@biscuit Well I know the second owner just apologised profusely, saying they forgot to turn them off. But there were SEVEN little blocks plugged in all over the house (that looked a lot like Ring doorbell power sources). I turned them all off except the one I knew was for the outside camera.
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@BillyBonnieBenji That’s disturbing, what a nightmare! So much for being ‘Trusted’
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This needs to be really (even more) clear that internal security cameras are not permitted. Just having a tick box may well give the impression that it’s ok as long as they’ve ticked the box. Maybe the title says something like “all internal security cameras and recording devices are disabled”
Also, will this detail be shared on the listing? I am aware of other information (such as how long the pet can be left for) that the HO provides isn’t shared with sitters.
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I don’t even bother asking about cameras these days. We usually do a sweep of the property once we arrive and unplug any obvious devices (cameras, Alexas, Google Home etc) and scan wifi for any hidden ones. Just remember to plug what you’ve unplugged back in when you leave.
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We have it written in our profile that we do not sit at any property with indoor cameras. We were in a bedroom once and found a camera aimed at the bed. (Different house sitting company). We didn’t notice it until the second evening and it made me feel very sick and violated, and yes it was on.
We have over 50 5* reviews, are extremely trustworthy, and expect homeowners to be too.
If we turned up to a sit with inside cameras, overt or covert, it would be a deal breaker, and if we all demand the same, and for THS to make this a very clear matter to all, we would be protected.
Having cameras secretly filming or listening to you is completely violating the trust exchange that is what THS is supposed to be.
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That’s a good point.
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Good god. They didn’t even hide the fact they were perverts! Wow.
I might add it to my profile too. Although we shouldn’t need to should we?
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We shouldn’t have to for sure, but this way we make sure we are not invited to a house sit that abuses the TRUST based exchange.
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I wouldn’t leave a sit where this happened, because cameras can easily be covered up, even if you didn’t know how to deactivate them. It would have to be something a lot more severe than that to make me refuse to stay. After all, the pet still needs care. I always put these things down to experience. With every sit, I grow a little wiser. But so far, I have never walked out, or even cancelled a confirmed sit.
Thank you for posting the screenshot. As others have mentioned, however, I wonder if all members are disclosing that they have cameras. Here’s another scenario to consider, many homeowners now have outdoor living spaces that are basically an extension of the interior home and are getting away with cameras in these areas because they are technically “exterior”. I had a pet sit that had a full outdoor living area with a swimming pool, chairs/seating area, dining table and chairs, TV and cooking area. It was like an extension of their living room and they had cameras which weren’t disclosed to me. I ended up barely using the pool area at all or only at night when the cameras wouldn’t be able to clearly record. For me personally, a doorbell camera such as “Ring” is acceptable, because I understand you would want to know who’s approaching your home, but I think THS should take a more active role in protecting sitters’ privacy and requiring that homeowners disable all other cameras, regardless of the location.
All outdoor cameras have to be disclosed so even though they are allowed they still have to be on the listing. You can cancel a sit for this reason even when you arrive but obviously you’re still a bit stuffed and have nowhere to stay.
I agree that THS should have a stronger stance on external cameras. The excuse is always that they’re “for security” but that’s nonsense as that would rely on someone monitoring them 24/7 which is exactly what shouldn’t be happening when you have a sitter. An alarm system is for security not a camera.
I bought a hidden camera detector off Amazon. $35.
I bring it with me whenever I sit or use an AirBNB. I’ve been lucky in my sits - but when it has gone off, even though it was just the Alexa and I got concerned, I put my purse in front whatever I though might be a hidden camera.
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