Bucharest rentals listed on Airbnb and Booking.com in highest-risk seismic buildings

com located in Bucharest buildings classified as RS1, the highest seismic risk category. The properties had capacity for more than 1,000 guests each night. com hosted 116 of the listings, Airbnb hosted 47, and 44 appeared on both platforms. Bucharest is the most seismically vulnerable capital in the European Union.

Two major earthquakes struck the city in the last century; the 1977 event killed more than 1,500 people and destroyed 32 buildings. Experts state another major quake is inevitable.

Rental ban and enforcement Romania banned short- and long-term rentals in RS1 buildings in 2024. At least 404 buildings in Bucharest fall under the prohibition, with fines ranging from €1,000 to €2,000 for violations. Only a fraction of the city's housing stock has been assessed, so the actual number of prohibited rentals may be higher.

com requires hosts to declare whether a property sits in an RS1 building. Matei Sumbasacu, founder of Re:Rise, said the organization contacted both platforms and was told responsibility rests with owners.

Guest experiences and platform responses Ana Todor stayed in two Airbnb properties in RS1 buildings in 2025. She said the buildings appeared unsafe from the outside and that she was unaware the rentals were illegal. She stated she would now consider building condition when booking.

A spokesperson for Airbnb said the company is investigating the listings and has asked two hosts to prove their properties are not in RS1 buildings, with delisting planned if they cannot. com spokesperson said the platform expects partners to follow local laws and has a process for authorities to report concerns.