OWNER GUIDE

LETTING YOUR CARAVAN: THE RULES AND SAFETY CHECKS

Letting your caravan can help cover your site fees. Once you take paying guests, you take on legal duties for their safety. This guide sets out the main points for owners in England, Wales and Scotland. It is general information, so check the details for your own situation.

GET THE PARK'S PERMISSION FIRST

Your licence agreement decides whether you can let the caravan. NCC best practice guidance says parks should make clear before a sale whether a caravan can be sub-let, and set out the terms in writing if it can. Some parks allow private letting. Some only allow letting through the park. Some do not allow it at all. Some charge a fee. Check with the park before you advertise.

GAS SAFETY CHECKS

The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 apply to permanently sited holiday caravans. If you let the caravan, landlord duties apply. These include an annual gas safety check on each appliance and flue, carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. HSE guidance says that for holiday lets of under 28 days, the gas safety record should be displayed in the caravan.

Check the engineer's Gas Safe ID card. Make sure they are qualified for LPG and for the type of work and appliances in your caravan. Keep copies of every record.

SMOKE AND CARBON MONOXIDE ALARMS

Fit working smoke alarms, and a carbon monoxide alarm near any gas appliance. Test them before each guest arrives, and replace them at the end of their life. Ask guests to tell you at once if an alarm sounds or stops working.

FIRE SAFETY

In England and Wales, self-catering holiday lets, including holiday caravans, are covered by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. As the owner, you must carry out a fire risk assessment, act on it, and review it regularly. Fire and rescue services advise reviewing it at least once a year and after any big change.

The government publishes a guide for small paying guest accommodation that walks you through the steps. Scotland has its own fire safety rules for holiday lets, so owners there should check Scottish guidance.

• Keep escape routes and doors clear.
• Leave clear fire instructions for guests.
• Consider a fire blanket in the kitchen, with instructions.
• Keep records of alarm tests and servicing.

ELECTRICAL SAFETY

Have the caravan's electrics and any appliances you supply checked by a competent electrician. Keep the records with your gas safety paperwork.

INSURANCE

Standard holiday caravan insurance may not cover letting. Tell your insurer you plan to let, and make sure the policy covers paying guests. Look for public liability cover. Some parks require a set level of cover, so check your agreement.

TAX

Income from letting your caravan may be taxable. The special tax rules for furnished holiday lettings ended for Income Tax from 6 April 2025, and for Corporation Tax from 1 April 2025. Letting income is now treated like other property income. HMRC guidance is on gov.uk. Speak to an accountant about your own position.

WALES: REGISTER AND VISITOR LEVY

In Wales, anyone who provides overnight stays for visitors must register with the Welsh Revenue Authority. The Welsh Government lists static caravans as included. Registration opened in autumn 2026, and the deadline is 31 March 2027, even if your council does not bring in a visitor levy.

Councils in Wales can choose to charge a visitor levy. Charges from April 2027 onwards are possible, and councils must give notice in advance. The rate depends on the type of accommodation. Check gov.wales and your council for current details.

SCOTLAND: SHORT-TERM LET LICENSING

Scotland has a licensing scheme for short-term lets. Scottish Government guidance says that caravans provided on a licensed holiday site are generally excluded. However, the rules depend on the circumstances. Check with your council licensing team before you start letting. Some Scottish councils are also bringing in a visitor levy, so check what applies in your area.

KEYS AND GUEST SAFETY

Send key collection details privately to confirmed guests, close to their arrival. Never put key box codes in your listing or in public messages. Change any codes regularly.

Sources: hse.gov.uk hse.gov.uk gassaferegister.co.uk dsfire.gov.uk gov.uk gov.uk gov.wales gov.wales gov.scot mygov.scot thencc.org.uk. Checked October 2026. Information, not advice.