Short-term rentals don't come with the security infrastructure a hotel has — no front desk, no security staff, no one checking who comes and goes. It's a reason to spend five minutes doing what the hotel would otherwise do for you.

Before you book

Read reviews specifically for safety mentions, not just cleanliness and comfort — a broken lock, a sketchy neighbourhood, or a host who behaved oddly will usually show up in past guest reviews if you look for it.

Check the listing for lock and access details. Self-check-in with a keypad or lockbox is fine, but note the code and access method before you travel so you're not fumbling with it, exposed, on an unfamiliar street after dark.

Look past the photos at the actual location — a quick look at the surrounding area on a map, and a search for the neighbourhood name plus "safe," tells you more than the listing description will.

The five-minute check on arrival

  • Test every lock — front door, any secondary doors, and windows, especially ground-floor ones.
  • Locate your exits. Know at least two ways out before you need one.
  • Check for a working smoke detector. It's the single most commonly missing piece of safety equipment in short-term rentals.
  • Look for anything that shouldn't be there — devices, cameras, or objects that seem out of place. It's rare, but hidden cameras in rentals are a documented issue; a quick visual scan of smoke detectors, alarm clocks, and USB chargers in bedrooms and bathrooms is a reasonable precaution, not paranoia.
  • Note the host's actual contact details, beyond the in-app messaging, in case you need to reach them urgently and the app is down.

While you're staying

Don't publicise the address. Avoid geotagged posts or public shares that reveal exactly where you're staying, especially if you're travelling alone.

Meet first-time hosts in a public space if you can, particularly for longer stays or if anything about the arrangement feels off before you arrive.

Keep the same habits you'd use anywhere else — vary your routine if you're staying a while, don't leave valuables in view of windows, and lock up properly every time you leave, even for ten minutes.

If something feels wrong

Trust it. A host who shows up unannounced, a lock that doesn't work properly, or a listing that doesn't match its description are all valid reasons to contact the platform's support line and, if needed, arrange alternative accommodation. Most platforms have some form of guest protection for exactly this situation — it's worth knowing the process before you travel, not looking it up for the first time when you need it.