Air B&B with “Motion Detector” ring camera above a full length mirror. $500 for tampering with or unplugging it… good thing I have post-it notes

[u/briarpatch_]

[u/macrophyte]

I think you can report this, my father-in-law said cameras weren't allowed in his Airbnb. This seems crazy.

[u/Cupid26 → u/macrophyte]

I’ve reported a camera inside an Airbnb we once stayed at. Airbnb banned them & refunded us our stay.

[u/ghostfreckle611 → u/Cupid26]

Instructions clear. Bring a Ring camera and hang it on wall. Take a picture with it and complain to AirBNB after stay.

Refund = Free stay everywhere.

[u/Darth-Taytor → u/macrophyte]

Cameras are only allowed indoors if they are in a public/shared area. So it must be an area shared with you and the host or another guest. Otherwise they're not allowed.

[u/petseminary → u/Darth-Taytor]

And they have to be disclosed to you in the property description.

[u/Trick_Tracy1125 → u/petseminary]

I'd report it to air b&b, the police, and post a scathing review mentioning the camera many times in all caps. They are up to some shady shit most likely

[u/petseminary → u/Trick_Tracy1125]

I learned from a bedbug experience that if you report a serious issue to AirBnB, you can't leave a review. Let that sink in.

[u/Trick_Tracy1125 → u/petseminary]

Post first then report?

[u/petseminary → u/Trick_Tracy1125]

They still let you submit a review, but they silently don't display it on the listing if there was an issue that AirBnB had to get involved in resolving. I doubt your idea would work.

[u/ItsNellie_ → u/petseminary]

Hm, I reported a situation where I really thought my friend and myself were in danger and the review was published with no issues (five years ago, idk if it changed). A month later his profile didn’t exist anymore, I don’t know if he removed it or was banned.

[u/lorissaurus → u/ItsNellie_]

You were prolly just blocked from seeing them. And then ur review was removed lol.

[u/my1stone → u/lorissaurus]

So easy to verify this by looking at the profile while not signed in

[u/RedDeadDemonGirl → u/lorissaurus]

Air B&B will 👻 GHOST guests that complain too much. They will never tell you why you never get service again. They literally put a ghost on the profile to identify these guests and the service agent has to dance around and politely get them off the phone without helping them.

[u/farteagle → u/petseminary]

In general, the host cannot rent their space while the complaint is under review - if it is considered a serious safety issue.

[u/Barbosse007 → u/petseminary]

Considering Air nB let people die in a fire over here, I am not surprised.

[u/triptharip → u/Barbosse007]

Apartment above me is used as an airbnb. Three years ago a bullet came through our ceiling during a party the renters were hosting, armed police stormed and cleared the 12 unit building at 4 am. It’s still being used as an Airbnb to this day.

[u/wastedpixls → u/Barbosse007]

Airbnb let an owner that had a property used for a party that ended in a shooting continue operate and list the same property - even after another pair of incidents that involved police being called (egging a neighbor and bb guns getting discharged).

Airbnb doesn't give a single fuck about the neighborhood or even those renting as long as they get paid....

Fucking property pimps - that's what they are. Try not paying them and see how they react - it'll tell you all you need to know.

[u/optix_clear → u/Trick_Tracy1125]

I agree but look for his place on VRBO or wherever it is and post your reviews their as well.

[u/cowboybluebird → u/optix_clear]

The system won’t let you post a review if you haven’t stayed there.

[u/pullacatengo → u/petseminary]

Yup I reported bedbugs and actual filth and when I tried to write a review it automatically took it down because it was "unrelated" to the stay

[u/incongruity → u/pullacatengo]

Airbnb may be the best thing to happen to hotels in a while… 9/10 of the times I’ve looked at Airbnb’s, they convinced me to get a hotel instead. These stories just confirm all of that thinking.

[u/Hashtag_buttstuff → u/incongruity]

Yup. Airbnb was a really cool idea when it started and I used it a lot back then. Now I don't even bother looking. I'll just get the hotel, cheaper in a lot of cases, no crazy hosts demands, no cleaning fee, and nothing like this post going on.

[u/Vark675 → u/incongruity]

There's a million reasons to not use AirBnB if there's a hotel within 15 miles of whatever you're doing. I'm always genuinely annoyed when I see posts like this.

The hosts are often sketchy and always actively ruining the local housing market for actual residents, the service itself is borderline scamming people with outrageous Ticketmaster style pricing, and yet people still keep using it then being shocked when it turns out it was overpriced and shitty.

[u/Life-Ambition-539 → u/Vark675]

It seriously is annoying. Total silicon valley tech messiah money grab middleman scheme.

Ruins vacation areas. Eff airbnb. And Uber and Lyft.

[u/shaggy-the-screamer → u/Vark675]

It's only good for large groups were the cost could be split.

[u/kithlan → u/incongruity]

Airbnb has honestly made me appreciate the ease and convenience of hotels so much more. None of the chores, none of the worry of cleanup, none of the worry of sketchy owners, none of the endless rules and chores, don't have to worry about you being shadowbanned for complaining, etc. etc.

[u/zerothreeonethree → u/incongruity]

Airbnb is right up there with "the worst things that have happened in the world to date". Finally got code enforcement after the one next door to me.

[u/WanderlustOnTap → u/petseminary]

I arrived at an AirBnB in Austin last year. The owner was there. Wouldn't let me in, and came out with a gun. AirBnB took down my review.

[u/Big-a-hole-2112 → u/WanderlustOnTap]

That’s called a texas welcome.

[u/RubberReptile → u/petseminary]

We left a bad review of a place that was, frankly, very poorly set up. And then the airbnb host went around and trashed the place and tried to claim thousands in damages.

Fuck AirBNB lol

[u/P1xelHunter78 → u/RubberReptile]

Take pictures of condition in and condition out.

[u/IceNein → u/P1xelHunter78]

If you feel the need to do this, then that's probably a good sign that AirBnB is not worth using.

[u/WhittlingDan → u/IceNein]

You should do that with a lot of things like rental cars and rented apartments. Most scumbags don't look like scumbags.

[u/Iverson7x → u/WhittlingDan]

C. Y. A.

[u/PhilxBefore → u/P1xelHunter78]

Been doing this with rental cars since smartphones started taking good pictures.

[u/Ok-Satisfaction-7821 → u/petseminary]

So DON'T report it to air b&b. Report it to police. Ask them to come by. Report on Facebook, etc etc. But not air b&b/

[u/petseminary → u/Ok-Satisfaction-7821]

This would probably be best. But you'll probably want to report to AirBnB to get a refund. Not a full refund of course.

[u/Admirable-Ad-1911 → u/petseminary]

Yeah you can’t post reviews for bed bug cases, it’s “considered fair” for all parties that way because Airbnb also makes it a pain in the ass for a host to deal with bedbugs, I used to work for them a few years ago.

Depending on how the listing is set up, the guest here might actually get in trouble with Airbnb if the host has it explicitly stated that he has cameras in public spaces and not to tamper with them. They’ll have a good laugh around the office about enforcing that $500 fine, but they can also end reservations early for “personality conflicts” if the host doesn’t like it and the rules say not to.

[u/1920MCMLibrarian → u/petseminary]

Same. My experience was with a home with backed up sewage bubbling up in the back yard. I was sick for weeks.

I learned the hard way. The owners can pay to have it removed, but you can’t remove their retaliatory response.

[u/poncajack → u/petseminary]

I learned this as well with a scabies issue in Paris. Insane!!

[u/heddalettis → u/poncajack]

Ewwwwwww! That’s really nasty! 😷

[u/spooksseycat → u/petseminary]

Start an airbnb rating sub?? Might already be one, but people need to be aware and airbnb is a big ol shit

[u/zeropointcorp → u/petseminary]

The fact that he’s aware there’s a $500 charge for interfering with the camera would suggest its existence was disclosed to him.

[u/Dr_Mickael → u/zeropointcorp]

I've been in Airbnb where that kind of BS was disclosed on a 'house rules' book that's only handed to you when you step inside.

[u/AirlineF0od → u/petseminary]

Which in some instances for some properties I could totally understand. There used to be airbnbs where you would just rent a bedroom for the night and the family was basically still occupying the house the whole time. But if I was renting a whole house and there was cameras in the main living areas that would be a no-go for me.

[u/[deleted] → u/Darth-Taytor]

Bro.. If I rent out an entire house, then that whole place is now private. Why the fuck should anyone see anything I'm doing in a place I paid to rent? The only public area then becomes anything outside.

[u/parieres → u/[deleted]]

Right, if you rent an entire house then it’s not a shared space by this definition

[u/OkayRuin → u/[deleted]]

AirBnB owners aggressively competing to be the worst alternative to a hotel.

[u/DisappearHereXx → u/[deleted]]

It’s so sad. I loved Airbnb for the experience of being in a house/apartment in a new place. I felt like i was getting a more authentic experience than the same hotel concept over and over. When I went to Europe a few years back, we did strictly Airbnb and hostels. Greatest experience ever! I loved looking at the art people picked out and put on their own walls, what kind of trinkets they had and book collections. It was like living as someone else for a few days. It’s gotten so far from that and it’s not just people who go on long vacations and rent out their space anymore.

[u/AmazingGrace911 → u/macrophyte]

Tape a picture of a gaping asshole to it.

[u/Big-a-hole-2112 → u/AmazingGrace911]

I’d rather show mine up close and ask if that’s a polyp or corn?

[u/Careless_Brick1560 → u/Big-a-hole-2112]

Your username with your comment has me in tears 😭 lmao

[u/MachoManatee → u/Big-a-hole-2112]

I think you might be just the kind of guest they’re looking for.

[u/Big-a-hole-2112 → u/MachoManatee]

A couple of nights staying there and they’ll be the ones disabling the camera. Of course they’ll accuse me of having a naked shaved bear in their house.

[u/lorissaurus → u/Big-a-hole-2112]

That's still what they wanted lolol,

[u/mevooks → u/macrophyte]

I canceled a trip to an airbnb after the only previous review commented about the owner using the cctv to spy on them and calling the up at 10pm at night to ask what are they doing . Air bnb did not care and thought it acceptable behaviour.

[u/VirtualLife76 → u/mevooks]

Reported 1 with a camera, bnb did nothing. Host even shut off internet when I reported.

[u/ExpressShow1175 → u/macrophyte]

What makes you think that this is the only one...

[u/bkpkmnky → u/macrophyte]

Surveillance is illegal in all rentals. It's also against Airbnb's policies!

[u/pablo_pick_ass_ohhh → u/bkpkmnky]

Frankly, this is why you should get a hotel room.

Same price, better regulated, and you can sleep at night without worrying about this kind of thing.

[u/MrSquiggleKey → u/pablo_pick_ass_ohhh]

in Australia a lot of the time the hotel option is cheaper now. i can get a 2 bedroom fully equipped apartment in a hotel in Melbourne for a weekend for less price than a studio airBnB in the same area.

I feel like airBnB is resting on its laurels already.
I went to a popular tourist town in April during a surf comp, and got a two bedroom apartment for $140 a night, airbnb equivalent was $250 a night on the same street.

[u/fredbrightfrog → u/MrSquiggleKey]

They tack on so much cleaning fees now, while expecting you to also clean. At this point, it's both cheaper and easier to go to a hotel with housekeeping and not worry about it. Only exception is traveling with a group and getting a whole house.

[u/KarmaliteNone]

An owner putting a camera in a rental unit is completely illegal where I live. I'm surprised it is legal anywhere. Total invasion of privacy especially if minors are in that unit.

[u/[deleted] → u/KarmaliteNone]

It's likely NOT legal there, but they get away with it out of the intimidation of charging fees. A lot of people would do when this guy did and just cover it and not report it. (This guy could have, not sure).

Also, I wouldn't be surprised if that was a 2 way mirror with another camera behind it. Kind of odd to have a mirror like that in the living room as opposed to a bedroom.

[u/briarpatch_ → u/[deleted]]

I plan on reporting for sure. This is a mirror from like target I don’t think the owner is clever enough to finagle such a contraption. I did double check though! Thanks for the tip

[u/Car-Facts → u/briarpatch_]

Are you or do you have any kids with you in the unit. Say that you are pretty sure your kid ran out into the main room naked and now you are pretty sure the owner is in possession of cheese pizza because you didn't know the camera was there at first.

[u/Cosmohumanist → u/Car-Facts]

This is brilliant

[u/[deleted] → u/briarpatch_]

Did they charge you the the fee for "tampering" over that post it note? 🤣

[u/just_a_stoner_bitch → u/[deleted]]

I was thinking about this as well. I feel like a real a-hole would

[u/[deleted] → u/just_a_stoner_bitch]

Well, clearly the owner is a real asshole. They've proven it with their illegal camera (likely cameras op didn't find) and intimidation tactics to get away with it.

[u/Reality_Choice → u/briarpatch_]

Please tell me you moved the mirror too.

[u/MykelJMoney → u/briarpatch_]

I’ve heard you can use your camera in a dark room to potentially detect hidden cameras. Cameras can be disguised as anything: smoke detectors, power adapters, usb hubs, almost anything.

Here’s anarticle about it.

[u/myco_magic → u/[deleted]]

Just because someone puts a sighn up doesn't mean they can legally just charge you.... good luck telling that to my bank they'd just laugh at you

[u/[deleted] → u/myco_magic]

You're right, but that threat alone is enough to deter most people from trying anything with that camera. It's illegal to do, so the bank would absolutely be on his side when disputing any charges like that. People like that owner are just assholes.

[u/lorarc → u/[deleted]]

The bit about 2 way mirror is just scare mongering. If they were smart enough to do such things they'd just use a camera that's less obvious and not spend who knows how much on preparing a two-way mirror.

[u/A_Trash_Homosapien → u/KarmaliteNone]

Tell your kid to run around the place naked

Call the cops and report the rental owner for having child porn

Profit

[u/boringdude00 → u/KarmaliteNone]

If this was a hotel, OP would be (rightfully) losing his mind. But, nah, it's AirBNB where you literally show up expecting everything to be shit. I don't understand how AirBNB is still in business, it's awful.

[u/knotshure → u/boringdude00]

Same here. It's a great idea on paper but it's just such a fucking crapshoot.

[u/Windows_XP_Memelord]

They probably count obstructing it as tampering.

[u/ChrisRunsTheWorld → u/Windows_XP_Memelord]

If it's not explicitly said in the rental description, I'm putting that in the bathtub. If it was disclosed, I'm covering it like OP did. Either way, I'm reporting it.

[u/robinthekid → u/ChrisRunsTheWorld]

I think they’d love to have it in the bathtub

[u/ChrisRunsTheWorld → u/robinthekid]

I didn't say I was unplugging it!

[u/ZarquonsFlatTire → u/ChrisRunsTheWorld]

Oh I am a 41 year old man and I'm giving it as much hairy butthole twerking as close to that lense as I can.

You asked for the storm? Reap the whirlwind motherfucker.

I may not be particularly coordinated but I will try to whirl this butthole.

Not really sure how exactly one goes about that so the camera is going to see a few failed attempts.

Edit: I can just see his email to AirB&B. "He whirled his butthole at my camera! Took him a while to get it right too. He fell down about 5 times 'cause he was pretty enthusiastic about it. I think he hurt his knee on the 3rd try."

[u/DontBeAJerkYaJerk → u/ZarquonsFlatTire]

Dawg, that’s a visual

[u/[deleted] → u/DontBeAJerkYaJerk]

It was words but I saw it in my mind like I was there.

[u/RyvenZ → u/DontBeAJerkYaJerk]

The chuckling came in waves as I read that comment. That man is an artist.

[u/Engineer_This → u/ZarquonsFlatTire]

Read this in Brent Chrysler’s voice

[u/lorissaurus → u/ChrisRunsTheWorld]

Op said it was $500 for tampering with it, Soo it was probably a blanket statement about any security devices on the property....

[u/done_with_the_woods → u/ChrisRunsTheWorld]

Orrr verify the camera model and check if it has batteries or not. If it does not, just go unplug the router/internet (even if it is in the shot, if they don't have that in the rules who cares). Wait a few seconds and then go unplug the camera. Turn wifi back on and then just reverse the process when you are about to leave.

Alternatively try to find the circuit breaker that the camera is on and flip it which should most definitely be out of the shot. If it doesn't have a saved video of you walking up to it and then the footage cutting then they can't argue it didn't just have a technical issue vs. you unplugging it.

Obviously you shouldn't have to do either of these but it is more about avoiding the charge from airbnb. They tend to side with the hosts a lot but if they can't produce evidence you should be able to stay there camera free while also avoiding the charge.

[u/XenoRyet → u/done_with_the_woods]

Realistically, I'd just fucking leave. If they have a creepy camera right out in the open, how confident are you that they don't have a bunch of hidden ones around?

[u/-FeistyRabbitSauce- → u/XenoRyet]

Seriously. Report it to Airbnb, contact your credit card and cancel any payments for good measure. Gtfo.

[u/SchuminWeb → u/-FeistyRabbitSauce-]

This. The trust is broken. I would not be able to stay there.

[u/myco_magic → u/Windows_XP_Memelord]

Just because someone puts a sighn up doesn't mean they can legally just charge you.... good luck telling that to my bank they'd just laugh at you

[u/smogop → u/myco_magic]

Bank ? I’m pretty sure Airbnb would be VERY interested about your experience.

[u/chuk2015 → u/Windows_XP_Memelord]

Lol who gives a fuck, unplug it, no way someone can enforce a $500 private fine for unplugging a fucking device

[u/primalphoenix → u/chuk2015]

Air BnB is shit from what I’ve heard, they’ll probably fight tooth and nail for it. Might as well go the whole 9 yards and blow it up with a microwave transformer

[u/nw342 → u/primalphoenix]

And even If you do manage to get the $500 fine dropped....your account will be banned!!!

[u/js5ohlx1 → u/nw342]

I've never used an air bnb, and after seeing some of this shit on here, I have no interest in using one.

[u/waitwheresmychalupa → u/[deleted]]

It used to be much better privacy-wise, and it’s gotten way more expensive in the last few years. Now that I can stay at a super nice hotel for less than an air bnb, it definitely doesn’t feel worth it anymore.

[u/[deleted] → u/waitwheresmychalupa]

It's also all the amenities that a hotel has. Spa, room service, restaurants, fitness facility, concierge, turn down, housekeeping, all that stuff. All for less.

Meanwhile you rent at an AirBnB and this is the stuff you have to deal with or worry about. Cameras recording you, possibly in the bathroom or bedroom hidden away, or all the labor you have to do. You get charged like a 150-200 dollar "cleaning fee" and are expected to still deep clean some person's house. It just isn't worth it.

It sucks cause they do have their uses if you travel with a family but personally I'll still use hotels.

[u/c4pt1n54n0 → u/primalphoenix]

"I don't know what could possibly have happened to your camera/all electronics in the neighborhood right as I coincidentally uh, plugged my suitcase into the wall to recharge..."

[u/Mackheath1 → u/primalphoenix]

I arrived to an AirBnB that didn't exist after full payment and I have yet to be paid. A lengthy go-between and the only thing they did was remove it from their site in the end. No refund, nothing.

[u/ChrisRunsTheWorld → u/Windows_XP_Memelord]

Also, tripping the breaker it's on wouldn't be unplugging it.

[u/smoke04]

Guys… I want to fill you in on a secret. Hotels are fucking great. No chores or texting some guy. No hidden cameras. You can bang all over the beds

[u/BoltgunOnHisHip → u/smoke04]

If you're passing through Nevada, casino hotels are dirt cheap, too. They expect you to gamble, but that's their problem. I'm just here for the $40/night hotel room that isn't full of bugs.

[u/SuperFLEB → u/BoltgunOnHisHip]

Huh. I thought the whole "Club cards let them target actual spenders", among other things, took the shine off casino perks and deals.

[u/BoltgunOnHisHip → u/SuperFLEB]

Nah man, Laughlin's still amazingly cheap, provided you don't mind not seeing another person under the age of 50 and a vague yet pervasive aura of depression and a feeling that you've time warped back to 1976.

There's a hotel there that still serves steak diane.

[u/SuperFLEB → u/BoltgunOnHisHip]

Well, hell, I've got my own aura of depression, I love a good time warp, and I suppose I don't have much problem with over-50s. I'll have to start looking at fares.

[u/Tom1252 → u/BoltgunOnHisHip]

Steak Diane, thank you for introducing me to that. That looks fucking amazing.

[u/alt_account_6 → u/BoltgunOnHisHip]

Good luck finding one for that price unless you have offers (i.e, you're a gambler) that isnt a shithole. I have stayed in many garbage casino hotels in Nevada so i have experience. Shout out to gsr and the sahara by the way

[u/soundboythriller → u/smoke04]

Literally don’t get why people still book airbnbs/vrbos when you see shit like this all the time. Not to mention all the bs fees.

[u/Gowalkyourdogmods → u/soundboythriller]

Air BNB made sense years ago and still works if you're renting a whole house or something. But with all the bullshit fees now I've just found it cheaper to grab a hotel if I only need a single room or such.

[u/CastIron_Bookworm → u/Gowalkyourdogmods]

They can be really cheap if they're renting out multiple rooms in a single house, kinda hostel style. Mine was half the price of any hotels around

[u/Goldenrah → u/CastIron_Bookworm]

Yeah, cheaper if you have lots of people to rent a house for a day or two. A lot more expensive if you are going alone or with just another person.

[u/bain_de_beurre → u/smoke04]

I always stay at a hotel, even if it's more expensive because I won't support something that robs local hard working folks from a decent place to live. I live in a city where people frequently vacation and the Airbnb's have taken over our rentals so there's nothing left for residents; the majority of rental properties are short term vacation rentals. A tiny studio apartment in my city has been inflated to $2000 a month because there are just no long term rentals available anymore.

Airbnb is a goddamn cancer when left unchecked. My city is slowly starting to impose regulations around vacation rentals but it's too little too late and too many places are just "grandfathered" in. If you want to actually live and work here, you're fucked.

[u/Industrialpainter89 → u/smoke04]

Yeah I don't know how people are still comfortable paying way more for a space than a hotel that they are still responsible for cleaning and paying a cleaning fee.

[u/bdiddy_ → u/Industrialpainter89]

some places legit don't have hotels.. Especially spots that are like on rivers and lakes and cooler areas.

It sucks because all these investors bought up a lot of condos and stuff that use to be handled like hotels and made them bnbs.

[u/ben-jpeg]

is having the camera in the room legal??

[u/keliix06 → u/ben-jpeg]

Only if this room is part of a shared area between OP and people who are part of a separate party and renting, or the owners. If OP has rented this as part of their private accommodations it is almost certainly not legal.

Hotels can have cameras in lobbies and hallways. They cannot have them in guest rooms. Same rules apply here.

[u/AlligatorTree22 → u/keliix06]

They still can't record audio unless the person recording is part of the conversation in a one party consent state. They can't record audio in a two party consent state unless both parties know about the recording.

This is an illegal recording device no matter where it is in the ABNB.

[u/Curious-Welder-6304]

It could still be recording audio

[u/hell0000nurs3 → u/Curious-Welder-6304]

Definitely if it’s a ring camera there is audio

[u/AlligatorTree22 → u/Curious-Welder-6304]

This is what everyone seems to be missing in this thread. It's recording audio and video. I don't think that's legal in any US states (quick google did me no good). If you're in a one or two party consent state, this is an illegal recording device based on it recording audio.

People keep talking about ABNB terms of service and "common areas" and that simply doesn't matter in this case because of the audio recording alone.

[u/Unkle_Argyle → u/AlligatorTree22]

You’re not wrong. When my wife and I were looking for homes, we had one showing and our realtor told us they have cameras in the house. According to him, legally they were not supposed to be on or recording because we did not actually agree to being recorded and they did not have permission to record. He still advised us to “watch what we say” because chances are we were being watched. Unfortunately in that situation there wasn’t much to do about it.

[u/Klumaverik]

That's the fake one to lull you into a sense of comfort.

[u/Dr_Banana_Hammock → u/Klumaverik]

The real camera is in a hollowed-out mallard on Jim’s desk.

[u/semper-noctem → u/Dr_Banana_Hammock]

And in his pen.

[u/LivingDisastrous3603 → u/semper-noctem]

[u/Dino_Spaceman → u/Klumaverik]

Yup. Where there is one blatant like that, almost certainly there is a nanny cam or two elsewhere.

[u/piefanart]

report it to airbnb as well as your bank. odds are airbnb wont do anything about it but your bank will.

[u/n00dl3s54 → u/piefanart]

Just what can or will a bank do??

[u/allthingsvw → u/n00dl3s54]

If it's a credit card, they'll charge back. Some banks will as well.

[u/ihahp → u/allthingsvw]

Just be aware that AirB&B, or anyone you do a chargeback with, is allowed to never let you use that service again. I don't know what AirB&B's policy is on chargebacks, but it's possible you'll never be able to rent through it again if you issue a chargeback.

[u/SpiderTechnitian → u/ihahp]

Google will straight up nuke your account if you charge something back. Your photos your Gmail account with all of your emails and your signins to everything. They will literally nuke all of it if you charge back something from the Google store.

I think it's worth mentioning as an example

[u/ohrofl → u/SpiderTechnitian]

Weird, I remember charging back some app last year and nothing happened to my google account.

[u/SpiderTechnitian → u/ohrofl]

Google store is their hardware store, Google Nest and Pixel phones etc. Several hundred dollar chargebacks that go directly to them. Not a few dollars in an app subscription where they only get a 30% cut

[u/droomph → u/ihahp]

Also there’s a chance you’ll get denied the chargeback by your issuer/whatever if you don’t show proof of AirB&B ghosting you first, or otherwise refusing to make it right (like offering a $2 credit for something that’s clearly worth $100 in damages). It really depends but do you really want to take that chance.

[u/2_trailerparkgirls → u/n00dl3s54]

Cancel payment, charge back, dispute and refund. The bank can be your friend

[u/InnumerableKalpas]

I'd be helicoptering incessantly, fully nude, right in front of the mirror.

[u/Invader_Mars → u/InnumerableKalpas]

That’s what they want

[u/[deleted] → u/Invader_Mars]

In this case I give the people what they thought they wanted. Careful what you wish for.

[u/Stakbrok → u/[deleted]]

Just know that you're also giving 120,000,000 other people what they want. 🤷‍♂️

[u/hotchemistryteacher → u/InnumerableKalpas]

And the owner would just be fapping away

[u/devonthed00d → u/hotchemistryteacher]

I’d fap to him fapping while watching me fap. Fap-ception

[u/Intelligent_Block_95 → u/InnumerableKalpas]

Give ‘em a full spread too for good measure

[u/autocorrectfool → u/Intelligent_Block_95]

The old Chocolate Starfish

[u/SweetAndSourShmegma → u/autocorrectfool]

Or as it's otherwise known, the ol' Patrick in the pooper.

[u/flyingj59901 → u/InnumerableKalpas]

Time for a glass bottom boat ride!

[u/Adrianhasarrived]

Honestly, hotels just seem better nowadays

[u/ModStrangler4 → u/Adrianhasarrived]

Safer too! You don’t have to worry about a previous renter coming in at night using a set of keys he duplicated and raping you, which has literally happened in AirBnBs before!

[u/ConstantlyAngry177 → u/Adrianhasarrived]

Airbnb is responsible for the housing crisis we find ourselves in. Real estate companies pushing out local tenants in favor of tourists. Stop supporting Airbnb.

[u/Mylaptopisburningme → u/ConstantlyAngry177]

And in my area I have million dollar empty homes. They bought them as investments, for family or if they come on vacation. I have 3 homes on my block empty for 3+ years. I never see anyone. Chinese owned.

[u/ARM_vs_CORE → u/Adrianhasarrived]

It's literally cheaper in most cases and you get dedicated cleaning staff so you don't have to clean yourself. It's ridiculous people keep trying to use Air BnB

[u/ShowMeTheTrees]

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/3061

Community policy

Use of cameras and recording devices

To help provide Hosts and guests with peace of mind, security measures like security cameras and noise monitoring devices are allowed, 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 we do 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 we don’t 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.

We're here to help

If you or someone else feels threatened or unsafe, please first contact local law enforcement authorities for assistance. Additionally, if you witness or experience behavior that goes against our policies, please let us know.

EDIT thank you for the starry award!

[u/briarpatch_ → u/ShowMeTheTrees]

Yes this is literally a PRIVATE SPACE this is not a common place shared with other guests. This is a 1br 1ba yalll. Lmao

[u/antikotah]

Can you turn the mirror around and prop it up on a chair or something? It can look at itself and you arent tampering.

But still report it.

[u/KwamesCorner]

I’ll never stay in Airbnb’s again. I’ve had similar experiences as well as extortion from hosts who claimed I committed thousands in dollars of damages that were completely made up. Months of back and forth emails with Airbnb for a week long stay. No thanks.

[u/dragonrider1965]

Stop using Airbnb , use a hotel . Enjoy the maid service and not worrying about creepy hosts

[u/80worf80 → u/dragonrider1965]

Or bedbugs. Major hotels will shut down the entire floor if there is a sighting. Air bnb owners? Not so much...

[u/[deleted] → u/dragonrider1965]

[removed] — view removed comment

[u/dsmithpl12 → u/[deleted]]

It's actually not really that crazy. AirBnB, and uber both have the same problem. There was an entire economy and industry built around providing a service (providing a room for travelers, and local travel). Some 'investor' came along and said: "you know what, I wonder if there is a way I could inject myself into the middle of that and get paid just to match people?" Then they sank literally billions of dollars to build the gig economy and ran it at a massive loss to ensure it would be cheap. Because who the hell would pay hotel rates to stay at a strangers house?? Who in their right mind is going to get into some strangers car and trust that they won't get raped?? Cheap people that's who. Now they are trying to turn a profit and the cost of everything is sky rocketing back to where they should be for providing those services.

[u/winqu → u/dsmithpl12]

There was a precursor to Airbnb and that was Couch Surfing. It grew a community of strangers inviting strangers into their home offering a more local experience. You'd sleep on their couch/spare bed if they had one. Of course you'd be offered all their amenities. It was also an offer for those who weren't just looking for package/beach holidays but, more of an "authentic" local experience. The idea that you could really experience what it's like living in another country. It was the travelling backpackers dream in 1 website. Cheap place to sleep, do laundry, meet/hang out with locals etc.

Airbnb was similar to this at the start. It had people just renting out an extra room. I got to meet some cool people swapping stories. Then this group splintered as not everyone both (host/renter) sides didn't really want much contact. Which is fine but this group of no contact hosts set a certain expections that basically drove away people who just wanted to rent a spare room and meet new people away from airbnb. I stayed with a host a few times and started to become friends with them over 3 trips. On the 4th trip was looking forward to staying with them again to see they had removed their home off the platform. I sent them a message on FB about it. They told me how they had a few nightmare experiences and didn't want to deal with people who were treating them like a hotel. I was sad by that but it was cool to be able to have dinner with them again when I did visit the area.

This no contact group then split further into people who'd rent out whole apartments/holiday homes. That's when the cottage industry formed around airbnb. People learned they could make more than being a landlord. x10 to x100 times the monthly rent of the area with no downside of being a landlord. Airbnb will back you up because they need to keep your property on the app. There's even a cottage industry of management companies for airbnb hosts. They take % of earnings and handle bookings, cleanings and advertising. They'll promise hosts $xx,xxx garunteed yearly income and all they hand over their keys to the office.

[u/Saroffski → u/dsmithpl12]

This is exactly it. And now they are doing that to mental health too, all these companies like “Better Help” Headway, Alma those are all corporations trying to make a profit and be the middle man and then spike up the price later

[u/smogop → u/dragonrider1965]

Yeah, pretty much starting to do this as Airbnb costs are out of control.

[u/adamfps → u/smogop]

Advertised $130/night

Fees added brings it it $230/night

I have to clean the place, run the dishes, run the laundry, and take out the garbage.

Sorry, where did that $50 cleaning and other room fees exactly go? I’m back to hotels and never looking back

[u/CrystalSplice → u/dragonrider1965]

Also, enjoy fucking the people who bought up the housing inventory with the intent of renting it out. Perhaps they shouldn't have been so careless with their investments.

[u/cooperpoopers]

10$ there at least one more hidden camera in that room.

[u/cherrylpk → u/cooperpoopers]

Probably opposite the mirror so they can get a full view. Creepy. Check the mirrors for being double-sided as well.

[u/MadBliss → u/cherrylpk]

Would be hilarious if the full length mirror was double sided and the owner is crouched down behind it. You just move it slightly and he's there with his hand in his pants. 😂😂😂😂

[u/Financial-Pie2221]

Call me crazy, but don’t use Air B&B’s. From the fact people buy up houses for the single purpose of using it as an unregulated hotel, to the ridiculous cleaning fees, to the fact paranoid owners fill the property with enough cameras, motion sensors and microphones to make any sting operation jealous. Just don’t use them.

[u/NerdFarming]

There was a period when I preferred an AirB&B to a hotel but that window closed a while ago.

[u/FurryThug]

Fuck airBnB. Full stop.

[u/IonicGrandeur]

He’s a ten, but he bites his fingernails

[u/briarpatch_ → u/IonicGrandeur]

Omg stoppppp reading me I’m so insecure

[u/crackeddryice]

I just stay in hotels. I've seen too many posts on Reddit about this sort of creepy shit.

Also, I expect that the owners of these properties are not insured nearly as well as they should be, so they're paranoid the guests will wreck the place and they'll have to pay out of pocket to repair it.

[u/-Terrible-Extreme-]

Cameras are only allowed in communal public spaces within the residence. They cannot be in private areas such as bathrooms or bedrooms.

You can absolutely report this with supporting evidence (photos or videos) and they will act accordingly.

Don't let that shit slip, report this immediately

[u/D1rtyL4rry]

Protip: turn the lights off, put your phone camera in selfie mode and scan the house for infrared signals. This will detect hidden cameras relatively reliably.

If you’re skeptical, test it out with your TV remote by holding down a button and you’ll see the infrared show up on the selfie camera

[u/Tapurisu → u/D1rtyL4rry]

Only works if the camera has infrared lights for night vision. If it's a daytime camera you won't see it

[u/Knotimpressed → u/D1rtyL4rry]

This is kinda bad advice since indoor cameras (esp. hidden ones) don't have IR lights; if you put a paper towel/toilet paper tube up to your eye (look through it) and then sine your phone flashlight right next to the tube, the light will reflect off of shiny surfaces, like camera lenses. There'll be false positives, but if there any any hidden cameras you'll have a much much better chance of finding them.

If that description was confusing just look up "how to find hidden cameras toilet paper tube" and the videos should make it pretty clear.

I hope reporting it goes well!

[u/watermooses → u/Knotimpressed]

Yeah or just wear a headlight. When camping you can see all the spiders every fucking where at night cause their eyes reflect the light right back at your eyes. They just look like little dew drops but if you walk up to it and investigate it’s always a spider.

[u/cpip122803 → u/watermooses]

I had no idea how many spiders there were in the grass until I started using a headlamp on evening walks!! They are everywhere!

[u/TactualTransAm → u/D1rtyL4rry]

I've never heard of this, thank you for the advice

[u/Silve96]

I got 3 nights paid at a Radisson hotel worth 500usd when I've reported something similar in my 20usd/night Airbnb

[u/ClassiFried86]

As a security/cam dude, don't stay anywhere this exists.... I've never put a cam in someone's home in living spaces, and I've got 20 years in.

Commercial, they're everywhere (but the bathrooms)

Air B&B? They're everywhere (and also the bathrooms)... Gross.

[u/TheSundaeSlide]

Quit using Airbnb, folks. It's that simple. Overpriced bullshit anyway.

[u/kurt667]

Looks like there’s maybe another camera right behind you on the wall there……?!? The white box thing next to the wood signs…

[u/CheesyParadise]

"Airbnb prohibits security cameras or recording devices that are in or that observe private spaces like bedrooms, bathrooms, or sleeping areas. You must indicate the presence of all security cameras or other recording devices in or around a listing, even if they're not turned on or hooked up."

www.airbnb.com/help/article/2914

I think they would love it if you reported the property owner to them :)

[u/suzuka_joe]

This is why I refuse to use air bnb

[u/spasticseer]

I'm proud to say I've never used Airbnb, and I will never use them. They swallow up housing that people could be living in and contribute nothing. Sorry, but I don't feel sorry for anyone who uses their service. If they don't care about the community, why would they care about you?

[u/sailor_rose → u/spasticseer]

Fuck Airbnb I'll never use one again. 100$ a night but then 250$ cleaning fee oh and you have to empty all the trashes then replace the bags, put all the blankets and sheets in the wash, vacuum, sweep, scrub the walls, and apply a new coat of paint.

[u/Apprehensive_Size484]

Technically putting post-it notes over the lens is tampering with it. Let the AirBnB know what that host is doing, and also make sure to mention it, along with posting a picture of it, in your review.

[u/motion_lotion → u/Apprehensive_Size484]

So? Technically a note saying they're charging 500$ for tampering with their invasive camera is not some legally binding contract. Your bank will throw the charge out. AirBNB might, but the bank will for sure.

[u/yutfree]

I'm telling you, Airbnb wasn't a joke at one point. That was a long time ago.

[u/moistcoder]

That was just the decoy camera. There were others hidden.

[u/Careful-Task7332]

Cameras are only permitted in Public/Shared areas, the area must be shared with either the host or another guest(s). It is also important to note that the host must disclose any camera/surveillance equipment within the AirBnB on the respective listing.

If the host did not disclose this, please report it. It is in direct violation of ABnB terms of service.