Short-term rentals have surged across St. Louis, from downtown lofts near Busch Stadium to spacious suburban homes booked for weekend parties. While these rentals are convenient and profitable, they also create a complex web of legal liability when someone is injured. When an injury occurs at an Airbnb, Vrbo, or another short-term rental, the question becomes: who is liable—the host, the property owner, or the platform?
Short-Term Housing Rental. Magnifying glass with text on a white background.
Here, our personal injury attorney at the Gogel Law Firm explains how Missouri law addresses liability for injuries in short-term rental properties and what steps injured guests can take to protect their rights.
When an Airbnb or Vrbo Stay Turns Dangerous
Short-term rentals may not have the same safety oversight as hotels or licensed lodging facilities.
Common causes of injuries include:
- Broken stairs, loose railings, or missing handrails.
- Poorly maintained decks or balconies.
- Faulty smoke detectors or carbon monoxide leaks.
- Slippery floors or uneven walkways.
- Overcrowded “party house” gatherings leading to assaults or structural collapses.
If an unsafe condition causes an injury, Missouri premises liability law allows victims to hold the responsible party accountable, but determining who that is can be complicated.
When the Host or Property Owner May Be Liable
Under Missouri law, a property owner or person in control of the property (such as a host) must maintain safe conditions for lawful guests. If they knew or should have known about a hazard and failed to fix it or warn others, they can be held responsible for resulting injuries.
For example:
- A host ignores repeated complaints about loose deck boards, and a guest later falls through.
- A property owner fails to install smoke alarms before renting, leading to burn injuries during a fire.
In both cases, the host or owner could face full liability for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Can Airbnb or VRBO Be Held Responsible?
Most rental platforms, including Airbnb and Vrbo, seek to avoid direct liability by classifying themselves as intermediaries rather than property managers. However, their responsibility can come into play in certain situations.
Examples include:
- When the platform’s own negligence contributes to the harm, such as promoting unsafe listings despite prior safety complaints.
- When their “Host Guarantee” or “AirCover” policy provides partial compensation but fails to cover the full extent of the guest’s losses.
While Airbnb’s $1 million “Host Liability Insurance” sounds generous, it often comes with exclusions, leaving victims with unpaid bills unless they pursue a personal injury claim directly against the host or owner.
The Rise of “Party House” Injuries in Missouri
Large gatherings in residential neighborhoods have led to numerous high-profile incidents in Missouri and across the country. Some involve structural collapses, balcony falls, or violent altercations.
When a host allows these types of parties or looks the other way, they may be found negligent for knowingly creating unsafe conditions.
In these cases, injured guests or bystanders may have valid claims against:
- The host who organized or permitted the event.
- The property owner who ignored unsafe occupancy or code violations.
- In rare cases, the platform itself, if it failed to remove a known problem listing.
Talk to a St. Louis Premises Liability Attorney Today
At Gogel Law Firm, we help injury victims throughout Missouri recover damages when negligent property owners and rental operators fail to protect guests. Whether your injuries happened at a short-term rental, hotel, or private home, we can help you understand your rights and take action.
Short-term rentals have surged across St. Louis, from downtown lofts near Busch Stadium to spacious suburban homes booked for weekend parties. While these rentals are convenient and profitable, they also create a complex web of legal liability when someone is injured. When an injury occurs at an Airbnb, Vrbo, or another short-term rental, the question becomes: who is liable—the host, the property owner, or the platform?
Here, our personal injury attorney at the Gogel Law Firm explains how Missouri law addresses liability for injuries in short-term rental properties and what steps injured guests can take to protect their rights.
When an Airbnb or Vrbo Stay Turns Dangerous
Short-term rentals may not have the same safety oversight as hotels or licensed lodging facilities.
Common causes of injuries include:
- Broken stairs, loose railings, or missing handrails.
- Poorly maintained decks or balconies.
- Faulty smoke detectors or carbon monoxide leaks.
- Slippery floors or uneven walkways.
- Overcrowded “party house” gatherings leading to assaults or structural collapses.
If an unsafe condition causes an injury, Missouri premises liability law allows victims to hold the responsible party accountable, but determining who that is can be complicated.
When the Host or Property Owner May Be Liable
Under Missouri law, a property owner or person in control of the property (such as a host) must maintain safe conditions for lawful guests. If they knew or should have known about a hazard and failed to fix it or warn others, they can be held responsible for resulting injuries.
For example:
- A host ignores repeated complaints about loose deck boards, and a guest later falls through.
- A property owner fails to install smoke alarms before renting, leading to burn injuries during a fire.
In both cases, the host or owner could face full liability for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Can Airbnb or VRBO Be Held Responsible?
Most rental platforms, including Airbnb and Vrbo, seek to avoid direct liability by classifying themselves as intermediaries rather than property managers. However, their responsibility can come into play in certain situations.
Examples include:
- When the platform’s own negligence contributes to the harm, such as promoting unsafe listings despite prior safety complaints.
- When their “Host Guarantee” or “AirCover” policy provides partial compensation but fails to cover the full extent of the guest’s losses.
While Airbnb’s $1 million “Host Liability Insurance” sounds generous, it often comes with exclusions, leaving victims with unpaid bills unless they pursue a personal injury claim directly against the host or owner.
The Rise of “Party House” Injuries in Missouri
Large gatherings in residential neighborhoods have led to numerous high-profile incidents in Missouri and across the country. Some involve structural collapses, balcony falls, or violent altercations.
When a host allows these types of parties or looks the other way, they may be found negligent for knowingly creating unsafe conditions.
In these cases, injured guests or bystanders may have valid claims against:
- The host who organized or permitted the event.
- The property owner who ignored unsafe occupancy or code violations.
- In rare cases, the platform itself may fail to remove a known problem listing.
Talk to a St. Louis Premises Liability Attorney Today
At Gogel Law Firm, we help injury victims throughout Missouri recover damages when negligent property owners and rental operators fail to protect guests. Whether your injuries happened at a short-term rental, hotel, or private home, we can help you understand your rights and take action.
Contact us at (314) 370-8173 or online today for a free consultation to discuss your case and learn what options you have to pursue fair compensation.
