Is Your Holiday Let Actually Compliant?
Devon's single point of contact for holiday let maintenance and compliance
Know where your Devon holiday let stands before guests or regulators do. An on-site inspection of up to three hours, depending on property size, a photo report within 48 hours and a priority action list, for £195.
Most owners already have CP12 and EICR in place, but paperwork only reflects a property at the time it was issued. Holiday lets change quickly through guest use, wear and tear and seasonal demand. This check reviews the paperwork and the real-world condition together.
I do not issue certificates myself. Where something is due or missing, I book the Gas Safe engineer, electrician or assessor who does, and track the expiry dates for you.
Suitable for paying-guest properties across Dartmoor, Okehampton, Exeter, Newton Abbot, Bovey Tracey, Torquay, Torbay and South Devon that need a clear view of how they stand today.
Suitable for owners preparing for tighter registration and documentation expectations.
Who This Check Is For
Holiday let owners and managing agents remain legally responsible for safety and compliance. Many already have CP12, EICR and a fire risk assessment in place but are still unsure whether anything has been missed, whether documents are still current, or whether the property matches the way it is actually used day to day.
This inspection provides a clear snapshot of what is in place, what is missing and what needs attention on a specific date at a specific property. It supports owners in demonstrating that reasonable steps have been taken and gives a practical action list rather than a pile of disconnected paperwork.
For many owners this check is also the starting point for an ongoing relationship. Rather than juggling separate contacts for compliance, maintenance and trade coordination, Acacia becomes the single point of contact for all of it, someone who already knows the property rather than a new contractor starting from scratch each time.
If you want to understand the kinds of issues that commonly get missed in holiday lets, I also share practical guidance for owners and agents in the holiday let advice hub.
What the Compliance Check Covers
A Devon holiday let compliance inspection checks that the main safety certificates are in place and current, and looks at the physical condition of the property, in a single structured visit. The five core areas are:
Gas Safety (CP12)
Annual gas safety inspections are a legal requirement for any holiday let with gas appliances. The check reviews whether a current CP12 is in place, whether it is held digitally as well as on site, and whether any previous advisory or at-risk notices have been followed up. If the certificate is approaching expiry, coordination with a Gas Safe registered engineer can be arranged.
Read more about CP12 →Electrical Safety (EICR & PAT)
A current EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) is required by most holiday let insurers and managing agents. The check confirms whether a valid report is in place, when it expires and whether any C1 or C2 observations were addressed. PAT testing records for portable appliances are reviewed alongside the fixed wiring documentation. If either is due, I can book a qualified electrician.
Read more about EICR →Fire Safety & FRA
Since October 2023, a written Fire Risk Assessment is legally required for paying guest accommodation in England. The check reviews whether an FRA exists and is property-specific, whether fire alarms are interlinked and tested, whether smoke and CO alarms cover the right areas, escape routes are clear and emergency lighting is adequate for the layout. The FRA itself remains the responsibility of the owner as Responsible Person; if yours needs writing or updating, I can recommend a competent assessor.
Read more about fire safety →Water Hygiene & Legionella
Landlords, including holiday let owners, have a legal duty to assess and control Legionella risk. For holiday lets this often takes the form of a simple owner's risk assessment that records the water system, potential risks and the steps taken to manage them: maintaining water temperatures, flushing infrequently used outlets and checking showerheads regularly. The check confirms whether yours exists and whether the routine it sets out is actually being followed.
General Guest Safety & Maintenance Condition
Beyond the certificates, the inspection covers the physical condition of the property as a guest will find it. This includes checking alarms are operational, exits are unobstructed, furniture is secure, external areas are safe and any specific hazards, such as log burners, hot tubs or mezzanine levels, have appropriate measures in place. A photographic record is made of every observation.
At a Glance: Main Holiday Let Certificates
Understanding what each certificate covers, who carries it out and how often it needs renewing.
| Certificate | Who Carries It Out | Frequency | Legal Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gas Safety (CP12) | Gas Safe registered engineer | Annual | Yes |
| EICR | Competent registered electrician | Every 5 years (or as recommended) | Required by most insurers |
| Fire Risk Assessment | Owner or competent assessor | Annual review; update on change | Yes (since Oct 2023) |
| Legionella Risk Assessment | Owner or competent person | On change; review annually | Yes |
| PAT Testing | Competent person | Risk-based (commonly annual) | Required by most insurers |
| Smoke & CO Alarms | Owner / operator | Test at each changeover | Yes |
Acacia checks that each of these is in place and current, and books the qualified people who carry them out. I do not issue any of these certificates myself. Requirements evolve, so always check current guidance with your insurer, letting agent and the relevant regulatory bodies.
What You Get In Practice
- Structured on-site inspection covering every main safety area
- Certificate and document review: current status and expiry tracking
- Photo-verified report with observations, priorities and next steps
- Prioritised action list so you know what needs immediate attention and what can be planned
- Coordination of specialist trades (Gas Safe engineers, electricians) where follow-up work is identified
A Compliance Check Is a Snapshot. Property Care Is Ongoing.
A compliance check tells you where things stand on the day of the visit. What happens between visits, guest use, wear and tear, the odd loose hinge or dripping tap, is usually a separate problem for most owners, solved by a scattered list of contacts: an electrician for one job, a handyman for another, a cleaner who flags something and hopes someone follows up.
Acacia Property Care is built to be the one contact for both. Alongside compliance, I offer Property Watch for ongoing seasonal oversight between lets, minor fixes done on the spot during the visit, bigger jobs quoted and approved before any work proceeds, and everything reported regardless of size. For general upkeep and reactive repairs across the county, see the holiday let maintenance overview.
The result is one relationship instead of five: compliance, maintenance and trade coordination handled by someone who already knows the property.
Client Feedback
What Owners and Agents Say
Short excerpts taken from verified Google reviews. You can read the full comments on Google at any time.
"In a time when it's very difficult to get hold of reliable, trustworthy and skilled tradesmen we feel lucky to have found Peter. Highly recommended."
"Peter has been in my home doing repairs and alterations in the kitchen, the bathroom and outdoors. The work was always done to a very high standard and he is very trustworthy."
"Pete has helped us so much with work needed, from painting to putting up shelves - his attention to detail is incredible. We'll definitely be getting Pete back."
"Peter came bang on time and was thoroughly professional fitting our decking. Friendly, knowledgeable - I would totally recommend his services."
"Very happy to recommend. Good workmanship, good communication, careful and polite."
"Peter Kempe is a very accomplished builder who has just finished the fitting of our new large kitchen to our complete satisfaction."
Google rating based on recent client reviews for Acacia Property Care.
What the Report Looks Like
You receive a written report with photos, priorities and clear next steps. Not a pile of certificates.
Proof of Method
What a Compliance Check Report Looks Like
A Compliance Check records what is actually present in your property on a specific date. It documents observed risks, prioritises actions, and creates an evidence trail owners can retain.
A Checklist
Shows what should exist in a holiday let. Useful for awareness, but it does not confirm what is actually in place in your property today.
A Compliance Check
Documents real conditions, missing items, and deterioration, with prioritised actions and a report you can retain as evidence of reasonable steps taken.
Cover Page
Illustrative cover showing audit type, property, and inspection date.
Audit Summary
Demonstrates scope, issue count, and traceability.
Logged Issue
Example issue showing priority and recommended action.
How issues are rated
Guest-ready. No immediate action required.
Fix before escalation to prevent damage or guest complaints.
Urgent safety risk or statutory compliance failure.
Not everything needs fixing today. The report tells you what does, and in what order.
Important Clarification
A Compliance Check does not replace statutory inspections, certifications, or the legal responsibilities of property owners or appointed duty holders. It provides documented oversight to help demonstrate that reasonable steps have been taken to identify and manage risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
What compliance certificates does a Devon holiday let need?
Legally required: an annual gas safety check (CP12) if the property has gas appliances, a written Fire Risk Assessment (since October 2023), suitable smoke detection (with CO alarms near fuel-burning appliances, as fire safety guidance expects) and an assessment of Legionella risk. Expected by most insurers and letting agents: an EICR at least every five years and PAT testing of portable appliances. I check that each of these is in place and current. The certificates themselves are issued by Gas Safe engineers, electricians and other qualified people, who I can book for you.
How long does a holiday let compliance inspection take?
The structured on-site inspection takes up to three hours on site, depending on the size and complexity of the property. The resulting report is sent within 48 hours of the visit.
Can I combine a compliance check with other maintenance work?
Yes. Many owners combine a compliance check with a pre-season condition check, winter inspection, or general property review. Coordination of gas and electrical engineers can often be arranged for the same visit window to reduce disruption.
What happens if my property fails the compliance check?
The inspection does not pass or fail in a binary sense. It produces a prioritised list of what is in place, what is approaching expiry, and what needs attention. Items are graded by urgency so you know what to address immediately and what can be planned over the coming weeks or months.
Do managing agents and Airbnb require compliance certificates?
Most established holiday letting agents require current CP12, EICR and evidence of smoke and CO alarms as a condition of listing. Some platforms and insurers also require a written Fire Risk Assessment and evidence of periodic property checks. Requirements vary. A compliance review helps you understand exactly what you have and what gaps exist before renewing a management agreement or listing contract.
Compliance Support Across Devon
Properties across Devon combine compliance checks with practical maintenance support to keep holiday lets safe and guest-ready year-round. I work with owners across Dartmoor, Okehampton, Exeter, Newton Abbot, Bovey Tracey, Torquay, Torbay and South Devon.
Get in Touch
Maintenance issue, compliance check, or urgent call-out? Let me know what you need and I'll come back to you the same day.
Or drop me a message
Three fields. I'll reply within a few hours.
Based in Chagford. Covering Dartmoor, Okehampton, Exeter, Newton Abbot, Bovey Tracey, Torquay, Torbay and South Devon.