External Security Cameras - providing guests ability to cover

[Craig689]

Hi there - I've recently started letting out a holiday property on AirBnB and have installed 4 external security cameras to monitor the property when it is unoccupied.  I installed Eufy cameras and I'm pretty happy with the system. I let guests know that the property has the cameras, and I turn them off remotely for the duration of their stay. 

For guests peace of mind however, I want to give them the ability to put covers/ caps on the cameras that cover outside areas that they're likely to spend time in, so they feel comfortable and relaxed during their stay. 

Is anyone aware of caps/ covers for Eufy cameras that you can buy for this purpose? Are other hosts doing this sort of thing?

Many thanks in advance for your suggestions and ideas 🙂

[Sarah977]

@Craig689  I see nowhere in your listing information where you mention cameras. Airbnb will suspend or delist you for that.

And why would you want to turn off the cameras or have guests cover them? You list for 13 guests and are off-site hosts- that is exactlythe type of listing that should have camera surveillance- you could get people sneaking in 50 more people, 5 dogs, and throwing a party. 

Telling guests they are turned off and letting them cover them is basically saying, do whatever you want, no one is watching.

Outside cameras focused on entryways do not encroach on a guest's privacy. They alert you to shady behavior.

[Craig689]

Hi Sarah - thanks for the advice about making it clear on the listing, I'll update that now.
The cameras are to keep an eye on the property when it's unoccupied. We have neighbours on both sides who are permanent residents who can let us know if there are more people than expected, or are rowdy etc ......I guess I'm trying to put myself in the shoes of the guests who are your normal great guests and the concerns that they may have regarding being monitored without knowing (one of the cameras covers an area where guests are likely to sit outside).

Thanks again for your advice

Cheers, Craig

[Craig689]

Hi Sarah - thanks for the advice about making it clear on the listing, I'll update that now.
The cameras are to keep an eye on the property when its unoccupied. We have neighbours on both sides who are permanent residents who can let us know if there are more people than expected, or are rowdy etc ......I guess I'm trying to put myself in the shoes of the guests who are your normal great guests and the concerns that they may have regarding being monitored without knowing (one of the cameras covers an area where guests are likely to sit outside).

Thanks again for your advice

Cheers, Craig

[Sarah977]

@Craig689  I'm not a fan of surveillance myself, I just know that off-site hosts of entire place listings, especially those with high guest counts, have a lot of issues with partiers and advantage-takers.

But if you have friendly neighbors willing to be your eyes and ears, that's great.

[Lorna170]

@Craig689   IMO, if your cameras have been installed within the arm reach of a guest without access to a ladder or stepstool, expect that the cameras will be removed, dismantled, vandalized or damaged by a bad, misbehaving or "freaked out by cameras" guest.  

Be up front with your guests and let them know which areas are monitored.  Reconsider the location of any camera that would interfere with guest privacy, like the sitting area you mentioned.  It is difficult to know how to protect your property with cameras while also respecting the privacy of guests while in situ, but do your best.

[Mark116]

@Craig689  I don't quite get it.  If your neighbors are aware enough to spot misbehaving guests, wouldn't they also be aware enough to spot something going on when the place is vacant?  Allowing guests to cover the cameras makes them useless for protecting the property.  And as @Lorna170  said, if they are easy for guests to reach, be assured, they will get covered.

You might want to rethink where and how the cameras are deployed, perhaps only having them at the entrance/exist and not trained on an outside sitting area.