Being a Safe Stays Member allows you to come back to us as many times as you feel necessary for questions and queries where we will give you the most straight-forward advice, appropriate to your circumstances.
As an operator of an FHL where do you look for answers to your questions? PASC? Facebook support groups? Friends and family?
Like any group of people, FHL operators like to be part of a network to share stories and ask questions. Facebook and other network groups, are a great place to meet like minded people and know you’re not alone, especially when dealing with rogue guests.
However, it’s surprising that people find solace in the advice of a stranger from the internet when they possibly have no knowledge of the comparability of the person’s property, no understanding of current legislative requirements, and there is no explanation of their interpretation of guidance or how they derived their conclusions, .
We’ve seen queries relating to whether owners need to obtain a premises licences or designated premises supervisors (DPS) and covered this query before in our blog of myth busting licensing. In addition, we’ve seen queries relating to food hygiene qualifications owing to owners wanting to leave a welcome hamper. Again, we’ve provided regulatory advice on this, getting advice from an expert, and we’re happy to challenge authorities should they consider otherwise (it’s kind of what we do). Taking our advice on these 2 issues alone, could have saved the owner approximately £180, as well as any time spent researching.
Additionally, we’ve seen advice relating to fire risk assessments, where what has been identified as necessary for one FHL, the operator has advised for others “because that’s what works for them” including the installation of fire doors, emergency lighting, and undertaking weekly checks of fire equipment when this may not be necessary.
People giving advice are often well meaning and intentioned, but unfortunately not necessarily correct, and it can be costly to follow incorrect advice. Why spend thousands updating your fire alarm system for it not to meet requirements? Why buy a premises licence if you don’t need to?
It can be even more costly if an accident were to happen and the operator was sued for injury or loss of earnings,
As the guidance states, and we concur, “All premises are different, as are the people who own, manage or stay in them. What may be considered good enough protection in one premises may not be considered good enough in another”.
It’s so important to get it right, for your business and for guests that stay with you. For property specific advice and ongoing support, join us.