I found that out when I arrived home. Sorry.
âYou didnât follow the code of conductââŚit wasnât intentional. I simply forgot. Iâm new-ish on the site. Please be kind. She had her own code for the door lock and we talked about the Ring doorbell (which actually had a dead battery so it wasnât working-either to ring OR to record). The exterior camera that was working was for the gate to the backyard. I didnât expect her to be using that as an entry or exit to the house. Anyway, you live and learn and Iâm updating the listing now.
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External cameras are allowed, and yes, the homeowners must disclose them and the locations of each.
Our external Ring cameras are disclosed in our public listing, our welcome guide, and during the video chat with any sitter we speak with. We are sitters, too, and understand this important issue.
So since they are permitted by Trusted Housesitters, and they are discussed during the video chat, there is NO reason they should be covered up by a sitter. They are there for security purposes. Although we do not monitor them while weâre away, the external cameras exist like any insurance policy all of us have: ignore it until you actually need it.
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Actually, in reviewing my listing, I DID disclose the external cameras. I just added it to the description as well, to avoid any confusion.
Itâs actually NOT an invasion of privacy. I went back to the listing and I DID disclose the external cameras. Also, you might want to read up on privacy law. Thereâs no âreasonable expectation of privacyâ on a street or driveway - public place.
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Thank you! Exactly my point. External cameras provide security for me AND for the sitter. What if someone had approached the house at the gate and saw the camera covered up? They see an easy target for theft or a break-in. And I already corrected myself â they were disclosed in the listing AND I mentioned them when she arrived. SOâŚanyway, you live and learn. The sit itself was great.
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It all depends on the jurisdiction.
In my country (Sweden), one would need to apply for permission to install cameras that covered the street. And such permission is only rarely given.
Would you really be ok with it if the guy living across from you put up a camera recording your home?
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@emilygcohen sorry if I came over as unkind I did add that
My comments were based on trying to imagine what the sitters perspective may have been based on the information in your original post - as you had asked for our thoughts.
I note that you have subsequently discovered (after your initial post and my reply ) that you had already mentioned the bells in your listing so that changes things again as sitter would have been aware before arriving .
My apologies again that I came over as unkind , it was certainly not my intention.
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If it helps, not everyone has their notifications turned on. I have a Ring and donât have the notifications on when someone is staying, because I feel itâs creepy to be notified whenever they enter or leave the house!
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Same, I donât even have the notifications on when Iâm home because I live in a 3 flat, so Iâd be getting notifications multiple times a day from my neighbors downstairs who sometimes like to hang out on the steps.
The only times mine are on are super late at night. The same with my smart lock.
I used to have a Ring doorbell, and while it was okay, I found the doorbell camera to be much more reliable and user-friendly.