When A Bedroom Isn't: Safety and Building Codes in Short-term Rentals

My real-life current situation in a so-called 3-bedroom property - that isn't, and why safety is our first responsibility as hosts.

In today's travel landscape, short-term rentals are an awesome option; they offer a personalized experience, allowing us to step out of the conventional hotel box and embrace the local flavor of our destination. However, the rapid growth of this industry also brings with it concerns over safety and compliance with local regulations. This is a topic I feel strongly about as I am currently living a case study in the shortcomings of some short-term rentals.

As I write this, I am comfortably tucked into a short-term rental that is marketed online as a three-bedroom - required for our needs. But the reality is quite different, and it raises critical

safety issues worth discussing. The advertised "third bedroom" is nothing more than a set of bunks situated in an unfinished basement. The problem? There is no egress, no safe, direct path to the outside in case of an emergency.

I'm traveling with my two kids - kids who have hit the age of not wanting to share space. So short-term rentals offers us the ability to achieve the space we seek, and our selection gave everyone a bedroom. So I thought.

The word "bedroom," at least according to building codes, means more than just a place with a bed. For a room to be legally defined as a bedroom, it must have two means of egress. This typically includes one door (often leading to the rest of the house) and at least one window or door leading directly outside, ensuring an alternate escape route in the event of a fire or other emergency.

However, in my current accommodation, the basement—posing as a third bedroom—lacks this vital safety feature. It's easy to dismiss but the implications of this oversight could be life-threatening in worst-case scenarios. This experience brings me to a crucial question: how can we, as responsible Hosts, ensure safety in short-term rentals?

1. Research the Local Safety Standards and Building Codes - and Get Compliant.

As a Host - Owner or Manager, understand the local safety standards and building codes. The requirements for a legally defined bedroom can differ by region, but in general, look for information about egress, fire alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and other safety features. Some area's have this as a requirement to be a short-term rental - may even inspect it, others do not. But this does not excuse our responsibility as business owners to ensure we offer safe spaces.

2. Put Safety First.

Highlight safety in your listing/communications. Make sure to offer - and, as appropriate ensure they are working and clearly marked - fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, emergency exits, hand rails and the like. Address trip hazards, incorporate safety hints and tips in your house rules. Grills being moved too close to vinyl sided house? Don't assume your guest is thinking about this (better yet, run a gas line and make your grill immovable).

3. Get Help.

Breezeway helps solve many operational challenges in our short-term rental businesses; importantly, they offer help with addressing safety issues. If you complete their safety checklist, you even get a discount through Proper Insurance. Other options would be to make friends with the Building Inspector in your area; when I started as a short-term rental owner, I didn't even consider safety and I wasn't in an area when a code-inspection was required. I DID realize I had a couple issues that I should fix (mostly because I pictured my 80+ year old grandma walking through the house and fixed quite a few issues just based on that); but taking the step to really understand what it takes to mitigate risk could be as easy and making friends with your building inspector.

As a Consumer, How Could I have Avoided My Current Situation?

As a consumer, could I have avoided booking a place that has this safety issue of a non-legal - and non-safe bedroom? Yep! Here's why this happened, and what I should have done instead;

Our current accommodations were selected for a utilitarian stay - a college program for my 12 year old. We opted to stay in town and not drive an hour each way, each day. The requirements were 3 bedrooms, pool access, and a solid host. Budget was a strong consideration. The listing I selected was light on photos - so light, in fact, the 3rd bedroom - the critical issue as it turns out, is not pictured. But 60+ five-star reviews lulled me into booking because it fit all the requirements, but I DID note in my booking comments that more photos would have been welcome (The listing has 14 photos, which did not include photos of all 3 bedrooms nor any outside space).

Once I had the address after booking, I googled the address; it had been sold within the year and was billed as a (2) bedroom in the real estate listing - and had photos of the pool area and exterior. I was assuming they converted a walk in closet to a bedroom or similar and the real estate photos further put me at ease in seeing the exterior space and checking out the address.

I did read the most recent reviews left by guests within the last couple of weeks prior to our departure - which continued to be strong reviews.

I could have - should have, asked more directly for photos of the 3rd bedroom, asked for a floor plan, even pointed out to the Host that the information I had was that it was a 2 bedroom and asked for more information. But I didn't. I hoped for the best, and never even imagined a situation where a basement would be counted as a bedroom without adequate egress would be an issue.

So, What are We Doing?

So, we booked a 3 bedroom and got a 2 bedroom.

I'm gonna pause and interrupt this train of thought to reflect on being a solid Gen X'er who did long car trips in the back of a (LARGE) station wagon as a kid, no seat belts - not even in a seat!, and rode bikes all the time without helmets, and who disappeared into the neighborhood for hours at a time without anyone knowing where I was and whose parent's didn't think there was anything wrong with a belt for punishment. Are my kids going to be allowed to sleep in a non-egress basement even though the likelihood of an emergent situation resulting in an actual need for that second egress is miniscule?! HELL NO my kids aren't sleeping in that space.

So my youngest is sleeping in the king sized bed with me (and, in fact, has opted for the couch so I'll have to tip toe around making my AM coffee) and my older took over the second bedroom.

So, we are going to hang out in this space for the week - it is workable, even if not ideal. There are not other options with pool access (although we currently do not have access, but that is another story - and hopefully resolving) and I frankly do not want to relocate or think about needing to relocate. We have other priorities with our time this week, we'll deal.

As I often say to my kids - do your future self a favor. In this case - its ensure your properties are minimally to code. Make safety a priority. Although incidents are rare, don't be caught unprepared.

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*****

Hey Boss! I'm Kate, owner/founder of The CEO Host. If you are interested in taking a leap into short-term rentals - or have some questions about your existing business, my goal - passion, and career, is to help YOU succeed. I've coached hundreds of folks getting started or looking to optimize, analyzed more deals (and duds) than I could count, completed thousands of hours of education and training, attended conferences... So don't be shy. A good CEO knows to bring in expert help - and that's what I'm here for! Lets HOP ON A CALL and chat!

o, here's to safer, smarter travels for us all!

Categories: : self management, Set Up Your Rental