VRBO – or Vacation Rentals by Owner – is a popular site for property owners in Las Vegas looking to list their homes for short-term rentals, as well as for travelers visiting the area to find stays.
VRBO has grown in popularity in the Las Vegas tourism market in recent years. Yet, with VRBO comes potential legal issues for both owners and guests.
If an accident occurs during a VRBO stay, dealing with liability or legal responsibility can be complicated. An experienced Las Vegas VRBO liability attorney can help you understand your rights and legal options, whether you are a property owner or an injured traveler.
The attorneys at Edward Bernstein & Associates can help you with every step of your VRBO injury claim.
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Understanding VRBO Liability in Las Vegas
Las Vegas is an extremely popular tourist destination with a major vacation rental market. Hosts and guests, however, need to understand the local laws and ordinances that affect short-term rentals, such as those listed on VRBO.
Legal Framework Governing Vacation Rentals
Nevada and Clark County have specific regulations in place for vacation rentals. Clark County’s laws on vacation rental units, for example, have operational restrictions, occupancy limits and required licenses for hosts. Nevada short-term rental laws also have certain requirements related to guest health and safety.
If a property listed on VRBO is within a Homeowner Association (HOA), the HOA must explicitly allow short-term rentals before the host can receive the required license. If the host goes against HOA regulations, this can make the host personally liable for injuries or property damage. Otherwise, the general liability insurance and host protection insurance required for VRBO rentals should cover the victim’s losses.
Common Liability Issues
Many different types of accidents can occur on a vacation rental property in Las Vegas. Common examples include:
- Slip and fall accidents
- Staircase accidents
- Swimming pool incidents
- Security breaches and criminal activity
- Inadequate maintenance or repairs
- Structural collapses
- Misrepresentation of property features
- Failure to disclose hazards or limitations
- Fire-related incidents
- Dog bite injuries and animal attacks
VRBO hosts in Las Vegas may be guilty of vacation property negligence if they fail to take adequate care of their premises, resulting in dangerous conditions that lead to guest accidents and injuries.
Distinction Between Owner and Platform Liability
The property owner of the VRBO short-term rental has primary responsibility for what happens on the premises. Nevada premises liability laws hold property owners accountable for dangerous conditions that cause injury. In general, the property owner must pay for injuries caused by negligence (lack of ordinary care) or dangerous property defects, typically through homeowners insurance.
Unlike Airbnb, which offers host protection insurance, VRBO requires hosts to maintain their own liability insurance plans. However, VRBO as a platform may face liability if the company knew or should have known of the property owner’s dangerous behavior yet failed to act, such as ignoring multiple safety complaints submitted by guests.
Recent Developments in VRBO Liability
VRBO is in a constantly evolving legal landscape. Issues such as changes to VRBO’s terms of service, Nevada court decisions that affect short-term vacation rentals, municipal regulations in Clark County, smart home technology and security camera privacy concerns, and COVID-19 impacts on liability standards could all affect your case. This is why it is imperative to work with a knowledgeable attorney throughout your case.
For Injured Guests: Seeking Compensation
If you get injured as a guest while staying at a VRBO property in Las Vegas, a vacation rental accident lawyer can help you understand your legal rights as a victim of vacation property negligence. You may be able to recover compensation for your medical bills and other losses by filing a Nevada premises liability claim against the property owner.
In this type of case, you or your attorney must prove property owner negligence. A lawyer can help explore whether the VRBO platform may share responsibility for your injuries. Then, your lawyer can help you collect the documentation needed to support your claim and file before Nevada’s deadline, which is two years for most cases (Nevada Revised Statutes § 11.190).
Types of Compensable Damages
Through the insurance claims process – which may involve more than one policy – or a personal injury lawsuit in Las Vegas, you could receive financial compensation for the following:
- Medical expenses (immediate and long-term)
- Lost wages during recovery
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Travel expenses related to injuries
- Accommodation costs for disrupted vacation
An experienced Las Vegas VRBO liability attorney can come up with a strategy for aggressive insurance settlement negotiations, deal with an unexpected claim denial or litigate your case at trial, if necessary. Your lawyer will identify all applicable insurance policies and file your claim correctly.
How a Specialized Las Vegas VRBO Liability Attorney Helps
VRBO injury claims can come with various complications specific to this practice area. This is why it is vital to hire an attorney with experience as a vacation rental accident lawyer. An attorney can help you navigate VRBO liability as a host or guest after an accident with many tailored legal services.
For Property Owners
- Proactive risk management consulting
- Review of rental agreements and policies
- Defense against injury claims
- Insurance coverage disputes
- Regulatory compliance guidance
- HOA and municipal code violation defense
For Injured Guests
- Investigation of accident circumstances
- Documentation of property hazards
- Identification of all liable parties
- Expert witness coordination
- Valuation of unique damages in vacation contexts
- Negotiation with multiple insurance companies
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Experience With Specific Las Vegas VRBO Issues
The right attorney for you will have knowledge of local vacation rental markets, including the Strip, Summerlin and Henderson. Your lawyer should specialize in Las Vegas VRBO issues. When choosing your attorney, look for the following traits:
- Familiarity with common vacation property types
- An understanding of seasonal tourism patterns
- Knowledge of Las Vegas judges and courts
- Relationships with local investigators and subject-matter experts
The lawyer you select should be able to come up with creative solutions, whether your case needs settlement negotiations, alternative dispute resolution, a personal injury trial or the appeals process. A good lawyer will balance cost-effectiveness with maximum recovery.
Get Help With Your Las Vegas VRBO Injury Claim as a Host or Guest
If you have any type of VRBO liability matter in Las Vegas, specialized legal representation can make all the difference. The right lawyer can prove invaluable when short-term vacation rental owners and guests need protection. It is important to act quickly when seeking legal advice for a VRBO injury claim. Nevada has strict filing time limits in place that could limit your right to recover if you wait too long.
Whether you are a host or a recently injured guest, contact Edward Bernstein & Associates to speak to an experienced Las Vegas VRBO liability attorney about your case. We offer free initial consultations.