Keeping a guest register in your tourist accommodation business
Why you must keep a guest register if you run a hotel, bed and breakfast, hostel or any other accommodation business, and what you need to record in it.
If you run a serviced or self-catering accommodation business, you must keep a record of all guests over the age of 16. This can take the form of a registration form, or can be recorded electronically.
You must keep each guest's details for at least 12 months and have the register available for inspection by police or other authorised persons at all time.
What do I need to record?
On guests' arrival, you need to record:
- the guests' full name and address
- the guests' nationality
- arrival and departure dates
If your guests are using your car parking facilities, you may also want to take record of the registration number of their car. However, you aren't legally required to do so.
Data protection
When keeping a guest register, even if it's just names and contact details, you must protect your guests' privacy under the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR).