Airbnb Home Security | Ultimate Guide and List

*Image credit: Guardians Safe and Vault *

Having a vacation home can, at times, feel like a job. Between making sure the landscaping won’t anger the homeowner’s association to keeping the home’s temperature at a certain level to keep the pipes from bursting, we truly never get a vacation from our vacation home. On top of that, often we can be overwhelmed by the possibility of somebody taking advantage of the hospitality offered by Airbnb hosts.

We’ve all heard the horror stories: wild parties, stolen valuables, damaged property, etc. A little bit of technology, however, can go a long way to help you feel safer and more secure as an Airbnb host!

Use of cameras and recording devices in Airbnb Properties

To help provide hosts and guests with the peace of mind they deserve, Airbnb allows security measures like security cameras and noise monitoring devices, as long as they are clearly disclosed in the listing description and don’t infringe on another person’s privacy. Rules about devices apply to all cameras, recording devices, smart devices, and monitoring devices.

What does Airbnb allow?

• Disclosed devices monitoring only public spaces and common spaces: Devices that allow for viewing or monitoring of only a public space (ex: a front door or a driveway) or a common space that are clearly identified and disclosed ahead of a reservation are permitted. Common spaces do not include sleeping areas or bathrooms.

What does Airbnb not allow?

• Concealed and undisclosed devices monitoring common spaces: Any device monitoring a common space should be installed in a visible manner and disclosed in the listing description.
• Devices located in or monitoring private spaces: Devices should never monitor private spaces (ex: bedrooms, bathrooms, or common areas that are being used as sleeping areas, like a living room with a sofa bed). Disconnected devices are allowed as long as they are turned off and proactively disclosed to guests.
• Recording devices in an entire home or apartment (Mainland China only): Cameras and recording devices are not allowed in entire homes or apartments unless they are clearly identified and disclosed in the common spaces of a stay identified as a “resort,” “castle,” or, “villa.” Learn more about these rules in Mainland China.

Now that we have a clear understanding on what is allowed and what is prohibited, let's analyze some home security gadgets that you can totally take advantage of, as a host, that will get the job done, all while abiding by Airbnb’s legal terms and conditions.

5 Essential Home Security Gadgets for Airbnb Hosts

![5 Essential Home Security Gadgets for Airbnb Hosts]

1. Keyless entry

Whether you’re out of town visiting family or busy at work, key exchanges for Airbnb hosts can be a major hassle. Secure one door or hundreds, and manage access from anywhere. RemoteLock supports both hardwired and smart-lock solutions, from main entries to parking garages to residential doors.Keyless entry devices like Remotelock will give you the freedom to open your Airbnb rental from the palm of your hand on your mobile phone.

This type of device avoids the pitfalls of lockbox codes, easily mounts over your deadbolt, and is significantly more affordable than installing a full-blown automated home system.

Another option is Nuki smart door locks which automatically unlock your door when you get home and securely lock it again when you leave. Your smartphone simply remains in your pocket!

Nuki Home Solutions is the leading supplier of smart home solutions in Europe. The company aims to make access controls smarter and physical keys irrelevant. Nuki believes in the power of mobile technology innovations and uses it to facilitate our daily lives.

2. Smart doorbells

Verifying identities as an Airbnb host can also be tricky. With smart doorbell systems like Ring Video Doorbell (2nd gen), you can get a widescreen, HD visual of who’s at your door from your cell phone or tablet, and you can communicate with them via a two-way intercom. This gives you the ability to visually verify the identity of your guest, with the added capability of viewing from your mobile phone who is coming in and out of your Airbnb rental.

3. Video sensors

In order to keep your Airbnb investment safe and avoid potential lawsuits, experts recommend that you disclose the presence of video cameras inside your home, while others suggest you place cameras in off-limits areas where valuables are stored.

The Reolink Argus Pro outdoor motion sensor camera keeps an eye on things outside the house. It can catch 130 degrees of your home in 1080p HD resolution and send it straight to your smartphone. It also includes night vision allowing you to see 33 feet in the dark. Dummy cameras (Amazon) ($5 – $25) are also an option for hosts keeping things on the cheap.

4. Minut Smart Home Sensor

Another innovative and less invasive home alarm solution is Minut, a smart home sound sensor which does not eavesdrop or make sound recordings, but can alert you of decibel spikes using a sleek receiver and mobile app.

Using a sound sensor allows you to eliminate the threat of guests holding raucous parties or otherwise disturbing your neighbors while maintaining guest privacy and avoiding any legal gray areas. This sensor can monitor noise, motion, temperature and humidity levels, in addition to having a built in security alarm.

5. Tilt sensors

Many Airbnb hosts run up against the legal intricacies of the Airbnb Host Guarantee, which does offer insurance, but doesn’t cover the theft of personal valuables like jewelry or collectables. Tilt sensors offered by security companies like Link Interactive can keep you posted whenever a surface with valuables on it is disturbed.

Keep in mind that most tilt sensors are made to supplement already existing home monitoring systems. The good news is that Link Interactive’s products can be installed by yourself, which means their home security systems are more customizable, while still offering professional monitoring. Professional monitoring can be helpful in an emergency like break-ins, but you'll need to pay a monthly monitoring fee. Our Link Interactive review has more details.

Being an Airbnb host doesn’t have to be a risky proposition. With the help of any number of readily available and affordable gadgets, you can feel safer and more secure while you’re making a little extra cash from your rental investment.