Security camera

Nao2
Level 1
Norwell, MA

Security camera

For the first time I used Airbnb with such an excitement, but only ended up being greeted with the security cameras installed in the living room without us knowing at the time of the reservation. If we knew,, we would have not made the reservation .... What do other hosts think it's appropriate way to notify the guest? 

As a guest, it would have been fair to us to acknowledge the presence of the cameras when we are searching options . 

 

95 Replies 95

Message me Steve I'm an NBC News reporter would be interested in hearing more about this.

Sure. How do I reach you? 

WHAT'S YOUR EMAIL. I HAVE CONTACT AIRBNB WITH NO HELP NOR SOLUTION I RECENTLY CAME ACROSS MY AIRBNB HOST HAD ENTERED BY APARTMENT AND MASTURTABED WHILST LOOKING AT MY PERSONAL BELONGINGS AND STOLE PERSONAL PROPERTY.  I HAVE IT ALL CAUGHT ON VIDEO. 

Thank you for your input I didn’t even think of that. Good point!

Robin4
Level 10
Mount Barker, Australia

@Nao2.....Yes Nao, "As a guest, it would have been fair to us to acknowledge the presence of the cameras when we are searching options."...... I agree with you 100% Nao!

There has to be a certain amount of trust involved....we know full well that we are inviting strangers into our homes, and if we feel the need to keep track on them every instant they are with us....then we do not belong to any part of hosting....go and do something else that will make you a dollar!!!

I would not, in a fit,  install a camera in my listed space...there is no way on Gods earth I would ever book accommodation in a listing that states they have security cameras and, I would request to be re-located the instant I walked into a listing that had previously undisclosed cameras!!

To those hosts that feel this is ok....LEAVE.....you do not belong to the concept of hosting, you are invading the privacy of your paying guests, and there is no place for you on this platform!!!

Cheers.....Rob

Are you talking about ANY security camera, or just ones that monitor living spaces?

 

I have a security camera in my front hall, so I take exception to being told I don't belong on Airbnb. I think there are good reasons to have one.

 

As a new host, I'd read so many horror stories of extra guests, theft, party-going-busloads of people...it was of great concern to me - and having a camera resolved a lot of those worries. Not that nothing bad will ever happen, but it seems likely I'd find out about an issue before it develops into a worst case scenario.

 

I'm more flexible with guests because of it - more comfortable allowing late-night (after I've gone to bed) or self-checkins because I can see that - yep - that's the person who reserved the room and they have the # of people they said they'd have.

 

And that camera isn't just directed at guests; several cleaning and service people have access to my home. While I think they're all good people, it's difficult to always know. If something ever went missing from my guests' rooms, I'd have a clue about who was in the house.

 

That said, this is a camera in a shared hallway, not a living room or bedroom. It's disclosed in my house description and I haven't had any complaints from guests.

 

I don't think a (well-placed) security camera takes away from my ability to provide an excellent host experience.

And I'm not leaving 😉

Robin4
Level 10
Mount Barker, Australia

@Allison2

That is fine for you Allison, I agree with external surveilance, even to the point of showing who walks through the front door. But once a guest has paid money to have the use of your property they are entitled to an absolute level of privacy and I do regard a 'hall shot' camera as an invasion of privacy!

What if my wife in her underwear tried to cross your hallway for a glass of water before going to bed, using her walking frame. She suffers from MS and no longer walks un aided. She hates me seeing her getting around in her underwear let alone anyone else! If she had even the slightest hint that she may be observed there is absolutely no way that I, you, or anyone on gods earth could convince her to stay in your listing!!

You can take exception, that's fine and that is your right,  but you would have to do without my booking, and at least 50% of prospective guests!

What you are saying is, you don't trust anyone, not even your own service people, and I personally don't think that attitude, that level of trust, belongs to hosting....but, that's just my opinion!

Cheers.....Rob

You're assuming that I don't care for the privacy of my guests based on an erroneous idea of where my security camera is located.

 

Guests' entire suite is located on the second floor of my home, while the camera is downstairs, next to the front door. If your wife decided to walk downstairs partially dressed she'd be showing her backside to anyone who happened to be in my dining room and the entire neighborhood through the glass front door and window. My camera is really only catching people when they're dressed for public viewing.

 

I'm happy that you've never found a person unworthy of your trust. My rose colored glasses went missing around the same time the HVAC guy stole a camera from my closet when I was 13.

 

I have a security camera to protect both myself and my guests. The beauty of Airbnb is that you can host your way and I can mine. 🙂

 Robin, I do agee with you that people who place hidden camera in their home should not be renting their proprty. I think they should keep it for themselves. If they feel they do not need to inform the guest camera are inside the home than they do not care about invasing people privacy. Yet he/she want them to pay the money that are being request. I feel whenever the guest fine our on their own they should refund their money back.

Who said anything about hidden cameras?  @Allison0  You did not mention a hidden camera.  The camera is in the hallway and easily visible.  I am against hidden cameras but all for cameras in common areas, living room, kitchen, front door, hallway.  Many establishments have cameras in common areas but folks tend to respect that.  Just as cameras are not in the actual hotel room but definitely in every area leading up to it (including breakfast, drink, ice machine areas).  I have caught guests doing some very undesireable things.  In my town, a guest taped a porno inside an Airbnb's home.  WHO DOES THAT!!!!!

Robin I think and out door camera or  a hallway view of the fron door is practical only showing a waist up shot. The problem I have had as a host is parties against policy and no evident except, 8 fifty gallon rash bags full from the weekend and damage to the propery.   When you have a overnight guest limit or fee for additional people it keeps everyone honest.   Hosts spend money and energy into making the property great for our guest.  You and your family may not be the problem but if some trashes my house right before you check in then we are both going to be unhappy.  This can and does happen if you are not on premises.   

I am thinking of installing a camera just to capture who comes and goes which will be as you enter my apartment on the celing of the front door. After which there is a long corridor to enter the living room. This is both for the benefit of the host and guest as there are no survelliance cameras in this apartment complex which is only 20 apartments and recently someone had opened the front door of a ground floor apartment and took the car keys and remote and stole the residents car. Also this gives me peace of mind that there are no extra unpaid guests are staying over. As you mention we go out of our way to make the properties affordable and comfortable to guests and I have had instances that only 1 guest is booked but theres evidence that more than 1 had being staying but I have no proof. My issue is I have furture reservations at which point the camera is not installed so I am wondering how to go about it. The camera will only capture who comes and leaves nothing else. Any wisdom will be appreciated 

I’m curious about this as welll! We are preparing another Airbnb and would like to get some feedback from all of you who have a condo and who may have some sort of video surveillance/ video check in and out process. We really just want to be sure we aren’t having guests bring unwelcomed visitors.  

Many hosts do this. You'd add the disclosure about a camera pointed at the door. Also consider adding a picture of the camera/doorway since guests don't always read the listing details. See if it's possible to turn off sound recording so guests feel more private in the living room.

 

For any currently booked guests you'd need to message them saying you made an update to your listing. If anyone balks at the camera offer them a refund - get Air CS to help with a cancellation by admin.

I appreciate your perspective, but I have to tell you that I would not stay at any AirBnb again with a camera. I find it invasive. People have their right to have their opinions about external cameras; I just want to let those people know that it can be off putting to guests. Even us innocent, respectful, considerate guests -with nothing to hide- can be offended by the feeling of being "watched". I understand there are some **bleep**ty people out there but if you are interested in feedback from a good one for business purposes, I would say that I won't stay anywhere that I am not trusted.