How to check an Airbnb address for safety before you book
No record can promise a safe stay, and anyone who says otherwise is selling something. What you can do is look at the public record for the address and ask better questions. Here is what that record can and cannot tell you for a City of Los Angeles address.
What public records can show
- Permit history. Whether electrical, plumbing, structural or other work was permitted and finished, and whether any permit is still open.
- Hazard zones. Whether the address sits in a mapped flood, fire, earthquake fault, liquefaction, landslide or tsunami zone.
- Police report counts near the address. A count of reported incidents in the area, shown as a number with a date, not a rating.
- City registration. Whether the City shows a home sharing registration on file for the address, and whether the number on the listing matches it.
- Citations and enforcement records the City shows for the property.
What they cannot show
- Whether a particular stay will be safe, clean or good.
- Anything about the host. Deedlore describes properties, not people.
- Conditions that were never reported, permitted or recorded.
Questions worth asking the host
- Are there working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and where is the nearest exit?
- Is the City registration number on the listing, and does it match this address?
- Has any recent work been done on the property?
How Deedlore helps
Deedlore pulls the public record for a City of Los Angeles address into one report. The Stay Check adds a manual review of the City registration and is emailed within 2 business days. Reports summarize public records as of the date shown, may be incomplete, and are not legal advice or a safety guarantee. Deedlore is not affiliated with Airbnb, Vrbo or any booking platform.
Know before you book!
Related guides
- Red flags when booking an Airbnb in Los Angeles
- How to look up permits for a Los Angeles address
- Is an address in a hazard zone?
- How to check an Airbnb before you book, step by step
- How to check if a Los Angeles Airbnb is legal
- Airbnb scams: what public records can and cannot catch
- How to check the area around an Airbnb
Common questions
What are the risks of staying at an Airbnb?
Common risks are a listing that does not match the real place, a rental that is not registered with the City, hazards or unfinished work at the property, and scams that pull payment off the booking site. Public records can help you check the address, the City registration and the permit history. They cannot rate the host or guarantee a stay.
Is Airbnb safe and trustworthy?
Most stays go without problems, and booking platforms have their own protections, but quality varies from one listing to the next. It is worth checking the specific address instead of relying on the platform alone. Deedlore is not affiliated with Airbnb, Vrbo or any booking platform.
How do I know if an Airbnb is safe?
No one can promise that. In the City of Los Angeles, find the City registration number on the listing and make sure it matches the address. Check the permit history and the hazard maps, read recent reviews that mention the street and parking, and ask the host about smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and the nearest exit. Keep your payment and messages on the booking site.
Is it safe to stay in an Airbnb by yourself as a woman?
Many people travel alone without problems, and the steps are practical. Choose a listing with self check-in or a host who answers quickly, read reviews from other solo guests, look at the area around the address and how you will get there at night, and share your address and plans with someone you trust. Public records describe the property and the area, not any person, and cannot guarantee safety.
Does Deedlore check the host?
No. Deedlore describes properties, not people. It does not show host names or run background checks.
Does a registered rental mean a safe stay?
No. A registration shows what the City has on file as of the date checked. It is not a finding that a stay will be safe or good.
Which addresses are covered?
Addresses in the City of Los Angeles only. Other cities, including Santa Monica and Beverly Hills, have their own rules.