@Patricia1644
I totally understand your discomfort about internal CCTV cameras, especially if these were not disclosed on the listing. However, as @Krystal16 has clarified, her cameras are external and the guest was aware of them beforehand.
I wanted to respond to your statement
@Patricia1644 wrote:
if something is broken or stolen there is a security deposit for it.
Erm, not there isn't really. The security deposit on Airbnb is a bit of a myth. Airbnb do not collect any deposit on booking and the host certainly doesn't get one. Should something be broken or stolen, the host has to jump through all sorts of hurdles in order to claim any compensation and many hosts get nowhere even if they have all the evidence that is required.
At the same time, a guest can leave a retaliatory review (and that is the main topic of this thread) because a host asked them to pay for things they damaged, or asked if they had an item that had mysteriously disappeared. They can post false comments and leave 1 star ratings across the board, costing the host their hard-earned Superhost status as well as having that horrible review plastered on their listing and profile. It is almost impossible to get Airbnb to remove such a review, even when you have proof that it was in retaliation for a guest being brought up on bad behaviour.
Because of this, many hosts are too scared to ask a guest about damages etc. let alone challenge them in any way for breaking serious house rules. It puts us in a super difficult position.
Although most guests do not behave this way, there are enough of them out there. @Krystal16 is very wise in having her external CCTV cameras because she needs to protect herself, given that Airbnb don't actually do it, despite their widely publicised 'Host Guarantee' and 'We've got your back' slogan. Also, it's not uncommon for guests to bring additional, unregistered people to stay at the property or throw parties. The CCTV cameras are really useful in not only proving this behaviour, but deterring it in the first place.
Internal CCTV is just creepy though.