What safety devices does a short-term rental need?
The rule, in short
If you let a flat in Italy for short stays or for holidays, it must have:
- working combustible gas detectors;
- working carbon monoxide detectors;
- portable fire extinguishers that meet legal requirements.
This is set out in article 13-ter, paragraph 7, of Decree-Law 145 of 2023. The key sentence says that, in any case, all residential units must have them: not just businesses running rentals, but also a private owner letting a single flat.
Gas and carbon monoxide detectors
They do different jobs.
- A gas detector warns of a methane or LPG leak before it becomes dangerous.
- A carbon monoxide detector warns of a gas you can’t see or smell. It forms when a boiler, water heater or stove burns badly — for example, when the flue is blocked.
The law asks for them to be working. In practice that means fitted in the right places relative to the gas appliances, powered, tested now and then, and replaced at the end of their life. A detector that’s unplugged or has a flat battery is no use to your guest, or to you.
Extinguishers: how many and where
For extinguishers the law is more specific:
- in accessible, visible positions, especially near the entrances and the higher-risk areas, such as the kitchen;
- one for every 200 square metres of floor or part of it;
- at least one on each floor.
For the type of extinguisher, the law refers to point 4.4 of Annex I to the Interior Ministry decree of 3 September 2021. After that, the extinguisher has to be kept in working order, with routine checks.
What about the building systems?
For rentals run as a business, the same paragraph also requires the systems to meet the safety requirements of national and regional rules. Practical advice holds for everyone, though: electrics and gas in good order, with their declaration of conformity, save you worries before a guest arrives.
What happens if they’re missing
The law sets penalties for letting without the required devices, with checks carried out by the local council (same article, paragraphs 9 and 11). Better to sort it out beforehand: fitting a detector doesn’t take long.
A checklist to keep handy
Before each season, check:
- that the gas and carbon monoxide detectors are on and pass their test;
- that the extinguishers are in place, visible and up to date with their routine checks;
- that the boiler, water heater and flues have been inspected;
- that guests can find the essentials: where the consumer unit and the gas shut-off are.
How we work
We install the gas and carbon monoxide detectors ourselves and check that they work. For extinguishers and their routine maintenance we work together with Unitalia. See our short-term rentals page.