As one of the benefits of being a client of J L Morris (Insurance
Brokers) Limited for your self catering insurances, you may find the
following information to be useful.
All businesses, of any type or trade, are required
to comply with legislation. Whilst this list is not exhaustive,
it may help you to be aware of what is required for self catering
businesses. Let us assume you have planning permission, you are
paying business rates and that your mortgage provider is charging
interest on a commercial basis!
The Housing Act 1988 defines 'holiday letting'
as 'a tenancy the purpose of which is to confer on the tenants
the right to occupy the dwelling house for a holiday'.
FIRE
Unless you also provide serviced accommodation,
the Regulatory
Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2004 - effective from 1st October 2006 - will probably not apply. However,
many self catering establishments could become a HMO (House in
Multiple Occupation *), especially over the winter period but refer
to your local or national self catering organisation or your letting/managing
agent as it is possible that your local authority could also consider
your premises to be an HMO during the holiday season. The fire
regulations in the Housing Act 1985 may be relevant.
*An HMO is defined as an ‘house which is
occupied by persons who do not form a single household’.
The Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations
1997 (amended 1999) will apply whilst you have employees within
the premises.
FOOD AND DRINK
By definition, a self catering establishment
will not provide food and drink unless as a 'welcome pack' or a
friendly cup of tea and cake as the visitors arrive.
You may need to check the Food Safety Act 1990.
Our self catering policy specifically provides
cover for up to £50.00 for 'stock' (to include food) per
letting unit, and product liability up to £2 million.
TELEVISION LICENCES
You may need to check with Hotel Licensing Centre,
TV Licensing, Bristol BS98 1TL (0117 921 9321) in respect of:-
guests' accommodation
touring caravans
live in staff
yourselves as private individuals
if you live at the same location as the business
UTILITIES
There are strict rules about gas installations
and appliances, and electrical equipment. Each gas appliance is
to be safety checked annually by a CORGI registered fitter. Your
electrical equipment is to be 'safe'.
Private Water Supplies, A guide to the laws
controlling private water supplies - available from DETR (Department
of the Environment, Transport and the Regions).
Landlords Tenants and Electricity Charges
Selling Gas to Tenants |
} If you 'resell' to your tenants/
} holidaymakers |
available from your supplier.
Failure of your water supply is not an insured
event under your self catering Policy. However, this would be insured
by loss of amenity within our Holiday Cancellation Insurance.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 (as
amended)
Occupiers Liability Acts 1957 and 1984
Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act
1969
Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Regulations
1998
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations
1999
Provision of Use of Work Equipment Regulations
1998
Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations
1992
Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
General Product Safety Regulations 1994
Gas Cooking Appliances (Safety) Regulations 1989
Control of Substances Harmful to Health Regulations
1994
Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994
Trades Descriptions Act 1968
Consumer Protection Act 1987
Package Travel Regulations 1992
Disability Discrimination Act 1995
Sex Discrimination Act 1975
Race Relations Act 1986
Immigration (Hotel Records) Order 1972 as amended
Data Protection Act 1984
Working Time Regulations 1998 (amended 1999)
EC Regulation 2037/2000 (relates to halon fire
extinguishers)
Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002
Display Screen Equipment Regulations 1992
Bunk Beds (Entrapment Hazards) (Safety) Regulations
1987
The Toys (Safety) Regulations 1995
Don't forget the new style accident book as from 31st December
2003!
For further advice:
