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Indoor cameras and guest privacy: a host’s guide

For most hosts the safest answer is no camera inside the rental.

Rules come first

Many booking platforms restrict or ban indoor cameras, and privacy law in many countries protects guests inside their accommodation. Read the current rules of your platform and your local law before installing anything.

Safer alternatives

Door and window sensors, a smart lock activity log and a decibel monitor cover most host concerns without filming anyone. A visible outdoor camera or video doorbell can cover the entrance, if you disclose it.

If you are allowed a camera

Keep it out of sleeping areas and bathrooms, state it clearly in the listing, and switch it off during stays.

What Airbnb says

Airbnb announced in March 2024 that it bans indoor security cameras in listings worldwide, whether or not they are disclosed. Outdoor cameras and doorbell cameras are still allowed if you tell guests before they book where they are, and they must not film indoor spaces or places where guests expect more privacy. Hotel listings have an exception for some indoor common areas. Other platforms and countries have their own rules, so check them before installing anything.

What to use instead

For the inside, use a decibel-only noise monitor, door sensors and your lock’s activity log. For the entrance, see our guide to video doorbells.

This is general information, not legal advice. Policies change: read the current rules of your platform and your local law.