Bill would require that short-term rental guests receive notices on beach conditions

Rep. Lourdes Ramos Rivera

By The Star Staff

Due to the life-threatening risks associated with Airbnb guests’ lack of awareness regarding sea and beach conditions, New Progressive Party Rep. Lourdes Ramos Rivera announced on Tuesday a bill requiring short-term rental operators to include a safety notice for guests about hazardous conditions on nearby beaches.

House Bill 605, introduced in May, is currently under consideration by the House Tourism Committee. The legislation would also mandate that Airbnb property operators or managers provide contact information for relevant government agencies in case of emergencies and evacuations due to weather events.

The listed agencies include the Emergency Response System (911) Bureau, the Bureau of Emergency Management and Disaster Administration, the United States Coast Guard, the Police Bureau, the municipal police, and the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources.

Ramos noted that the significant increase in short-term rentals on the island presents considerable challenges in ensuring the safety of guests.

“The issue is worsened when visitors, who come to relax and enjoy the Island’s natural beauty, are unaware of the specific conditions in the area where they are staying, especially regarding the beaches and rivers,” she emphasized. “This bill aims to fill the gap in safety information that is often not communicated to foreign visitors and which has already resulted in fatalities.”

On Tuesday, officials found the body of a surfer missing since Sunday at Mar Chiquita beach in Manatí.

The lawmaker pointed out that “the natural beauty of our coasts and bodies of water, which is a major attraction, often conceals strong currents and unsupervised areas, leading to accidents.”

“It is essential to implement an additional safety measure to alert guests about dangerous conditions in the areas where they are staying, in order to prevent serious incidents and protect both tourists and residents,” she reiterated.

Ramos noted that while Tourism Company Regulation No. 8856 outlines several physical and operational requirements -- such as fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, security systems and pest control -- it does not require a safety notice for guests regarding the dangers associated with bodies of water and emergency protocols for weather-related events.

According to the measure, “it is the state’s responsibility to ensure public safety by requiring that owners or operators of short-term rentals provide clear, accessible information that enables guests to make informed decisions and respond appropriately in emergencies.”