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 Boutique home rentals have to be effortless. The three main components that guests expect from luxury villas are beauty, privacy, and comfort. However the most important and least visible component is duty of care.

Duty of care is what property owners and operators must provide to their guests to keep them reasonably safe during their stay. In luxury rentals, this can be more complicated than with traditional accommodations because the experience is curated and the risks are higher.

By understanding how duty of care applies to luxury rentals, you can identify and clarify who is responsible to deliver what, and what happens if something goes wrong.

How Duty of Care Applies To Boutique Properties

In boutique properties, duty of care is anticipating risk and addressing it before guests arrive. As a property owner or manager, you are not expected to eliminate every possible danger, but to take reasonable and proactive steps.

Higher care standards are expected because luxury rentals typically offer higher-end amenities, uniquely designed spaces, and higher-end finishes than a traditional resort.

The Role of Clear Safety Information at Check-In

Duty of care begins when a guest arrives at your rental property. You should include more in the check-in instructions than just access instructions. You should also define for your guests the emergency contact numbers they need and your property’s safety rules. Also include instructions on how to use unfamiliar features of your property.

This is particularly important for properties that contain pools, have outside areas, or contain advanced technology.

Whether the safety information is presented to your guests in digital or printed format, ensure that it is easily accessible and simple to understand.

The Importance of Maintenance Records

Regularly maintaining a property is an important component of compliance with your duty to provide for the safety of your guests. An adequately maintained property will assist in establishing that your guests are safe while at your property.

Bearing proper maintenance record documentation can assist in proving to the authorities that you were adequately maintaining the property and acted appropriately when you became aware of an injury to your guest and any hazardous conditions that are present.

Boutique rentals require additional attention when it comes to ongoing maintenance due to the fact that the design elements may be non-standard, custom-designed or architecturally unique.

Amenities Can Create Unexpected Risks

Luxury amenities can enhance the guest experience. However, they also create additional risk. If your rental property contains a pool or hot tub, fire pit, fitness facilities, or terraces, you need to properly maintain them and provide proper instructions on how to safely use them. You should provide safety features and warning signs when applicable.  

If an amenity appears to be safe to use, but is not, then you cannot demonstrate that you met your duty of care.

Balancing Security and Guest Privacy

Privacy and safety are both essential components of a well-run high level accommodation. They provide safety for both the guests and owners. If you have smart cameras or other surveillance devices installed in your rental, you must let potential renters know that these systems will be used, and how they might affect their rights.

If you do not inform renters, they may be able to file a suit against you, and potentially place you in a position where you cannot continue to rent your property.

By informing visitors of your use of smart cameras or other surveillance systems, you are protecting yourself and providing the visitor with information that will improve upon their rental experience.

Insurance Considerations for Hosts and Guests

Renters can purchase insurance to protect themselves from injuries or damage that may occur within a rental unit due to the actions of the property owner or manager. Property owners and managers may also carry insurance to cover injuries or damage to the property that may occur through normal usage of the property.

As boutique rentals tend to have higher value than traditional rental properties, they will require a higher amount of coverage than what would typically be required on a rental property.

What Steps Guests Can Take Following an Injury

If there is an injury at the workplace, keeping records of the event will help.  Document the occurrence with photographs, written reports, and medical records. If a guest becomes injured while on rented property because of unsafe conditions or poor maintenance, they should explore their legal options. General personal injury resources such as https://westcoasttriallawyers.com/ will provide a breakdown on common steps taken following an on-property injury. They can help a renter get the compensation they deserve.

Who Is Responsible for What? – Owners, Managers and Guests

The duty of care is a common, shared responsibility that is rarely held by a single individual. In the case of rental properties, owners are typically responsible for the overall condition of their property, while property management companies will have additional safety communication and daily operational responsibilities. As per rental guidelines, guests are also expected to act responsibly and according to any posted guidelines. Responsibility is usually determined based on three primary questions:

•   Who had control of the property at the time of the incident?
• Who was aware of risks associated with the property?
•   Were reasonable steps taken to prevent harm?

Why Duty of Care Should Be Considered

Although the duty of care has liability attached to it, it should also be viewed as a demonstration of the host’s commitment to providing their guests with a safe and enjoyable experience.

The duty of care, when taken seriously by hosts, results in protecting their financial investment and reputation. Each guest should feel confident that their rental experience will provide them with a luxury experience without adding any unnecessary risks.

Feature Image by Dominik Pajor

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