Tourism accommodation advice
Setting up and growing a successful visitor accommodation business can feel daunting! That’s why the Thanet Tourism Team and Thanet District Council are here to ensure you have access to the most useful, up-to-date information and advice.
Your visitors need assurance that the accommodation they choose is clean, safe, welcoming, and fully compliant with all relevant legislation. We’ll help you get there!
Quality and trust: Accreditation & charters
Thanet District Council has a policy and prioritises promoting accommodation that demonstrates commitment to high standards. Showing a commitment to quality helps build visitor trust before they even arrive.
Official quality schemes
We promote properties that are quality accredited through schemes that involve inspection or minimum standards, such as:
- National Quality Assessment Scheme: Includes grading through VisitEngland’s Assessment Service or The AA, where ratings reflect services and facilities.
- Exceptional Awards: VisitEngland’s Gold, Silver, and Breakfast awards mark out exceptional quality within a property’s star rating.
- Compliance Assurance: Quality in Tourism’s Safe, Clean and Legal Scheme helps reassure guests that your property is safe and compliant, checking all necessary documentation is in place.
Thanet accommodation charter
Accommodation businesses signed up to the Thanet District Council Accommodation Charter commit to meeting a high level of standards, including legal responsibilities, service, cleanliness, and clear complaint/cancellation policies.
- Benefit: Properties signed up to the Charter can be promoted by the Tourism Service. They can also be included when responding to media enquiries and hosting media visits. Click here for Thanet Accommodation Charter sign-up forms
Useful information
Essential legislative compliance (The Pink Book)
An essential source of information for setting up your business is The Pink Book, a comprehensive guide from VisitEngland covering all the legislation accommodation providers need to know and follow.
Thanet District Council Advice: Setting up operations
Thanet District Council can offer specific advice to help you set up and open your B&B, hotel, guest house, or other type of visitor accommodation.
Planning permission
Planning permission may be required, depending on:
- The scale of the proposed business use in relation to the existing property use.
- The impact of the use on the character of the property or local area.
Building regulations
Building works may require a Building Regulation application. Issues to consider include:
- Alterations to the structure and drainage.
- Roof and thermal insulation.
- Fire precautions and sound insulation.
Environmental health and food safety
If you provide breakfast or other meals, you must register as a food business.
- Registration: You must register with the Council at least 28 days before starting operations (registration is free).
- Basic requirements: Premises must be clean and in good repair; food must be protected from contamination; food handlers must be trained; and a written food safety system must be in place.
- Advice: Detailed advice is available from the Thanet District Council’s Environmental Health Team and the Food Standards Agency website.
- Contact: Call the team on 01843 577000 or email environmental.health@thanet.gov.uk.
- Suitable food hygiene courses are available online.
Health and safety
Once running visitor accommodation, your home is considered a workplace. You have a legal duty for the safety of your guests, even if you don’t employ staff.
Key safety areas:
- Ensure safe access and exit routes.
- Confirm the safety of the electrical system and appliances.
- Furnishings must comply with fire-retardant standards (especially beds).
- Provide metal waste bins (not combustible material).
- Safeguard children near low windows and remove risks that could cause slips, trips, or falls.
- Fire Safety Guidance: A guide, ‘Making your small paying guest accommodation safe from fire‘, is available from the government to help you comply with fire safety law. Full details are also on the VisitBritain Business Advice Hub.
Licensing
If you plan on selling alcohol or supplying hot food/drink after 11 pm, you must contact the Licensing Department to gain a premise licence.
Contact: Call the team on 01843 577416 or email licensing@thanet.gov.uk
Business rates
You need to check whether Business rates apply to your property.
- Composite property: If you run the business from your main residence, the property will be a “composite.” You pay Council Tax on the residential part and Business Rates on the business part.
- Threshold: Business rates are only payable when you are able to accommodate six or more guests.
- Action: The Council’s Business Rates team can advise you, or contact the Valuation Office Agency for an inspection.
Sustainable accommodation
Find out more about making your accommodation more green by visiting our Sustainability and going green section!
