People who want to earn extra cash by opening their homes to TT fans are being urged to register with the official government scheme.

The Department for Enterprise’s ’homestay’ scheme operates for both the TT and Festival of Motorcycling.

During the TT period ’homestay hosts’ can earn up to £1,800 tax-free income.

However, households that fail to register for the scheme will not have access to the tax-free limit.

Manx firm MiQuando operates the ’homestay’ schemes on behalf of the department and is responsible for carrying out property inspections, providing advice on the scheme’s fire safety requirements, marketing, online booking for visitors, and assisting hosts with managing their online ’homestayh listing.

Any household looking to offer ’homestay’ this year must be registered.

The process includes quality, fire and hygiene checks to ensure the property is safe and welcoming for visitors.

Senior fire safety officer Carl Kinvig said: ’A room can become fully involved in a fire in as little as four minutes and two to three breaths of smoke can render someone unconscious.

’Therefore not adhering to fire safety standards can have very serious consequences for both the owner and their guests.

’Also, depending on the number of guests you have or their location within your property, you may require a fire certificate to operate.

’Failure to do so could result in a potential prosecution which could leave you facing a fine or even imprisonment. Not registering is simply a risk not worth taking.’

The registration process also includes access to the department’s public liability insurance.

The government’s head of tourism, Angela Byrne, said: ’If you are not registered on the scheme you don’t have access to the department’s public liability insurance.

’This means that if a visitor is injured while staying in your property and they decide that you were somehow negligent, they have the option to bring an action against you.

’ If you are registered with the scheme, the department’s public liability insurance policy will respond and deal with the claim.’

Anybody currently offering Homestay who has not yet registered with MiQuando should get in touch with the team in the first instance for a safety and quality review. You can do this by emailing [email protected] or telephoning 640393.

Registration costs from £50 a year.