25 Percent of Travelers Have Found a Camera in Their Vacation Rental

If the first thing you do when you arrive in a vacation rental is sweep the property for a hidden camera, you’re not alone. A study from investment company IPX1031 surveyed 1,000 Americans about vacation rental experiences and found that 34 percent of travelers search a vacation rental for cameras—and shockingly, 25 percent find one. 

Of those who found a camera, 20 percent discovered one on the exterior of the property, and 5 percent located one inside the rental.

Surprisingly, only one in ten travelers who found a camera unplugged or covered it for the remainder of their stay. 

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Are Cameras Allowed in Vacation Rentals?

Finding a camera in a vacation rental may feel like an invasion of privacy, but some types of cameras are permitted by most vacation rental companies.

For example, Airbnb allows “disclosed devices monitoring only public spaces and common spaces,” but forbids hidden cameras and cameras in private spaces (sleeping areas and bathrooms). 

VRBO has a stricter policy and does not allow any cameras inside properties. The exception to this policy: smart devices that cannot be activated remotely. Guests must be informed of the cameras and given the option to deactivate them. 

VRBO does allow cameras outside of properties as long as they are disclosed in the property description page with the location and coverage of the devices clearly noted. 

Since cameras should always be disclosed in vacation rental listings, be sure to carefully read through a post before booking, so you know where you might find a camera if you want to cover or deactivate it.
Concerned about hidden cameras in vacation rentals that aren’t disclosed in the listing? Read our story on how to find secret cameras in vacation properties.