Electrical safety for short-term lets
Short-term and holiday lets sit outside some landlord rules, but not all of them. Scotland's licensing scheme sets clear electrical safety conditions.
Scotland
Short-term let hosts in Scotland must hold a licence from their council. The mandatory conditions include electrical safety in line with the standard for private rented homes, which in practice means a current EICR and PAT testing of the appliances you provide.
England, Wales and Northern Ireland
Holiday lets and short stays are generally not tenancies, so the private rented sector electrical regulations may not apply directly. Hosts still have duties to keep guests safe under consumer and fire safety law, and booking platforms and insurers often ask for an EICR.
Our recommendation
- An EICR at least every five years, or more often for heavily used properties
- PAT testing of all supplied appliances each year
- A record of both, ready for your insurer or a licensing officer
Questions
Do I need an EICR for an Airbnb in England?
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