Holiday Let Business Rates & Council Tax Guide for 2025
Whether you plan to use your second property for your own holidays or let it out and make a...
Our data shows that buying a hot tub for your holiday let could boost your revenue by 37%. Hot tubs are also the second most searched-for feature on our website, meaning they could provide the key to more bookings for your holiday property.
Our guide to hot tubs for holiday lets gives you all the important guidance on rules, regulations and more so you can keep your guests safe and stand out from the competition.
Use the quick links below to skip to a particular topic or continue reading for our complete hot tub guide for holiday lets:
Holiday lets with hot tubs are becoming more and more sought-after. In the last twelve months, there were an average of 22,200 google searches a month for the phrase ‘cottages with hot tubs’, 201,000 for ‘lodges with hot tubs’ and 33,100 for ‘glamping with hot tub’.
With this level of interest, it goes without saying that self-catering properties with hot tubs are high in demand. This is likely to mean more bookings for your property, and as a result, more income!
Hot tubs aren’t just for long summer nights. They can provide year-round appeal, meaning you could increase your low-season bookings. Even in the colder months, guests can appreciate the added luxury of coming back from a blustery walk to sit under the stars in a warm, bubbling oasis. It makes for a memorable holiday highlight.
A hot tub can ‘up the ante’ in any holiday cottage, giving your property a unique selling point that not only increases your holiday let’s appeal, but also creates a relaxing haven for your guests. In a competitive market, having this distinguishing feature sets your property apart and allows you to command a higher rental rate. These little extras can be the deciding factor for potential guests choosing your holiday let over others.
More and more people are looking for holiday cottages that offer luxuries they don’t have at home. Downtime with family and friends is the ultimate luxury, and where better to spend it than in a hot tub? Having a unique luxury feature like this will increase guest satisfaction, potentially resulting in positive reviews and increased bookings.
We believe that a hot tub should be a real feature of your holiday cottage. If you’ve got stunning views from your back garden, make the most of it by positioning your hot tub where your guests can enjoy them. After all, what could be better than relaxing in a warming tub with friends and family, while looking out over the seaside or rolling green countryside?
You’ll also want to create a relaxing haven for your guests, where they can switch off and cut out the world, so privacy is key. Strategically placed gazebos, fencing, climbing plants, or shrubbery will give guests a degree of privacy and ensure the spot isn’t overlooked.
For more top tips and other ideas, read our blog on how to maximise your holiday lets outdoor space.
Of course, there are costs associated with running and owning a hot tub. It’s important you consider this before investing in one. Here are the main costs you need to be aware of:
It is essential to work out the cost of operating a hot tub and keep track of outgoings to ensure your holiday let business is a success. It’s worth considering the following factors which will affect your hot tub’s running costs:
For more information on keeping on top of expenses, read our blog on the costs of running a holiday let.
Planning permission is not usually required for installing a hot tub, but it is always worth checking with your local authority to be certain. In some cases, there will be a requirement. For example, if your hot tub is in a conservation area, or it forms part of a structure in your garden or property. If you are in doubt about whether planning is required, check with your local planning office for clarification.
Read more about this topic in our guide to holiday let planning permission.
A comprehensive holiday letting insurance policy is essential and is designed to protect you, your holiday cottage and visiting guests. You will need to make sure your insurance covers any damage or accidents that might occur as a result of a specific feature like a hot tub.
For detailed information on why it’s important to have the necessary cover, read our holiday let insurance guide.
As a holiday let owner, it’s always important to ensure a safe and relaxing environment for guests. As you might imagine, hot tubs can require some additional consideration.
By implementing some basic hot tub rules and safety guidelines, your guests will be warm, cosy and safe. The most convenient way to include these instructions and any other property information is in your guest information pack. Here are some hot tub rules and regulations to consider:
Every hot tub is different, so it’s important to provide guests with clear and simple instructions that demonstrate the functionality of the tub. This should include:
Having comprehensive instructions will make life easier for guests and ensure that your holiday let’s hot tub is used properly and safely.
The key to protecting a hot tub is making sure guests cover it up when not in use. Keeping the cover on not only keeps a hot tub clean but also acts as an insulator to keep it warm for when guests want to use it again. Making sure a cover is properly secured will provide guests peace of mind, allowing them to relax if there are children and pets about.
It is always a good idea to encourage guests to shower with their costumes on before using the hot tub. This will help remove detergents, cosmetics, and lotions from the body and costume, helping keep the water clean.
Accidents happen, but it’s important to stress that guests do not use glass in or around the hot tub. Reduce any potential risks by asking guests not to eat or drink in the tub. Alternatively, you can provide plastic glasses for use around the tub to prevent them from using glass.
Make sure that everyone is kept safe by making it clear that non-swimmers and children should not be left unattended. Generally, it’s advised that children under the age of five shouldn’t be allowed to use a hot tub.
For the purpose of both safety and comfort, every hot tub is designed for a maximum number of bathers at one time. Advise guests what the limit is and let them know that this needs to be strictly adhered to.
It is important to understand the guidance on operating and maintaining hot tubs to make them safe and enjoyable. The Health & Safety Executive has published guidance for anyone responsible for managing hot tubs as part of a business activity.
Every property owner has a general care of duty to assess a hot tub’s risk and implement appropriate measures to ensure guest safety. Following a few simple steps and guidelines allows you to ensure that you are compliant.
Find out more on the Health & Safety Guidance 282 (HSG282) document.
Ultimately, the guidance is there to protect both you, as the holiday let business owner, and your guests. It provides effective ways to safely manage and control systems through testing, inspections, operation and maintenance to help keep everyone safe. Other important information and guidelines can be found on the British and Irish Spa and hot tub association (BISHTA) website.
For more insight into health and safety for holiday lets, read our blog about holiday let rules and regulations.
Hot tub maintenance is fairly straightforward and if done correctly will keep your investment in great condition, safe and ready for guests to use.
It is essential to plan the hot tub’s installation layout and consider the area in which you want it installed. When filled with water and guests, a hot tub is extremely heavy; it will need a strong, solid, level base to support it.
While the ideal hot tub temperature varies from person to person, 37-38°C tends to be a comfortable bathing temperature. Both BISHTA and the HSE HSG282 recommend that the water temperature in your hot tub should not exceed 40°C.
Hot tub cleaning chemicals should always be used safely and stored in a locked location or out of the reach of children and pets.
Use adequate and safe non-slip materials on steps and flooring. Installing anti-skid treads for steps and providing rubber mats on floors will safeguard guests from accidents as they enter or leave the tub.
Depending on where your hot tub is installed, you may want to consider using sand paint for decked areas, or make sure the flooring around the tub is non-slip. Providing additional towels or keeping a mop handy will help guests keep the floor dry after use.
For the health and safety of your guests, cleaning your holiday let’s hot tub is essential. Having a suitable cleaning routine and using the correct products is key. It will make your hot tub cleaning regime easier, while prolonging your hot tub’s longevity.
Once the tub is completely drained, it’s recommended that you wipe all the surfaces with a soft cloth or tub scrubber to remove any sediment, dirt or debris.
Part of the process is also to check and ensure that the filter is clean. A filter works continuously to trap particles in the water, so it’s important to check that the filters are rinsed and working properly. Finally, make sure the cover is regularly cleaned, especially the underside.
Hot tubs do require specialist cleaning products.
Regular household products are often unsuitable and can cause issues with water maintenance and possibly damage the tub’s structure. It’s recommended to adhere to the manufacturer’s guidance on cleaning products as they’ve been developed specifically for individual hot tubs.
A hot tub in a holiday cottage will need to be drained, cleaned and refilled at each changeover. Once refilled, your hot tub will then need to have the pH level balanced and water sanitised.
Depending on its size, most hot tubs take between three to eight hours to get back up to the desired temperature. So it’s worth letting guests know that it might need some time to heat up before they can have a soak.
To ensure your hot tub remains clean and protected, and the water quality is safe for guests, you must have a suitable water sanitiser. A sanitiser kills bacteria and purifies the water. It is the most critical component of a healthy hot tub experience.
Chlorine and bromine are the two commonly used disinfectants and are most effective at keeping a hot tub clean. Other chemicals needed for a hot tub are pH increasers for when the water is too acidic, and pH decreasers for when the water is too alkaline. Both sanitiser and pH levels can be checked using specific testing strips.
To keep a hot tub running smoothly, it’s recommended that it is professionally serviced regularly. A full service usually includes a complete overhaul of the hot tub, a deep clean from top to bottom, and a thorough clean of the internal plumbing and filtration system.
Contact your hot tub supplier regarding service and maintenance requirements or get in touch with our Managed Services team who will be able to assist you in finding a trusted local contact.
As hot tubs are a substantial investment, it’s important to choose the right one for your holiday let. You want one that will last and benefit guests for years to come. Hard-shell hot tubs tend to be the most popular choice as they come with a range of features including multiple jets, coloured lights, speakers, and blowers, plus they will last longer than soft-shell ones.
There are several things to consider when choosing the right hot tub:
There are many hot tubs specifically designed for holiday lets with commercial needs in mind. Many are now HSG282 compliant. These tubs offer easy-to-use controls, giving guests limited access to basic functions. As with any high-value item, it is essential to do a bit of research before making your investment.
For help finding the right hot tub for your holiday let, get in touch with our friends at Hydrolife. They have a showroom in Exeter, and are happy to answer any of your hot tub questions.
Though it may seem like there are a lot of rules and restrictions when it comes to having a hot tub at your holiday let, if managed properly a hot tub can be an amazing addition to a property. It gives you an opportunity for increased occupancy, higher revenue and most importantly, a positive guest experience.
Whether you are considering letting your holiday home or you already run a holiday letting business, the following owner guides may be useful to you:
If you own a holiday home and you’re looking at other ways to improve your property, visit our property owners blog for a whole host of advice. With over 20 years of experience, we can offer you everything from advice on energy performance certificates to housekeeping and laundry.
To find out more about holiday letting with Coast & Country Cottages, request your FREE Owner’s Guide today or call our team of holiday letting experts.
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*As a holiday letting owner you are responsible for compliance with health & safety laws, regulations and guidance, and for having suitable insurances in place (not Sykes Holiday Cottages or its brands (Sykes)). From time to time, Sykes shares information with you on the topic of health and safety and insurance. When it does so, it is not providing you with advice (legal, financial, tax or otherwise); please seek your own as you see fit. In addition, it is not making any representations or warranties about the information being complete or free from errors or inaccuracies. Sykes shall not be liable for any loss or damage arising under or in connection with your reliance on it.
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