As a responsible vacation rental property owner, it’s crucial to prioritize guest comfort, privacy, and safety. Establishing proper camera etiquette is essential. In this blog post, we will discuss key considerations for camera use, including respecting privacy, documenting accidents, and taking appropriate action. The last thing you would want as property manager or home owner – is to be shut down from the platforms for not disclosing your home security systems. These key points will help you make the best choices for your home and your guests!
Respecting Guests' Privacy
- Transparency: Inform potential guests about security cameras in your rental listings. You do need to disclose all camera’s including RING door bell cameras and the like. You not only need to disclose their presence, but also their location and if they have the ability to record audio as well. I recommend making it a habit to disclose it often, from the initial inquiry to your check in message! That way there is no discrepancy of the guest not knowing or perhaps overlooking the notice. If you have a smart home, CO2 monitors or any other security features, it’s best to disclose those as well as guests can often times mistake them for monitoring devices. If it LOOKS like a camera, disclose it!
- Interior Privacy: Avoid installing cameras inside indoor spaces like living rooms or game rooms. Although if disclosed, camera’s are OK inside main areas of the home – however, this is overkill in my opinion and will not only prevent bookings for you, but also make guests feel uneasy once they arrive.
It is NEVER ok to “spy” on guests! Even if you are just trying to verify the guest count or have suspicions of an unauthorized pet.
Taking Appropriate Action
- Non-Intrusive Monitoring: Don’t actively monitor cameras during a guest’s stay. There is NOTHING worse than confronting a guest upon their arrival to ask them about the extra person they brought or perhaps their undisclosed pet that could be a service animal. That’s going to set everyone off on the wrong foot immediately.
- Unaccounted Guests: Address additional unaccounted guests noticed in post-stay footage ONLY if their are damages and or the like AFTER departure.
- Damage and Incidents: Use camera footage to document damages and address incidents AFTER the guest’s departure.
- Guest Privacy: Respect guest privacy while reviewing footage and avoid sharing without valid reason or legal requirement.
Always remain calm when confronting guests with minor damage issues. It’s important to know when to choose your battles and when to let things go.
Proper camera etiquette involves transparent communication, respect for privacy, and using camera footage responsibly. Avoid interior surveillance, refrain from monitoring during a guest’s stay, and take appropriate action post-stay. By adhering to these guidelines, you can maintain guest comfort, privacy, and safety at your rental property.
