Breezeway's 'Commitment to Safety' Annual Certification Requirements

To be certified as completing the Breezeway ‘Commitment to Safety’ Inspection, a short-term rental property must meet these requirements that have a focus on preventing death and injuries in short-term rentals. Categories include:

General Building Inspections

It is recommended, but not required, that a home inspection be completed of the vacation rental and any issues discovered by the home inspector be addressed. A home inspection of the exterior will identify safety issues such as tree hazards, trip hazards on walkways, patios and driveways. It will also identify problems with attached and adjacent decks, balconies, stoops, steps, porches, and associated railings. GFI Outlets will be checked to make sure they are installed and working properly to prevent electrical issues.

Property Exterior

Address Markers - Required

Stairway Handrails - Handrail(s) on at at least one side of all stairs of 3 or more steps - Required

Exterior Lighting - Good exterior lighting to prevent trips and falls in walkways and on driveways - Required

Outdoor Furniture Safety Checks - Check, tighten and make sure all are safe for use - Required

Fire-pit Location and Extinguishing - Fire-pit placement as required by building codes - Required

Barbecue Grill Placement - Fire-pit placement as required by building codes - Required

Bike Safety Checks - Recommended

Playground / Play Sets / Swings - Recommended

Pool and/or Spa/Hot Tubs

Pool Fence - Recommended, but not required

Pool Alarms - Recommended, but not required

Pool Depth Markers - Recommended, but not required

Pool Safety Hook - Recommended, but not required

Pool Safety Sign - Typical safety sign as seen in commercial use - Required

Life Preserver Ring - Recommended, but not required

Pool Slide - Recommended, but not required

Pool Toy Offerings - Recommended, but not required

Spa Cover - Requirements for secure cover to prevent children from accessing - Location of tub is recommended

Spa Safety Sign - Typical safety sign as seen in commercial use - Required

Waterfront

Dock / Pier Safety Checks - Recommended, but not required

Boat Offering Requirements - Recommended, but not required

Interior General

Interior Home Inspection by Licensed Home Inspector - Recommended, but not required

A home inspection of the interior will identify safety issues such as issues with appliances, steps, railings, dryer vents, fireplaces, wood stoves, plumbing, electrical systems, and HVAC systems. GFI Outlets will be checked to make sure they are installed and working properly to prevent electrical issues. It is recommended that this inspection should occur at least every five years at vacation rental dwellings. The rest of the interior items below are not covered in a home inspection, thus they are separated out to be completed separately.

Candles Removed From Rental - Required

Matches & Non-Childproof Lighters Removed From Rental - Required

Rodent Traps/Bait Station Placement - Out of reach of children and pets - Required

Windows & Door Security - Working locks on all windows and doors - Required

Emergency Information Card Posted - Required

First Aid Kit - Required

Fire Extinguisher Placement - Requirements for one near the kitchen - Recommended on each floor

Smoke Alarms - Installation and type to meet State and Local laws as well as be less than 10 years old - Required

Carbon Monoxide Detectors - Installation and type to meet State and Local laws as well as be less than 7 years old - Required

Fireplace(s) / Chimney(s) Inspections - Annual inspection for ones in use - Required

Gas Fireplace Operation Instructions - Recommended, but not required

Propane/Natural Gas Supply Line Inspections - Recommended, but not required

Chemicals & Toxic Cleaning Supplies Placement - Out of reach of children - Required

Bedroom Emergency Egress - Meet International Building Codes - Recommended

Bunkbeds - Top rails, secure ladders and ceiling fans out of area - Required

Carpets & Area Rug Trip Hazards - Recommended

Furniture Safety Inspections - Recommended

Kitchen Safety Inspections - Knives sharpened, appliances cleaned annually - Required

Electrical Panel Familiarity - Recommended, but not required

Boiler Inspections - Recommended, but not required

Furnace Inspections - Recommended, but not required

Hot Water Heater / Domestic Water Temperature - Water temperature set to around 120F - Required

Stairway Handrails - Handrail(s) on at least one side of all stairs of 3 or more steps - Required

Elevated Floor Guardrails - 36” high Guardrail(s) on exposed floors of 4 or more steps - Required

Elevator (private) - Private elevators inspected annually - Recommended, but not required

Laundry Room

Dryer Vent Inspections & Cleaning - Exhaust duct type and annual cleaning - Required

Attached Garage

Heat Sensor - Recommended, but not required

Your Municipality Certification

If your municipality requires you to have additional safety criteria not mentioned in the Breezeway Certification, you’ll need to meet that additional criteria as well. For example, Breezeway doesn’t require bedrooms to have a closet at short term rentals, but if your property is located in Palm Springs, CA, that locality does, and so Breezeway will require it as well. 

Last updated: February 25, 2020