Should I tell guests not to use my treadmill?

[Lynn1810]

My airbnb is the lower floor of my house, with its own separate entrance through the garage.  The garage is a shared space, but the rest of the guest suite is private.  I keep my treadmill in the garage for my own personal use - I only use it when I don’t have guests.  I know gym equipment can present liability issues, so I don’t advertise it on my listing or say anything about it to guests.  I just assumed that guests wouldn’t want to work out in a shared space, but yesterday I popped in to grab a tool from the garage and my guest was on the treadmill.  I personally don’t mind them using it, but how much of a liability risk is it?  Should I add a house rule telling guests not to use it, or is it not worth worrying about?  Unfortunately, I don’t have anywhere else I can move the treadmill, so that’s not an option right now.

[Patti272 · Accepted solution]

I don't think guests would be put off if you were to say that the treadmill - or anything in the garage for that matter? - is not for guests' use. Even though it is a shared space, I think you could make note of exceptions. And I would think that saying that in the listing may be enough to protect you if there are liability concerns. Or maybe just a note right on the machine stating it's for the use of the owner only? If you only place a note on the machine though, I would take a date/time-stamped picture of it for proof for yourself in case someone tried to claim they had no knowledge of the restriction. Wishing you the best!

[Gwen386]

@Lynn1810 Can the power cord be removed? If yes, I suggest doing that. If no, cutoff the electric source to the garage. 

[Lynn1810]

I can put a note on the treadmill, and add it to my house rules that I send digitally ahead of time.

[Kitty-and-Creek0]

@Lynn1810 

How about, in addition to signage, you cover it? My guess is that any equipment is a potential hazard.