Seismic risk class I and Airbnb in Romania: what is checked and how to protect a short-term rental investment

In 2026 the red dot became one of the most important due-diligence questions for any Bucharest apartment bought for short-term rental (regim hotelier). Romanian law bans renting out space in buildings rated seismic risk class I, but only in the summer of 2026 did enforcement become visible: a Guardian investigation counted hundreds of illegal units, and Airbnb began checking listings. Here is what happened, what to do if you receive a notification and how to check a building before you buy.

What the law says

Law No. 212/2022 on reducing the seismic risk of buildings, as amended by Law No. 426/2023, expressly bans renting out space in buildings rated seismic risk class I. According to The Guardian, the ban has applied since 2024 to both short-term and long-term rentals. Switching to a conventional long-term let is therefore not a way out for an apartment in such a building.

Fines can reach 10,000 lei, according to Profit.ro; The Guardian puts them at €1,000–2,000. One practical detail matters a lot: the seismic risk class is recorded in the land register, so checking it has become easy for platforms, authorities and buyers.

What changed in 2026

On 16 July 2026, The Guardian published an analysis based on data from the organisation Re:Rise. At the end of May there were at least 207 illegal tourist rentals in RsI buildings in Bucharest, with capacity for more than 1,000 guests a night. The capital has at least 404 buildings rated class I, and City Hall has sent around 3,000 notifications. Re:Rise founder Matei Sumbasacu said the platforms had replied that this was "the responsibility of the owners".

In August the situation changed. According to Profit.ro (19 August 2026), the professional association ATIP announced that Airbnb had officially started checking apartments in RsI buildings. Notified owners have 14 days to show that the building is not rated class I; otherwise the listing risks removal from the platform. "This is a measure that will change the market. The legislation is clear, and platforms are starting to apply it strictly," said ATIP president Elena Georgiana Alexandru.

Received a notification from Airbnb? Next steps

1. Do not let the deadline slip. You have 14 days, and official documents can take several days.
2. Request an up-to-date land register extract and check the entry on the seismic risk class.
3. If the building is not rated class I, send the documents through the channel given in the notification and keep proof that you sent them.
4. If the building is rated class I, stop renting, including on other platforms and directly: the ban concerns renting itself, not a particular channel.
5. Inform guests with future bookings and handle cancellations under the platform's policies.
6. Talk to the owners' association about the status of the technical assessment and any strengthening works.

Due diligence before you buy

For investors the lesson is simple: an RsI apartment cannot generate legal rental income until the building is strengthened. Before making any offer, go through this list:

1. The land register extract. Check whether the seismic risk class is recorded.
2. The owners' association. Ask whether the building has had a technical assessment, when and with what result.
3. Public sources. Consult the lists of assessed buildings published by local authorities. Guides such as Storia's on the Bucharest seismic risk map help you find your way.
4. Tourism history. Check SITUR's open data to see whether the apartment was ever classified; the steps are in our SITUR guide.
5. The contract. Ask for statements from the seller on the building's seismic status and any notifications received.
6. Only then, the return. Run cautious scenarios and compare cities, as in our Bucharest, Cluj and Brașov analysis.

What it means for the market

Bucharest remains Romania's largest short-term rental market: according to Crosspoint Research, revenue reached €66.8 million, with an average of 5,507 active listings. The checks may reduce supply in old buildings in central areas. For compliant owners this could mean less competition, but the effect has not yet been measured, so we have not included it in any estimate.

Common mistakes

• Believing a long-term let solves the problem. The ban covers renting out space in RsI buildings, whatever the duration.
• Relying only on the seller's word. The land register and the owners' association are more reliable sources.
• Moving the listing to another platform. The law does not depend on the booking channel.
• Buying "at a discount" without a plan. Strengthening timelines are uncertain, and until then the apartment produces no rental income.

Frequently asked questions

Does the ban only apply on Airbnb?

No. The law bans renting out space in buildings rated seismic risk class I, whether the booking comes through Airbnb, Booking.com or directly.

Can I rent an apartment in an RsI building on a long-term basis?

No. According to The Guardian, the ban in force since 2024 covers both short-term and long-term rentals.

How do I find out a building's seismic risk class?

Request a land register extract, where the seismic risk class is recorded, ask the owners' association about the technical assessment and consult local authorities' public lists.

What penalties do I risk?

According to Profit.ro, fines can reach 10,000 lei and the listing can be removed from the platform. Separately, operating without a classification certificate carries a fine of 40,000–50,000 lei; details in our guide to fines.