A host that used hidden cameras is still stalking me after I left the Country

[Patricia1644]

Who can I contact at Airbnb?

[Emiel1]

@Patricia1644,

You can report the host to Airbnb by the "report" (flag) link on the profile.

Or contact Airbnb in one of these ways:

Contact Airbnb - A Community Help Guide [UPDATED]

Best regards,

Emiel

[Helen3]

That won't do anything she needs to call them.,

[Patricia1644]

I did and they are now dealing with it, but how do you deal with the psicological trauma of being stalked by your host? The host claimd he told me there were cameras but he never said he would be recording me from the moment I enter the house and then sent me pictures from us in his living room?  even though he said the living room was part of the shared space? fisrt This surely must be wrong? and illegal?

[Mark116]

If it was a shared space and the  camera was only in the living room room, or other 'public' spaces then it is probably not illegal.  It may also be that the camera is mentioned in the listing, but you didn't see it, if it is not mentioned anywhere in the listing then it is a violation of airbnb's policy.  I can't comment on the allegation of stalking as there is not enough detail, is the host trying to get monetary compensation for something?  

[Patricia1644]

Thanks Mark. Yes, he claims I stole his car keys and hosue keys. I now know it is not illigal to have indoors CCTV but it is still unaccptable for me and I would never agree into a property with internal survelliance.  Plus it was not just the cameras but the agressive and hostile way of treateng me.

[Mark116]

@Patricia1644That seems strange, I'm assuming you live in another country, so stealing his car keys would be sort of pointless no?  But, he must think he sees something on the camera footage that supports his idea?, unless he's simply an unbalanced person, in which case, it's good you left.

I would never stay at a place that has interior cameras either, but some airbnbs do have them, either because hosts have had previous damage or are fearful of the same, it has to be disclosed in the listing, and I believe there are also supposed to be signs saying there are cameras on site, and they can only be in public places.

[Helen3]

@Patricia1644 If the host disclosed the camera's were in shared spaces then it is not wrong or illegal. There would have been an expectation that they are always running.

You could have chosen not to stay there.

You are right he shouldn't be sending you photos of the two of you in the shared space. I am sorry this happened.

You also say he has been stalking you, I hope you reported this to the policel. They should be  able to advise you on who to contact for counselling and you can also speak to Victim Support.

[Patricia1644]

Yes, I was definetely very naive. I would never rent another place unless we sign an agreement: no hidden or disclossed cameras.

I did go to the police and have case report number. The host is now requesting thousand of punds for his house and car keys (which I obviously never touchd or saw, or even considered they could be around). I just feel awfaul.

[Helen3]

Sorry @Patricia1644

I am not clear what is the host doing to stalk you?

Asking you for money for damages for his listing is not stalking you. You say on another post you only stayed at the listing for a few hours so unlikely you could have done anything to the house or car.

Obviously it won't matter whether he has footage of you or not, as you won't have committed any damage.

You have contacted Airbnb with evidence of his stalking so just leave it with them and block him on whatever channels he is using to stalk you. 

[Patricia1644]

Thanks Helen. Yes, that is what Airbnb adviced me to do- leave it to them. I just cannot let go of the unfairness and the hundreds of messages he sents me- now just through Airbnb because I blocked all others. Yes, I literally only stayed 2 hours and it is not house damages what he claims but stolen keys from car and house. 

Can guests claim compensation from stress inflicted upon them by an agressive host? It ruined my holidays and keeps stressing me at home.

[Helen3]

Who would you claim compensation from  @Patricia1644 ? Airbnb is simply a listing company. They are not responsible for a hosts behaviour.

I am not sure how he sent you hundreds of messages?  Did Airbnb not block him after you notified them of the first few? If not go to the Airbnb Help Centre and you can read up on how to block him yourself.

Please try and put it out of your mind. He can't contact you and Airbnb are dealing with it.

Obviously your phone  and other media you could block yourself after the first few too.

Have you spoken to the doctor about some counselling for the stress you are encountering?

[John1080]

This situation sounds a bit odd all around and without the full details of the event, it's impossible to give good advice. Can you comment on the extent of the stalking? 

[Patricia1644]

Yes, everything about this place was odd. From the host not disclosing the largest and steepest staircase  to access his flat and another stair within his flat,  the promotion of his flat based on images of interior spaces that he then he claimed to be out of boundaries for guests, the adamant instruction I shouls avoid talking to the neighbours at all costs, to the camera in the living room that was mentioned at passing and which was neither properly signed inside the house nor was it mentioned it would be recording 24/7. But above all the most disturbing part of this lodging was trying to talk to the host and resume a conversation we had before  arriving, when he went completelly ballistics and hostile flat out- without escalation- from the very first contact. Needless to say I left the flat straight away (after 120 minutes of arrival?) and booked a Hotel even before I knew Airbnb would fail in my favour. The alarm bells were ringing so loudly I was prepared to fork out twice the ammount of money I had expected to pay. I must say Airbnb were supportive and I am grateful for that but this experience is still haunting me for the man now claims I stole from him. The other problem that hounts me is, had I not been in a big city with the financial means of renting two accomodations simultaneously I would have been left at the mercy of a random agressive man that is willing to record every move you make inside his house- I can see a young inexperience woman (I am middle aged) staying because of the cost, this would for me be a horror movie endangering a vulnerable guest.  Airbnb and all  hosts should make it overtly clear that guests will be recorded INSIDE the house. It does not matter if it is a shared space, survelliance cameras should be sign spotted and plain obvious. Further, from the recording it is clear there are more than one cameras (the clip he sent says R2)- he is not disclosing where the one other is.

The stalking is contacting me through whatsapp after Airbnb took over the case and now that I blocked this through Airbnb demanding money for things I certainly did not do or even think of doing- like stealing his car keys- This was in the Netherlands- no one has a car there, it would have been more appropiate to acuse me of stealing his bike. Plus the house was kind of dirty- a point it now seems so trivial....... I would laugh at this should I not have been so upset.

[Helen3]

What a horrible experience @Patricia1644

Are you saying it wasn't disclosed in the listing when you booked that he had CCTV in the house? If so, this is against their rules.

I am still rather confused as how he was able to send you hundreds of messages through What's App, when you could have blocked him after the first one or two.

Your points about other female guests are valid.

As previously said, don't let this experience haunt you. In reality he was a highly unpleasant man and you had the ability to take control of the situation and block him both on your phone, what's app and Airbnb so he had no ability to contact you further.

Do speak to Victim Support and see what support they can offer you.