Publications

• Renter Beware - NFPA Journal - By Justin Ford

Short-Term Rental & AirBnb Safety Expert Witness

Specialties & Experience of this Expert Witness

Additional Information

I am an internationally recognized short-term rental safety expert with nearly 30 years of experience in the vacation rental industry. I created and lead the industry's largest short-term rental safety certification program. and have defined the 'industry standard' when it comes to safety in vacation rentals, AirBnbs, and short-term rentals. My background combines vacation rental operations, life-safety expertise, and emergency response experience. I began working in vacation rentals in 1997 and owned and operated the highest grossing vacation rental agency in the northeast for 11 years. I spent 15 years as a municipal firefighter. I also served in the United States Coast Guard where I was responsible for safety and emergency preparedness. I specialize in short-term rental, AirBnb, and vacation rental premises liability matters, including fire and life safety, carbon monoxide incidents, smoke alarm compliance, means of egress, deck and balcony failures, pool and hot tub incidents, bunk bed safety, child safety, guest injury prevention, safety inspections, property management standards of care, maintenance practices, hazard identification, and risk management. I am a member of the NFPA 101/5000 Short-Term Rental Task Group and the International Code Council (ICC) Fire Code Action Committee's Short-Term Rental Sub-Workgroup, helping develop guidance and standards that impact short-term rental properties. My work incorporates NFPA standards, International Building Code (IBC), International Residential Code (IRC), U.S. Fire Administration guidance, Consumer Product Safety Commission recommendations, insurance loss data, and analysis of real-world incidents. I have trained more than 10,000 vacation rental professionals, including property managers, owners, maintenance personnel, inspectors, government officials, and hospitality professionals. I regularly present at national and international conferences and have delivered hundreds of educational presentations, webinars, podcasts, and training sessions focused on vacation rental safety and risk reduction. My expertise has been featured by national media outlets including Good Morning America, the Today Show, HGTV, and numerous industry publications. I provide expert witness services for plaintiff and defense counsel involving short-term rental, AirBnb, and vacation rental properties, including case review, standards-of-care analysis, incident investigation, depositions, and trial testimony.