Fire Safety Declaration for CWTON - Free Template and Instructions

Fire Safety Declaration for CWTON - Free Template and Step-by-Step Guide

CWTON (Central Register of Tourist Accommodation) registration requires submitting a fire safety compliance declaration. Sounds intimidating? In practice, it's one of the simpler documents - as long as you know what to include and your apartment actually meets the requirements. In this article, you'll find detailed instructions for completing the fire safety declaration, a list of the most common mistakes, and information about what equipment you need before signing it. At the end, I'll point you to where to find a ready-made template and how to avoid a fine of up to 10,000 PLN for submitting a false declaration.

Key takeaways

• The fire safety declaration is mandatory - without it, you won't complete your CWTON (Central Register of Tourist Accommodation) registration or receive a registration number
• You sign it under penalty of criminal liability - a false declaration carries a fine of up to 10,000 PLN
• You must have at minimum: smoke detectors, a fire extinguisher, and an evacuation plan - if you have gas appliances, a carbon monoxide detector is also required
• You don't need a firefighter inspection - you submit the declaration yourself, but you must tell the truth
• Fire safety equipment costs 200-500 PLN - a one-time investment that protects you legally and saves your guests' lives

What is the fire safety declaration and why does CWTON require it?

The fire safety declaration (oswiadczenie ppoz.) is a document in which you, as a host, declare that your accommodation property meets basic fire safety requirements. It's not a fire brigade inspection report or a technical assessment - it's your own declaration, submitted under penalty of criminal liability.

Why does CWTON require it? EU Regulation 2024/1028 requires member states to ensure that short-term rental properties meet minimum safety standards. Poland's implementation of this regulation - the CWTON system - requires hosts to confirm they have taken care of fire protection. This makes sense: guests don't know the layout of your apartment, they don't know where the emergency exits are, and they have no idea whether there's a fire extinguisher in the kitchen.

The CWTON registration system doesn't physically check whether you have a smoke detector in every room. But be aware - an inspection may come later. If it turns out you submitted a false declaration, you face serious consequences. More on that in a moment.

If you don't yet know what the entire registration process looks like, start with our guide: How to Register with CWTON - Step-by-Step Guide.

What exactly must the fire safety declaration contain?

The fire safety declaration submitted as part of CWTON registration must confirm that your property meets several specific requirements. It's not enough to write "the property is safe" - you must address specific equipment and procedures.

1. Smoke detectors

You must confirm that functioning smoke detectors are installed in the property. The minimum configuration is a detector in every sleeping room (bedroom) and along the evacuation route (hallway, entrance hall). In practice, it's worth installing a detector in the living room as well.

Detectors must be functional and have valid batteries. The best solution for short-term rentals is detectors with a built-in 10-year battery - you don't have to worry about the battery dying between guest stays.

2. Fire extinguisher

The declaration requires confirmation that the property has a fire extinguisher of appropriate capacity. For a standard apartment (up to 100 m2), one 2 kg ABC powder fire extinguisher is sufficient. The fire extinguisher must have a current technical inspection - the date of the next inspection is on the sticker.

Read more about fire extinguisher requirements and placement in the article Fire Safety Requirements for Short-Term Rentals.

3. Evacuation plan

You must declare that the property has an evacuation plan available to guests. An evacuation plan is a simple graphic showing the apartment layout, evacuation routes, the location of the fire extinguisher and smoke detectors, and the emergency number 112. It doesn't need to be a professional architectural drawing - a clear diagram displayed in a visible location (ideally on the inside of the front door) is sufficient.

4. Carbon monoxide (CO) detector

If your property or building has fuel-burning appliances (gas furnace, gas stove, fireplace, gas water heater), you must have a carbon monoxide detector. This is not optional - it is a requirement under fire protection regulations.

In apartment buildings with central heating and an electric stove, a CO detector is not formally required, but many experts recommend installing one as an additional safety measure.

5. Marked evacuation routes

In the declaration, you confirm that evacuation routes are marked and unobstructed. In practice, this means the hallway leading to the front door is free from obstacles, and the front door can be opened from the inside without a key (or the key is in a visible, marked location).

How to complete the fire safety declaration step by step

Completing the declaration isn't complicated, but it requires attention. Here's the detailed procedure:

Step 1: Check the actual condition

Before filling in anything, walk through your apartment with a checklist. Verify:

• Whether smoke detectors work - press the test button on each detector
• Whether the fire extinguisher has a current inspection - check the date on the sticker
• Whether the evacuation plan is displayed and legible
• Whether the CO detector works (if applicable to your property)
• Whether the evacuation route is free from obstacles

If anything is missing - first get the equipment, then fill in the declaration. The order matters.

Step 2: Download the declaration template

The fire safety declaration template should be available on the CWTON platform as part of the registration form. If you prefer a ready-made document with pre-filled fields, the HostReady Package includes a ready-made declaration template tailored to CWTON requirements.

Step 3: Fill in identification details

At the beginning of the declaration, enter:

• Your full name (or business name if you rent as a registered business)
• PESEL or NIP (personal identification number or tax identification number)
• Property address - the exact address of the apartment, including the unit number
• Date of completion

Step 4: Mark the requirements you meet

The declaration contains a list of requirements where you indicate that your property meets them. The typical structure consists of checkboxes or statements like "I confirm that the property has...":

1. Functioning smoke detectors in sleeping rooms and along evacuation routes
2. A fire extinguisher with a current technical inspection
3. An evacuation plan available to guests
4. A carbon monoxide detector (if there are gas appliances in the property)
5. Marked and clear evacuation routes
6. Emergency number 112 information available to guests

Step 5: Sign the declaration

You sign the declaration electronically (using a profil zaufany, or trusted profile) as part of the CWTON registration process, or - in some cases - by hand if you submit it in paper form. Remember: your signature means you take full responsibility for the accuracy of the information.

Most common mistakes when completing the fire safety declaration

Based on the experiences of hosts who have already gone through the registration process, we've compiled the most common mistakes. Avoid them, because they can cost you not only time but also money.

Mistake 1: Signing the declaration without checking the actual condition

This is the most serious and most common mistake. A host clicks "confirm" on all points without checking whether the smoke detector in the bedroom even has a battery. Then an inspection comes, the detector doesn't work, and the host has a problem - because they submitted a false declaration.

Solution: Before completing the declaration, physically walk through the apartment and test every piece of fire safety equipment.

Mistake 2: Expired fire extinguisher inspection

You have a fire extinguisher? Great. But when was it last inspected? A fire extinguisher requires inspection at least once a year. An expired inspection means your declaration about having a functional fire extinguisher is technically untrue.

Solution: Check the date on the sticker. If the inspection is overdue, arrange one before registration. The cost is 20-40 PLN.

Mistake 3: Omitting the CO detector in an apartment with gas

Many hosts forget about the carbon monoxide detector because "I already have a smoke detector, that's enough." It's not enough. A smoke detector does not detect carbon monoxide. If the apartment has a gas furnace or gas stove, a CO detector is mandatory.

Solution: Check what heating source and stove type you have in your apartment. If anything burns gas - buy a CO detector.

Mistake 4: Evacuation plan hidden in a drawer

Simply having an evacuation plan isn't enough. The plan must be displayed in a visible location. A guest who arrives at the apartment at 11:00 PM after a long journey won't be searching for it in a nightstand drawer.

Solution: Display the plan on the inside of the front door or in the hallway at eye level.

Mistake 5: Incorrect property address

Entering the building address without the unit number or getting the apartment number wrong is a formal error that can delay registration. The CWTON system requires the exact address including the unit number.

Solution: Check the address in the deed of ownership or lease agreement and copy it exactly.

Consequences of submitting a false declaration

This is not an empty threat. Submitting a false declaration in the CWTON registration process carries real legal consequences.

Financial penalty of up to 10,000 PLN

For submitting a declaration that doesn't match the actual condition, you face an administrative penalty of up to 10,000 PLN. This is a separate penalty from the one for not registering with CWTON (up to 50,000 PLN). Theoretically, you could receive both at once - no registration plus a false declaration.

Removal from the register

If an inspection reveals that your declaration was untrue, the authority maintaining the register may remove your property from CWTON. This means losing your registration number, and therefore the obligation to remove your listing from booking platforms - at least until re-registration.

Criminal liability

In extreme cases - particularly if a false declaration contributed to endangering the life or health of guests - you may face criminal liability under Art. 233 of the Kodeks karny (Criminal Code) for making false statements. This is no longer an administrative penalty but a potential court sentence.

In summary: it's not worth the risk. Fire safety equipment costs a few hundred zlotys. Penalties can reach tens of thousands.

Fire safety equipment - what to buy, where, and for how much?

Before you complete the declaration, you need to have the right equipment. Here's the shopping list with approximate prices:

Smoke detectors

• Photoelectric detector with 10-year battery - 40-80 PLN each
• You need at least 2-3 units (bedrooms + hallway)
• Where to buy: Castorama, Leroy Merlin, OBI, Allegro, Amazon
• Total cost: 80-240 PLN

ABC powder fire extinguisher 2 kg

• Price: 50-90 PLN
• Annual inspection: 20-40 PLN
• Where to buy: hardware stores, fire safety shops, Allegro
• Wall bracket: often included with the extinguisher, separately 10-20 PLN

Carbon monoxide (CO) detector

• Price: 50-120 PLN
• Required only if you have gas appliances
• Where to buy: same places as smoke detectors

Evacuation plan

• DIY: 0 PLN (you can draw it yourself or use a free graphic tool)
• Ready-made template to fill in: available in the HostReady Package
• Professional plan from a designer: 100-300 PLN
• Frame for the plan: 10-30 PLN

Cost summary

Minimum fire safety equipment for a standard apartment (without gas) costs around 200-400 PLN. With a CO detector and professional evacuation plan - up to 500-600 PLN. This is a one-time investment (aside from the annual fire extinguisher inspection at 20-40 PLN) that protects you legally and - more importantly - can save your guests' lives.

How does the fire safety declaration connect to CWTON registration?

The fire safety declaration is one element of the CWTON registration process. It's not a separate document you send by post - it's an integral part of the registration form.

The process looks like this:

1. You log in to the CWTON platform using a profil zaufany (trusted profile)
2. You fill in property details - address, type, number of rooms, capacity
3. You submit declarations - including the fire safety declaration
4. You send the application
5. You receive a registration number

Without submitting the fire safety declaration, you can't send the application - the system won't let you proceed. This is not an optional field.

You'll find the full list of documents needed for registration in the article Short-Term Rental Document Checklist.

Preparing for a potential inspection

Submitting the declaration isn't the end of the story. An inspection can come at any time - from the fire brigade, sanitary inspection, or the authority maintaining the CWTON register. How should you prepare?

Photographic documentation

Take photos of the installed fire safety equipment with a visible date. Photograph:

• Each installed smoke detector
• The fire extinguisher with the visible inspection sticker
• The displayed evacuation plan
• The CO detector (if applicable)
• Clear evacuation routes

These photos may come in handy not only during an inspection but also in case of insurance claims.

Document archive

Keep copies of:

• The submitted fire safety declaration
• Fire extinguisher inspection reports
• Receipts for fire safety equipment purchases
• Detector certificates (if available)

Regular updates

Check the condition of fire safety equipment during each cleaning between guests or at least once a month. Especially test smoke detectors - just press the test button. If a detector doesn't respond, replace the battery or the entire detector.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the fire safety declaration mandatory for CWTON registration?

Yes, the fire safety declaration (oswiadczenie ppoz.) is a mandatory element of the CWTON registration process. Without submitting it, you won't receive a registration number. The system won't let you send your application without confirming that your property meets fire safety requirements.

Who can sign the fire safety declaration?

The declaration is signed by the property owner or a person with the right to manage it (e.g., a tenant with subletting rights). If you register as a business, the declaration is signed by the authorized representative - the sole proprietor, the company's board president, or a pelnomocnik (authorized agent). You don't need a firefighter's or fire safety expert's signature.

Do I need a firefighter inspection?

No. CWTON registration does not require a fire brigade inspection. You submit the declaration on your own responsibility. However, the fire brigade may conduct an inspection at any time after registration - and will then check whether the declaration matches the actual condition. That's why it's not worth lying on the declaration.

What if my apartment is in an apartment building - do I still need a fire extinguisher?

Yes. Even if the building's stairwell has fire extinguishers and hydrants, your short-term rental apartment should have its own fire extinguisher. In case of danger, a guest won't run around the stairwell looking for a fire extinguisher on another floor. A 2 kg ABC powder fire extinguisher costs 50-90 PLN - that's really a small expense compared to the potential consequences.

How often does the declaration need to be updated?

You submit the declaration once - at the time of registration. You don't need to renew it every year. However, if the fire safety equipment status changes (e.g., you remove a gas furnace and therefore a CO detector is no longer needed, or conversely - you install a gas stove), you should update your information in CWTON. Also remember that fire safety equipment requires ongoing maintenance: fire extinguisher inspection annually, detector testing monthly, detector replacement every 10 years.

Summary

The fire safety declaration is a mandatory element of CWTON registration - without it, you won't receive a registration number and won't be able to legally rent your property after May 20, 2026. The good news: completing it is straightforward, and the cost of fire safety equipment is a one-time 200-500 PLN. Key principles: first buy and install equipment, then submit the declaration. Don't sign anything that doesn't match the actual condition. Take photos. Archive documents. And remember about annual fire extinguisher inspections.

Don't want to search for templates and regulations on your own? The HostReady Package includes a ready-made fire safety declaration template, evacuation plan template, and a complete fire safety equipment checklist - ready to fill in and submit to CWTON right after purchase.