When we invest in a vacation rental, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of a new and novel enterprise. What could be more fun than outfitting a cabin with cool furniture, adding a Keurig, and hanging the proverbial shingle on Airbnb: “We’re here!”

But the less glamorous part of owning a vacation rental is protecting guests from serious—and sometimes obvious—hazards.

A friend of mine had a claim about two months ago after a 400-pound man fell through his deck. Fortunately, the property was insured and the claim was settled.

What concerns me more is gross negligence: serious, known—or readily discoverable—risks that an owner consciously ignores. Depending on the policy and circumstances, that kind of conduct can create major liability and may jeopardize insurance coverage.

What might that look like?

• Ignoring large wasp nests or beehives until a guest or child is stung repeatedly, possibly with fatal consequences.
• Failing to address bats, rodents, or other pests that may carry rabies or disease.
• Ignoring electrical hazards near hot tubs, pools, bathtubs, showers, or sinks—places where electricity and water can become a deadly combination.
• Leaving slippery stairs, protruding nails, rotting deck boards, loose handrails, or deteriorated balconies unrepaired.
• Continuing to rent after a guest, cleaner, or maintenance worker has reported a dangerous condition.

The key word is ignoring.

Saying, “I live 500 miles away and didn’t know,” may not be much of a defense if reasonable inspections and maintenance would have uncovered the danger. Distance does not eliminate an owner’s responsibility to establish a reliable system for inspecting, reporting, documenting, and correcting hazards.

You may not personally see every loose railing or rotting board, but someone should be regularly looking for them—and you should be able to show what was inspected, when it was inspected, and what was done about any problems.

When—not if—you eventually have a claim, the injured party, attorneys, insurance companies, and possibly a court will examine whether you acted reasonably as the property’s owner. They will want to know whether the danger was known, whether it should have been discovered, and whether you took timely steps to correct it.

Beautiful photographs and five-star amenities attract guests. A disciplined inspection and maintenance program protects them—and may protect your entire investment.