Locks and Privacy

[Lisa10080]

If you're renting an Airbnb where you're also sharing with other renters in a multi bedroom dwelling, shouldn't there be locks on the bedroom and bathroom doors for security? If you have valuables in your room, and leaving for the day there should be a way to secure your things from other strangers who can just walk into your room. A woman staying in one room should not have to risk having a male guest open her door and enter her room while she sleeps or enter the bathroom while she bathes. The rule makes no sense. 

[Joan2709]

@Lisa10080 

Yes...most hosts who have a home share listing do have locks on the bedroom and bathroom, however it is not a requirement. A lock on the bedroom door is noted on the first page of the Rooms listing. If you don't see that, I would move on to another listing. You can also search for Rooms Listings that indicate a private attached bathroom that is only accessible from inside your bedroom using the Search Filters. You can always message the Host before booking if you have any questions.

[Jackson180]

I host a room in my home and we have real locks on most doors. All bedrooms, office, pantry, and "Honest Mans" locks on bathrooms and closets. I was able to get about 8 locks made including separate keys for each room and masterkeys for around $200.

[Helen3]

Absolutely. @Lisa10080 

Personally I wouldn't stay in a shared place with multiple independent guests but if a host has this set up then they should have locks for bedrooms and bathrooms .

Did it mention on the listing that they had locks ? 

[Alex]

Hello @Lisa10080, 👋

Thank you for sharing this in the community, I completely understand your view. Did you check the answers you got in your post? Most of the members agree with you. 

Let us know what do you think about their opinions. 😄

Alex

[Surin13]

What if the guest lock himself out? 
I think both options have pros and cons. I had a tannent who went crazy all night till next morning when I went there. He almost broke the knob. 

[Joan2709]

@Surin13 

If you use the correct type of lock...there is no way they can lock themselves out? Most use a push button lock and have a backup key stored in a lock box some where if needed.

[Surin13]

If you are able to lock from inside like bathroom, should’t that be enough. Now they have to have two keys one for front door and one for their room. You can have a safe for your valuables in the room so you don’t need lock. Keeping a second key  is good but are you saying we should tell them in advance that there is a spare key? 

[Joan2709]

@Surin13 

No, don't tell them in advance there is a spare key. That info is only provided in case they lock themselves out. If you are providing a safe in the room that is large enough for things like a laptop, then that would work. Most Hosts don't. Therefore, yes you need the ability to lock the door behind you, so anything in the room can't be accessed when you leave to go out as a guest. Hosts of course will always have the combo to the room in case there is an emergency, but other guests staying will not have access to the bedroom.

I never recommend keys. Most hosts use a push button "dumb" lock (as opposed to a smart lock using WiFi) so they avoid guests losing keys. The spare key in lock box is only if they have an issue.