QLD: Q&A Onsite manager liability for Airbnb guest safety

Onsite manager liability for Airbnb guest safety is a growing concern in Queensland. With the rise of short-term rentals, the question of who is responsible for ensuring the safety of Airbnb guests has become increasingly complex. While there is no default obligation for owners to advise the onsite manager of who occupies a lot for external lettings, the onsite manager may still have certain responsibilities for guest safety. This article explores the legal implications of onsite manager liability in Queensland.

Question: What are the onsite manager liability for Airbnb guest safety? Are owners required to register Airbnb guests with the onsite caretaker?

As the onsite managers at our apartment building, what is our liability for Airbnb guest safety? Should the owner register guests with the onsite manager when units are let through an outside agent or Airbnb? We are concerned that if we do not know how many people occupy a unit and a fire breaks out, how would we know if all guests are accounted for?

Answer: There is no default obligation for owners to advise the onsite manager of who occupies a lot for external lettings.

There is no default obligation for owners to advise the onsite manager of who occupies a lot for external lettings. Such an obligation could exist through a by-law, but this is not necessarily a requirement unless there were some specific form of fire safety obligation imposed.

Similarly, the onsite manager is not necessarily responsible to ensure that all occupiers are accounted for during a fire. The obligations of the onsite manager and body corporate will depend on the specific circumstances of the scheme – including any fire evacuation plans and procedures.

Todd Garsden
Mahoneys
E: [email protected]
P: 07 3007 3753

This post appears in Strata News #710.

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