Our friends at The Gordon Law Firm discuss how short-term rentals like Airbnb, VRBO, and similar platforms have transformed the way people travel, offering the comfort of a “home away from home.” But behind the attractive photos, 5 Star reviews, and beautiful views, lie many hidden dangers: weak railings, slippery floors, unsafe balconies, faulty electrical systems, a lack of carbon monoxide/smoke detectors or poorly maintained pools. When a guest is injured on a rental property, an important legal question arises: Who’s at fault and can anything be done? A personal injury lawyer can help evaluate liability and guide injured guests through their legal options.
Regardless of where you are vacationing, the basic principle is the same: property owners and those who control the premises have a duty to keep the property reasonably safe for guests. This is often referred to as “premises liability.” The idea is that the people who own and are in charge of the property owe visitors a basic standard of care. If the owners and/or those that control the property, know, or reasonably should know, about a dangerous condition and they fail to fix it or provide adequate warning, they may be held legally responsible when someone is injured as a result.
In a short-term rental, several parties may be involved. The homeowner or local host may be directly responsible for injuries that occur on the property and due to their neglect and/or disregard. Common injuries in vacation and short-term rentals include:
- Falls from stairs, decks, balconies, or ladders;
- Slip-and-fall incidents on wet, uneven, or poorly maintained surfaces;
- Pool or water-related accidents, including drowning, near-drowning, or head and spinal injuries from unsafe dives;
- Cuts or lacerations from broken glass, exposed nails, or unsafe furniture;
- Fire, smoke, or carbon-monoxide injuries caused by faulty appliances or lack of safety devices; and
- Crime-related injuries if the property is in a known high-risk area and security measures (such as locks, lighting, alarms, or barriers) are inadequate.
These incidents often occur because the property is not maintained as it should be and owners or hosts may not treat it as a true “business” with professional safety standards.
If you are injured as a guest at an Airbnb, VRBO, or similar rental, there are several sensible steps to consider. First and most importantly, seek medical attention as soon as possible and keep detailed records of your diagnosis, treatment, and any related expenses. Second, document the scene if it is safe to do so: take photographs, write down your observations, and, if possible, gather contact information from witnesses. Keep your booking confirmation, messages with the host, and any terms or photos the platform provided. If emergency services or law enforcement respond, obtain a copy of any report.
Before giving detailed statements to the host, property manager, or the booking platform, it is wise to understand how those statements might be used later. Some platforms may try to shift responsibility entirely to the host, or vice versa, while insurance adjusters may use your initial comments to question the seriousness of your injuries or how the accident really happened. In situations involving serious harm, speaking with a lawyer who handles personal injury or premises liability claims can help you understand your rights and the evidence you may need to preserve and the things you need to do in order to protect yourself.
Short-term rentals offer convenience and unique experiences, but they are not inherently safer than other lodging options. If you, a family member or a friend is seriously injured during a stay, it is important to know that you may have legal options. You may not have to bear the full cost of someone else’s negligence alone, and a careful review of the facts can reveal which parties may be held accountable.
This basic framework of holding property owners and hosts responsible for maintaining safe conditions and warning guests of foreseeable hazards applies to short-term rental injuries no matter what country you are staying in and whether you are a citizen of that country. While the specific rules and procedures may vary by jurisdiction, the core idea that guests deserve a reasonably safe place to stay is a standard found throughout the world.