Who is Responsible for Ensuring the Safety of Your Airbnb or Rental Property?

Short-term rentals like Airbnb and Vrbo have become increasingly popular options for travelers, but the safety of these accommodations often goes overlooked. While the aviation industry is heavily regulated to ensure passenger safety, the short-term rental industry operates in a “safety Wild West” with no clear oversight.

Justin Ford, the director of short-term rental safety and certification programs at Breezeway, compared the lack of safety standards in short-term rentals to airlines requiring passengers to bring their own oxygen tanks. He highlighted the absurdity of guests being advised to bring their own carbon monoxide alarms to rentals, pointing out the industry’s lack of accountability.

Incidents like Jack Epner’s experience with a potentially dangerous gas leak in a rental in Spain shed light on the potential risks guests face. While dramatic incidents are rare, slips, trips, and falls account for the majority of safety issues in short-term rentals. Ford emphasized the need for safety standards across the industry to prevent accidents caused by inadequate lighting, missing handrails, and other hazards.

Despite some local governments attempting to enforce safety regulations for short-term rentals, the lack of resources and inspection limitations hinder their efforts. Meanwhile, platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo offer safety guidelines for hosts but stop short of mandating inspections.

To stay safe in short-term rentals, guests are advised to look for properties with safety features like carbon monoxide alarms and fire extinguishers. Communicating with hosts about basic safety information, such as fire alarm batteries and pool fences, can help guests assess the level of safety in a rental. Ultimately, the responsibility for ensuring guest safety in short-term rentals remains unclear, prompting calls for insurance companies to demand changes that prioritize safety.