on building compliance into your operations, check out our full guide: "Why Compliance & Safety Are Your Competitive Advantage in UK Short-Term Rentals."

Breezeway: The operations platform that helps hospitality teams deliver safe, compliant properties with confidence.