Know your legal obligations
Essential guidance on the legal obligations of tourism accommodation and attraction businesses in England.
The Pink Book contains guidance on:
- Laws and regulations affecting tourism accommodation and attraction businesses in England.
- New and updated legislation that you need to know about.
- Your responsibilities as an employer and business-owner.
- Crucial licences and consents, and health and safety laws.
- Business management and tax rules, for companies of all sizes.
- Laws regarding discrimination, working hours, GDPR and more.
Buy a printed copy of our legislation guide
Top Resources
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Complete your Fire Risk Assessment
Use our free template to help comply with your legal obligation.
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Latest regulatory updates
Stay up to date on the latest legislation changes with our regular update.
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Alcohol, entertainment and gaming licensing
If you want to provide any alcohol, you will need a licence. You may need a licence or permit to have gaming machines.
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Buy a Pink Book
Printed copies of the Pink Book are available to purchase.
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Planning and building
Change of use consent and building regulations may apply if you are starting, changing or expanding your business premises.
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Registration and data protection
Your obligation to record certain guest details, data protection regulations and CCTV requirements.
Licences and consents
Ensure that you have the correct permissions and certification for your business.
Alcohol, entertainment and gaming licensing
If you want to provide any alcohol, you will need a licence. You may need a licence or permit to have gaming machines.
TV and copyright licences
You need special licences to allow your guests to access TVs, films and music.
Planning and building
Change of use consent and building regulations may apply if you are starting, changing or expanding your business premises.
Signs for your premises
Permission requirements to display exterior signage and how to apply for a brown tourism sign.
Customers
Understand your rights and obligations when dealing with customers and the public.
Pricing and charging
How to advertise your prices within the law and the ban on debit and credit card payment charges.
Bookings and Tickets
An overview of booking terms and conditions and selling tickets.
Registration, data protection and surveillance
Your obligation to record certain guest details, data protection regulations and CCTV requirements.
Cancellations and no-shows
Your rights when a guest cancels and your obligations if you cannot fulfil a booking.
Accepting customers
When you can refuse a customer and what counts as discrimination under the Equality Act, including age discrimination.
Disabled customers
Your obligations under the Equality Act 2010 regarding anyone who is disabled, thought to be disabled or associated with someone who is disabled.
Luggage and belongings
Your responsibility to keep guests’ belongings secure and your right to keep luggage until the bill has been paid.
Childcare
If you provide childcare facilities, there are specific regulations you need to follow.
Alternative dispute resolution
What you need to do if you cannot resolve a dispute with a customer and what to show on your website if you take online bookings.
Food and drink
If your business serves food or drink, learn more about your duties and responsibilities.
Environmental protection
Whether your business is large or small, sustainable choices make a big difference.
Health and safety
Essential legislation and guidance to keep you, your staff and your customers safe.
Health & Safety at Work Act
Your responsibilities for the safety of your staff and your legal obligation to complete a health & safety assessment.
Health and safety liabilities
Your liability to guests and employees, what insurance you can take and whether you need a licence to transport guests.
Safety management
Your legal obligations under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
Hazards from work activities
How to ensure your staff do their jobs safely, such as employees who use computers.
Legionnaires’ disease
Legionella is classified as a “hazardous substance” and you are required to undertake a risk assessment, and any subsequent remedial actions, in o
Hazards in the workplace
Guidance on the use of safety glass, preventing trips and testing electrical products.
Product safety
How to ensure you provide safe products for your customers, particularly for gas and electrical appliances.
Swimming, gym and outdoor safety
How to manage health & safety for swimming pools and gyms and whether you need a licence for adventure activities.
Fire safety (general)
How the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies to tourism businesses.
Fire safety of furniture and furnishings
What legislation applies in relation to the fire safety of furniture.
Complete your Fire Risk Assessment
Use our free template to help comply with your legal obligation.
Smoking in public places
Your legal duty to display a no smoking sign and ensure enclosed spaces remain smoke-free.
Staff
If you have employees – whether staff or contractors – this section applies to you.
Working hours
An overview of the Working Time Regulations and what your employees are entitled to.
National Minimum Wage
The current minimum rates of pay you must provide and who is entitled to it.
Discrimination
Guidance on the Equality Act 2010 and legally protected characteristics.
Time off for parents
Your obligations regarding maternity and paternity rights, flexible working and parental leave.
Migrant workers
What documents you need to check for workers originally from outside the UK.
Employing under 18s
The legalities around employing staff under the age of 18.
Workplace pensions
If you employ staff you must provide a pension scheme and contribute towards it.
Business management and tax
Know your legal responsibilities and requirements as a tourism business owner.
Income tax, VAT & legal form of business
There are different tax implications depending on your form of business.
Tax status of accommodation businesses
There are advantages to having your self-catering property treated as a trade business rather than a rental property.
Business rates
Find out if your business is subject to business rates.
Self-catering letting options
The legal definition of a holiday letting and the legal implications of long term let options.
Houses in multiple occupation
Your local authority may class your business as a House in Multiple Occupation, which has increased regulatory implications.
Utilities and waste collection
Legislation concerning private water supplies, charging guests for gas and electricity and commercial waste collection.
Gift Aid
To qualify for Gift Aid, a business must be a registered charity.
