What to look for when you arrive at an Airbnb

Hidden cameras in rental properties are rare, but they do happen. When you arrive at an Airbnb, spend 10 to 15 minutes doing a visual sweep of the bedroom and bathroom before you unpack. Look for small holes or lenses in smoke detectors, clocks, picture frames, charging cables, and air fresheners—these are common hiding spots because they're already expected to be on walls or shelves.

Check the corners of rooms, especially above the bed and facing the toilet or shower. Legitimate cameras in common areas (like the living room) should be disclosed in the listing and visible without searching. If you find a camera in a private space like a bedroom or bathroom, that's a violation of Airbnb's policy and potentially illegal depending on your location.

Key Takeaways

  • Scan bedrooms and bathrooms for small holes or lenses in everyday objects like clocks, smoke detectors, and charging cables.
  • Legitimate cameras must be disclosed in the listing and should only be in common areas, never in bedrooms or bathrooms.
  • Your phone's camera can sometimes detect infrared light from hidden cameras in dark rooms, though this method is not foolproof.
  • If you find a camera in a private space, take a photo, document the location, and report it to Airbnb when ready.
  • Check the listing photos and host reviews before booking to see if other guests mention cameras or privacy concerns.

Using your phone camera to detect infrared lights

Many hidden cameras use infrared LEDs to see in the dark. Your smartphone camera can sometimes pick up infrared light that your eye cannot. In a dark room, open your phone's camera app and point it around the space, looking for small red or purple dots on the screen. This works because phone sensors are sensitive to infrared wavelengths.

This method is not reliable on its own—not all cameras use infrared, and some phone cameras filter it out. It should be one tool among several, not your only check. If you do spot a suspicious dot, move closer and look with your naked eye to confirm whether it's actually a camera lens or just a reflection.

What to check before you book

Read the listing carefully and look at all the photos the host provided. If cameras are present, they must be listed in the house rules or amenities section. Airbnb requires hosts to disclose cameras in common areas and strictly forbids them in bedrooms and bathrooms. If the listing says "security cameras" but doesn't specify where they are, message the host and ask for exact locations before you book.

Check the guest reviews for mentions of privacy, surveillance, or unexpected cameras. Guests often mention if they felt uncomfortable about camera placement or if they discovered cameras that weren't disclosed. If multiple reviews mention privacy concerns, choose a different property.

Physical inspection of common hiding spots

Start with the bedroom. Look inside or behind the alarm clock on the nightstand, check the corners where the walls meet the ceiling, and examine any decorative items on shelves or dressers. Inspect the smoke detector on the ceiling—a real smoke detector has a specific design, and a fake one or one with a hole drilled in it is suspicious.

In the bathroom, check the exhaust fan, the light fixture above the mirror, and any shelves or hooks. Look at the showerhead and the area above the toilet. In the living room and kitchen, cameras may be legitimate if disclosed, but verify they're not pointed at the bedroom or bathroom doors. Check charging cables, USB adapters, and power strips—these can be modified to hide tiny lenses.

What to do if you find a camera

If you find a camera in a bedroom or bathroom, do not touch it. Take a clear photo that shows the camera and its location in the room. Note the exact time and date. Then leave the property if you feel unsafe, or move to a different room if the host has multiple spaces available.

Report the discovery to Airbnb through the app or website. Go to your reservation, select "Report a problem," and describe what you found, where it was, and include your photo. Airbnb takes these reports seriously and will investigate. You may be offered a refund or rebooking. You can also contact local police to file a report, especially if you believe you were recorded without consent—this is illegal in most places.

Understanding Airbnb's camera policy

Airbnb allows hosts to have security cameras only in common areas like the living room, kitchen, or entryway. Cameras are forbidden in bedrooms, bathrooms, and any private sleeping space. Hosts must disclose all cameras in the listing description, and the disclosure must be clear and specific about where cameras are located.

If a host violates this policy, they can be removed from the platform. Guests who discover undisclosed cameras have the right to report the host and request a refund. Some states and countries have additional laws about recording in private spaces—recording someone in a bathroom or bedroom without consent is a crime in most jurisdictions, regardless of Airbnb's rules.

Steps to take during your stay

When you first arrive, do your visual inspection before settling in. If you're concerned about privacy, use a small piece of tape or a sticky note to cover any disclosed cameras that point toward your sleeping area, though this may violate the host's house rules. Check the WiFi network name—if it's something like "Hidden Camera" or "Security Cam," that's a red flag that the host is not being transparent.

Keep your valuables and personal items out of sight. Close curtains and blinds in bedrooms. If you notice anything suspicious during your stay—unusual sounds, devices you didn't see during check-in, or behavior from the host that makes you uncomfortable—document it and report it to Airbnb. Trust your instincts; if something feels wrong, it probably is.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a special app or device to find hidden cameras?

Apps that claim to detect hidden cameras by scanning WiFi networks or using your phone's sensors are unreliable and often misleading. A physical visual inspection and the infrared light method are more practical. If you're very concerned, a professional bug-detection service exists, but it's expensive and rarely necessary for a short rental stay.

What if the host says the camera is for security but won't say where it is?

Do not book that property. A host who cannot or will not clearly disclose camera locations is not being transparent. Airbnb's policy requires specific disclosure, and vague answers suggest the host may not be following the rules. Choose a different listing.

Is it legal for me to cover a disclosed camera with tape?

That depends on your location and the host's house rules. Covering a camera may violate the rental agreement, and the host could ask you to leave or charge a fee. If a disclosed camera points into your sleeping area, contact Airbnb before your stay and ask to change rooms or cancel. Do not cover it without permission.

What should I do if I find a camera after I've already checked in?

Take a photo, document the location and time, and report it to Airbnb when ready through the app. If you feel unsafe, leave the property and contact Airbnb to request a refund and help finding alternative accommodation. You can also contact local police if you believe you were recorded without consent.

Do I need to tell the host I'm checking for cameras?

No. A visual inspection of your rental space is your right as a guest. You do not need to announce it or ask permission. If the host asks why you're looking around, you can straightforward say you're familiarizing yourself with the space.