Short-term rentals have rapidly grown in popularity across British Columbia. Platforms like Airbnb, Vrbo, and other vacation rental services offer tourists unique homes, condos, and cabins for vacations, weekend getaways, and work trips. Many travellers prefer short-term rentals because they often offer more space, privacy, and flexibility than traditional hotels.
While short-term rentals offer many conveniences, they also carry safety risks that guests should not overlook. Unlike hotels, most short-term rental properties are not required to undergo regular safety inspections or maintain hotel-grade standards. Common injuries in these settings include slips and falls, trips on uneven stairs, burns, electrical shocks, and accidents related to faulty furniture or appliances. Understanding your rights, recognising potential hazards, and knowing what steps to take if an injury occurs can help protect you while staying in a short-term rental.
How Liability Works for Injuries in Short-Term Rentals
Hosts have a legal responsibility to ensure their property is reasonably safe. Liability is generally determined by assessing the host’s duty of care, whether harm was foreseeable, and whether the host was negligent.
Duty of Care and Foreseeable Harm
Under the Occupiers Liability Act, short-term rental hosts owe their guests a duty of care; hosts must take reasonable steps to maintain a safe property and prevent injuries that could be logically anticipated. This duty is particularly relevant to guests because injuries caused by hazards a host could foresee are more likely to support a legal claim.
Some examples of foreseeable harm include:
- Falling from a balcony or deck with loose or rotting railings.
- Burns from a malfunctioning oven, stovetop, or hot water system.
- Electric shocks from frayed wiring or exposed outlets.
- Tripping on uneven or broken flooring inside the rental.
If a hazard could have been discovered through routine inspections or maintenance, the resulting injury is generally considered foreseeable, and the host may be found legally responsible. For injured guests, documenting these hazards through photos, videos, or witness statements helps demonstrate that the injury was predictable and preventable.
Varying Regulations
Short-term rentals in BC historically have not been subject to the same building inspections, licensing, or safety standards as hotels.
Beginning in 2025, new provincial rules require all short-term rental hosts to register their properties. Hosts must display their provincial registration number and, where applicable, local business licence numbers on listings. Unregistered properties will be removed from platforms, and bookings may be cancelled.
For injured guests, a host’s failure to comply with these registration rules can be a factor in establishing liability, particularly when combined with unsafe conditions.
Negligence and Fault
A host may be negligent if they fail to meet their duty of care. Guests may have a claim if the injury resulted from hazards the host knew about, or should have known about, but did not repair, plan to remedy, or warn against.
BC law also recognises comparative fault, meaning that a guest’s own actions (or inactions) may reduce compensation if they contributed to the injury. For example, ignoring posted safety warnings or engaging in risky behaviour could affect the outcome of a claim.
Even with new registration requirements, liability for negligence does not disappear. A host who fails to maintain a safe environment, ignores hazards, or neglects legal obligations can still be held responsible for injuries.
What Short-Term Renters Should Know (and Do If Injured)
Short-term rentals can provide a comfortable and flexible travel experience, but they also carry unique safety risks. Guests should take steps before, during, and after their stay to protect themselves and their rights in the event of an injury. Being proactive, aware, and prepared can make a significant difference if an accident occurs.
Before booking a short-term rental, guests should ensure the property is compliant with BC regulations and take basic precautions. Verify that the listing displays a valid BC registration number, which is required for all rentals. Reading recent guest reviews can help identify safety concerns or recurring hazards that may not be immediately visible in photos or descriptions. Unregistered or unverified listings may be removed from booking platforms, so it is especially important to avoid rentals that do not meet provincial requirements. Guests will not be fined for staying in a non-compliant rental; responsibility for compliance lies with the host and the platform.
During your stay, remain attentive to potential hazards and report issues promptly. Be alert for loose railings, uneven stairs, exposed wiring, or other conditions that could cause injury. If you notice a hazard, inform the host immediately and document your communication. Keeping a record of any warnings or responses from the host can be important if a claim arises later.
If an injury occurs, taking prompt action is critical. Seek medical attention as soon as possible and retain all treatment records. Document the unsafe condition with photographs or video to support a potential claim. Keep receipts for medical expenses, lost wages, or other related costs. Consulting a lawyer experienced in premises liability is strongly recommended, particularly if the injury was serious or if negligence on the part of the host may have contributed to the incident.
Getting Legal Help for Short-Term Rental Injuries
If you have been injured in a short-term rental due to unsafe conditions or a host’s negligence, consulting an experienced premises liability lawyer can make a significant difference. The team at Stephens & Holman can assist clients across BC as well as Canadians from out of town and international visitors in pursuing fair compensation for injuries caused by dangerous premises. We will review the circumstances of your case, guide you through the legal process, and advocate on your behalf to help you recover medical expenses, lost income, and other damages.