Many families are opting for vacation rentals over hotels because everyone can have their own room, and they can feel more relaxed and comfortable than if they were sharing the pool and other amenities with strangers. Companies like Airbnb and VRBO are especially popular, but there are plenty of other options for renting a home, either for vacation or an extended business trip.
Staying in a home (or even a condo at the beach or in the center of a bustling downtown area) can involve risks. When you don’t know where everything is or how it works, accidents can happen. There’s also typically more room to have accidents on floors, stairways and in outdoor areas.
So when is the property owner (typically known as the “host”) responsible if a guest suffers an injury on their property? It depends on the circumstances. Let’s take a brief look at some common scenarios.
Dangerous conditions on the property
Say the railing on the steps leading up to home is loose or there’s a broken section on the ladder leading up to the top bunk of the bunk beds. The host is typically responsible for any injury caused by a potentially dangerous condition that was there when the guests arrived.
The good news for guests is that hosts that rent their homes through the major vacation rental companies are insured for injuries and damages suffered by guests that aren’t their fault.
When is a guest determined to be at fault?
If someone suffers an injury because they were being reckless or negligent, the host isn’t typically liable. For example, if someone falls down the stairs or burns themselves on the outdoor barbecue because they were drunk or high, they likely can’t hold the host liable. Further, if a guest damages the property, they’ll be responsible for compensating the host.
Of course, there are situations that can involve both a potentially dangerous property condition and a careless guest. These can be more complicated to sort out.
It’s always important to determine what kind of insurance a property owner has and/or the company offers before reserving a vacation rental. If you or a loved one has already suffered an injury and you’re having difficulty getting the compensation you believe is warranted, having experienced legal guidance can help.