Quality in Tourism Safe, Clean & Legal

Safe, Clean and Legal

Consumers often assume that any property that they stay in is safe and compliant. In reality, this may not be the case, particularly with the boom of the internet and the rise of second room renters.

Our assessors are the enforcers of legal standards for the industry, ensuring that businesses have the correct documentation and checks in place from fire safety to food safety, confirming that the accommodation meets or exceeds minimum standards.

Our checks are annual, robust and objective, rather than personal opinion. It’s this impartiality that makes the scheme so strong.

The accreditation is suitable for entry level hospitality products, when quality (star) ratings may not be relevant or applicable. The accreditation works for home stay type of accommodation and the private rental sector, the object being to reassure potential guests that simple checks ensuring the viability of your product (and reliability of the information provided) has been carried out by an independent third party.

Our Safe, Clean and Legal scheme has been approved as a Primary Authority co-ordinated partnership with Cornwall Council, which has been ratified by the Secretary of State. This means that for local authorities across the country there is a system in place to help 'register' properties that are advertising on shared economy platforms such as Airbnb or HomeAway. For Destination Management Organisations who are helping to promote properties to visitors, they can encourage the property owner to undertake a Safe,Clean & Legal assessment in a bid to ultimately protect the consumer. Our ultimate aim is to protect the consumer, giving them a badge of confidence to look for when booking accommodation for an overnight stay; whether that is a homestay, B&B, hotel or self-catering establishment. Read more here..

What do we look for in our Safe, Clean and Legal assessment?

Safety & legal requirements

Compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order October 2005
Health & Safety Assessment of the property
Public Liability insurance
Home & Contents insurance
Compliance with Food Safety & Hygiene regulations
Compliance with regulations surrounding Allergies and Food Labelling
Licenses for serving alcohol to the public and special events (where relevant)
Planning regulations adhered to
Data Protection Act 1998
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) 2018
Equality Act 2010
Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008
TV Licence
Other licences where relevant - Performing Rights Society, Phonographic Performance Ltd and Motion Picture Licensing Company

Furniture, Facilities and Equipment

Equipment should comply with British Safety Standards
Handrails fitted to staircases
Garden ponds fenced off

Cleanliness and hygiene

All areas should be cleaned and checked thoroughly between lets - guests don't want reminders of other guests!
Broken or damaged items should be replaced

Communication with guests

All advertising and pre-booking information should explicitly cover what is included in the price
Full details of sleeping arrangements and bathrooms available should be provided in all communications
Any in-house policies must be communicated at the time of booking
Guests should be informed, prior to booking, of any additional charges or facilities available including cancellation terms, housekeeping and/or breakage deposits

Evaluation and report

Safe, Clean and Legal^TM is a pass or fail scheme, based against a full list of criteria. Our assessors will offer advice on best practice or improvements where relevant.

How much does it cost?

Give your guests confidence in your property from just £100 + VAT. To apply call 0845 300 6996 or complete our application form below.

You will be asked to upload your Fire Risk Assessment and Public Liability insurance certification alongside your application in order to qualify for a visit. Once the certification has been uploaded, an assessor will arrange to visit in order to accredit your property.