But most people don’t mention ring cameras. And I would very interested to hear the reasons why someone would object. Someone is leaving a multi million dollar home, their belongings, their beloved pets in the hands of someone they don’t know, that has been vetted by some online busniness, and has some reviews. Why wouldn’t they want to check. I would think the HO to be irresponsible not to check.
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I just don’t want to be watched by Big Brother, I don’t want to be eavesdropped on.
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You’re confusing the issues:
- I didn’t argue that Hosts should or shouldn’t want to have an outside camera. I specifically said I saw why they might.
- I and others have listed multiple reasons a sitter may not want to sit a house that has one.
- The assertion is simply that they should be disclosed in the listing & welcome guide, so everyone gets what they want without wasting anyone’s time & effort.
I’ve yet to see a cogent reason on why a Host wouldn’t or shouldn’t do that…but if you have one, please feel free to suggest it; perhaps I’m missing something?
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In many countries where THS operates, it is illegal to film someone unless you notify them that you are doing that .
A sitter can refuse to sit if they arrive to find previously undisclosed cameras .
It is in the hosts best interests to disclose any outdoor cameras upfront in the listing ( as required in the THS terms of service ) . Otherwise they risk being left without a sitter at the last minute.
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If someone is concerned, then it doesn’t mean they have something to hide.
I do not care if they monitor my comings and goings and have nothing to hide.
So you wouldn’t have a problem with providing them access to all your social media accounts, this forum account, let them go through your luggage when you arrive or listen in on any phone calls you make while there. or for that matter have internal cameras? After all, nothing to hide, nothing to fear.
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I am so sorry to hear what you went through. I am also sorry about all the meaningless and irrelevant replies to your situation.
I don’t know if you’ve submitted your review yet, but if not, just ask yourself, would you feel comfortable recommending this person to your friends? If not, don’t boost/maintain this person’s, I’m assuming, 5-star rating.
I am a sitter who has had pets my whole life. I understand how incredibly important it is to feel secure with your sitter and not be anxious or fearful while away. When I sit, I always put the needs of the animals first and make sure to communicate regularly so the HO doesn’t stress and worry.
Being out late, not being clean, the gate unlocked…issues that may not warrant less than 5-stars, but causing you to be anxious and not providing necessary communication and updates, definitely deduct stars. Don’t let another HO get blinded by this person.
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I think what follows from
most people don’t mention ring cameras
Is: why don’t they?
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because it has been somewhat standard with porch pirates
Internal cameras, which I have encountered, get me coming out of the shower. Outdoor cameras do not. And what does an outdoor camera that sees me coming and going with the dog(s) have to do with my social media? And if they want to see that, I don’t care. There isn’t much there. And this forum? They will see I advocate for 4 walks a day for dogs. So no, I don’t have any problem since I have nothing to hide. I am there to take care of their home and pets. And this is getting a bit ridiculous, what does outdoor cameras have to do with my Facebook account?
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Then THS should make it part of the listing. If it illegal in some countries not to disclose.
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They did. It’s part of both the Terms and Conditions and a discrete Camera and Recording Devices policy.
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Then people know when they apply if there are outdoor cameras, correct?
“Cameras in Use” or some-such is not a field in the HO’s listing, afaik, but that wouldn’t be a bad idea — other than some people who don’t read the ToS throughly and who might imagine it’s tacit permission to utilize indoor cameras, which is a no-no.
Alternatively a Host could manually list them under their home details on the listing, and in the Security field on the Welcome Guide. Easy-peasy, everybody then knows the score & can proceed accordingly.
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