Live streaming of guests?

[Cedric57]

Have anyone noticed the recent spike in hosts being caught "red handed" with surveillance cameras recording guests ? There will be a lot of revisions coming soon to the platform for sure.

I understand WE have a responsibility to protect our properties,  but this violates one's civil rights don't you think?

Please provide feedback Airbnb family..

Sincerely, 

Ced

[Ann72]

@Cedric57 It's illegal in the US for landlords to to place security or surveillance cameras inside private rented spaces.  From reading these pages I gather it's legal to do so in some other countries, but I'm not sure.

In this recent incident - https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/05/europe/ireland-airbnb-hidden-camera-scli-intl/index.html - there was this quote:  "Airbnb policies strictly prohibit hidden cameras in listings."

[Cedric57]

Ann thanks for providing the CNN report relating to Airbnb policy regarding hidden cameras. Information is paramount !

[Jonathan6]

I find cameras to be invaluable, they just need to be used by the host properly and responsibly.  It is in my listing on-line, it is in my instruction packet and the cameras are out in the open with a label on them that says "Camera".  The instructions tell the guest to unplug them when they arrive and to plug them back in when they depart.  In the 10 years I have been renting I have never had a complaint.

Use them properly and it will benifit both you and your guest, no dispute over check-in/out times and monitor your cleaning and maintenance.

[Cedric57]

Jonathan I couldn't have come up with a better solution.  Plug & un plug.

Right....

[Mark116]

@Cedric57 I think hosts who do things remotely really need some type of doorbell/external cameras to protect themselves from guests who have parties or otherwise break rules about the number of people.  Airbnb is always wanting 'proof' and 'evidence' so if the hosts word and witness statements on parties and extra guests isn't sufficient, then cameras is the only way to protect the host property.  

Hidden cameras inside the unit is despicable.

[Cedric57]

Thanks Mark for that most thought provoking feedback.

[Yulianna0]

I'm thinking to put camera into my personal room. I wonder if I’m obliged to mention it in the description? Guests have nothing to do in my private place and if someone will be too curious there will be the proof... 

Funny, but my guests suggested me to put cameras for security reasons:) Even into the kitchen and facing the entrance. Think that it is a bit too much, no? I’m onsite host 

[Sarah977]

@Yulianna0   I also host in my home and only accept one guest at a time. All my guests have been lovely, trustworthy people, so I've never entertained the thought of a camera in my room (I agree that it's awful to have cameras in common areas- if I were a guest, I'd cancel if I found that).  I shouldn't think that having a camera in your private room would go against any policy nor have to be mentioned, as that's not a place that guests have any business being, nor legal access to.

But who knows how Airbnb would view it. It would be a pretty stupid guest who would complain that they were caught on camera snooping around in the host's bedroom.

[Yulianna0]

@Sarah977, I had one very unpleasant experience when people were ... too curious when I was not at home, so this idea about installing the camera came to my mind. 

Oh, stupid people are able to complain about everything! And put fantastic excuses:) 

[Jonathan6]

Why would you not mention it?  If you have an alarm, would you not want to advertise to a potential thief that there is an alarm, the camera is the same way.  Kill 2 birds with 1 stone, warn them to stay out and cover your A** by disclosing it.  Hey I would even put a sign on my private door (unobtrusive) but there "Room under Video Surveillance".

[Yulianna0]

I can agree with you, @Jonathan6. May be it can prevent me from hosting unpleasant guests. If they read something:) 

And what about fake cameras? Sometimes I want to put advertising inside my wardrobe: smile, camera is on! (Without really cameras for sure:)

[Ann72]

@Yulianna0 Any deterrent that you mean to enforce should work.  Mine is, "Linens and pillows in cedar closet are reserved for owner - you’ll forfeit your entire security deposit if you use them."  Ever since I mentioned the forefeiture of the security deposit, no one has touched them.