what rules & regs are there for running b&b?
Oct 23rd, 2009 by admin
having a wild pipe dream of starting a bed and breakfast but don’t know the first thing about it can anyone help
The short answer to this is there are very few rules. The philosophy behind the b&b industry stems from it’s simple origins where someone with a spare room lets it to a passing traveler in need. There is one area, however where this is not the case.
When my wife and I ran a b&b in the Cotswolds a few years ago there was a requirement to have adequate fire and evacuation safeguards. These included a fire alarm, integrated smoke detectors, doors that closed automatically and fire doors that have a fire resistant layer in them. Only b&bs that had 6 or more bed spaces (ie 3 doubles) above the ground floor had to meet these requirements though. We were inspected by the fire brigade every so often as we had 8 guest rooms.
We were also inspected by the local authority health inspectors occasionally, but I don’t think small scale b&bs would be on their ‘radar’.
Good luck in your new venture, and I hope you have as much fun and meet as many interesting people as we did.
lots ….. contact your local council because they differ council to council…..
go to CAB they will have a broad outline of standard requirements ….
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You had better ask the local council in the town where you intend to do it, as I am sure there are lots of rules and by-laws to get in your way, the main ones being health and safety, storage of food, fire precautions and escape routes if one occurs, and of coarse insurance in case any one should fall down the stairs etc.
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The short answer to this is there are very few rules. The philosophy behind the b&b industry stems from it’s simple origins where someone with a spare room lets it to a passing traveler in need. There is one area, however where this is not the case.
When my wife and I ran a b&b in the Cotswolds a few years ago there was a requirement to have adequate fire and evacuation safeguards. These included a fire alarm, integrated smoke detectors, doors that closed automatically and fire doors that have a fire resistant layer in them. Only b&bs that had 6 or more bed spaces (ie 3 doubles) above the ground floor had to meet these requirements though. We were inspected by the fire brigade every so often as we had 8 guest rooms.
We were also inspected by the local authority health inspectors occasionally, but I don’t think small scale b&bs would be on their ‘radar’.
Good luck in your new venture, and I hope you have as much fun and meet as many interesting people as we did.
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Was born in a b&b run by my parents and ran it with my wife for 5 years.
My mum turned her house into a b@b 2yrs ago, There are no regulations except the standard health and safety and fire regulation, Visit Britain are the people you give you ratings and they were really helpful to my mum and she now has a 4 star rating. Good networking really helps as well my mum introduced herself to some b@b’s near her and they’re really good friends now and if they’re full up they ring each other to pass the people on. It really is quite simple as long as you can keep on top of things and make sure you check with your local tax office to see about paying tax etc. good luck.
P.S my mums website is http://www.carols-bed-and-breakfast.co.uk
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Go for it! It’s hard work but very rewarding with the people you meet and the daily variety. We sit for friends who run a B&B. I was in the hotel trade years ago and it’s great to be back in the trade for short times.
You’ve had some pretty good answers already on rules and regulations. Your key task, once you’ve sorted out fire regs, health and safety, environmental health and insurance is marketing. What is there that’s special in your locality that will make people want to visit? Target the people who’re interested in it. For instance, if you were near Silverstone, you’d find ways of targeting people interested in motor racing.
For more on marketing your business, including a page about B&B’s, visit http://www.parrexcellence.com.
Good luck with your venture!
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