Which Certifications?

WHICH CERTIFICATIONS?

Don't worry you don't need to have a degree in 'How to run a B&B' - there is no such thing and anybody that asks for money in exchange for a guide or 'ebook' on how to set up and run a B&B is tricking you into something that you can find for free on the internet - like this site right here!

See - HOW TO SET UP A B&B? for details on the planning issues which you will need to check with your council to see what they require if anything.  Planning is a long but necessary step to have your home legally transferred as a 'Change of Use'

Then there are a few other certificates you will need in order to trade legally.  Some people don't have them all but they are leaving themselves open to any legal ramifications in the future should for example a guest fall down the stairs and what to sue.....

PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE CERTIFICATE
Necessary if you are using your home as a business which you will be by having paying guests enter your home.
Most insurance companies can combine Home and Contents insurance with Public Liability up to £1million.

Some people say that you need liability up to £2million.  Honestly this is really not necessary - Public Liability insurance up to £1million is perfectly adequate unless you are opening a 30 room hotel :)

Your current Home insurance company should be able to add Public liability on to your insurance bill for around £20+ per month depending which company you are with.  if you don't like the price - shop around there are loads of these comparison sites nowadays for you to check the going rate.

It is not a must to display any certificates in the hallway or in breakfast rooms but some people do have the need to display everything so if you are one of these people then go right ahead and frame them.

BASIC FOOD HYGIENE CERTIFICATE
This is actually part of two things that you will have to do.  The First is to obtain a basic food Hygiene certificate.  I completed mine online and there are many companies to choose from, it cost me around £25 to do and it was an online 2 hour course, when completed a certificate is sent to you the next day.  It's the easiest and most stress free way to get one if you don't already have one.

People ask why do I need one when I am making breakfast in my own home? - Simply because you are serving food to paying guests, there health laws in place that protect those paying guests hence......

CONTACT YOUR COUNCIL'S ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH OFFICER
They will pay you a visit normally at an agreed time so don't worry about them turning up out of the blue just yet.  They will check the cleanliness of the kitchen, check inside your fridge - so move the fish away from the cooked meat! - and ask you some questions relating to how you cook breakfast.

Most forget the first time that a TEMPERATURE LOG is required by Environmental health as a record of Fridge, Freezer and cooked food temperatures should anyone complain to them about your cooking.  So get one, you can buy them off eBay cheaply along with LED TEMPERATURE PROBES and probe wipes, also don't forget two small thermometers, one in the fridge and one for the freezer - health officers don't seem to trust the Digital displays on the front!  Most of these can be bought off eBay from different buyers for around £20-£25.

If you are deemed unfit to serve food, don't worry they won't shut you down unless you have rats in the egg tray :)  You'll simply be given some recommendations and just act on them!

A Health check is necessary nowadays as the government has food safety sites where you will be listed so people can check to see if it is safe to eat your sausages - I know - it's red tape gone mad but it's the law!

PLANNING CERTIFICATE
This you will receive after the planning has all gone through.  Keep it in case you ever want to sell the house as a running B&B.  See the HOW TO SET UP A B&B? page for planning information.

You do not need any other certificates to run a B&B but there are plenty of others out there that are considered extras should you wish to get to them like a star-rating certificate, or AA rating etc, the list goes on.  You never know, they might actually introduce a B&B Degree one day!