Airbnb Security: Tech Items to Keep Your Rental Safe & Secure

Renting out your property on Airbnb presents some unique security challenges for hosts. When guests come and go from your home or apartment, keeping your rental space safe and secure can get tricky.

There are numerous ways to protect your home while you’re away using smart technology items, especially when allowing new people into your space. However, when it comes to Airbnb security gadgets, such as security cameras and noise detectors, using them can be legally problematic in some cases.

Read on to find out how to use technology to feel safer and more secure as an Airbnb host while abiding by Airbnb’s legal terms and conditions.

You may also want to check out our list of Airbnb do’s and don’ts every host should know.

Airbnb Security System: Smart Home Security Devices for Hosts

While Airbnb may seem like a safe place to find reliable guests, being a proactive planner is essential. You should set up an Airbnb security system to help you achieve peace of mind when new people stay in your space and you’re not there. Remember that Airbnb has strict rules regarding the use of home security devices and when to inform your guests about them.

Smart home security devices can help protect your rental space and your guests, making your place more high-tech and convenient. They will improve your guests’ experience during their stay, increasing your chances of getting 5-star reviews and more bookings.

Creating a perfect guest experience often requires a significant amount of work on your part as a host. You’ll need to answer all inquiries as fast as possible and organize your team to ensure proper cleaning and maintenance of your rental space. You’ll save time using tools like Hospitable to streamline your operations. With Hospitable, you can automate almost all routine tasks, even if you manage multiple listings on different OTA websites.

When tightening your Airbnb security, choosing a custom package of devices that fit your needs is better than picking a standard security kit to protect your Airbnb rental and personal self. Let’s look at some gadgets you can use as an Airbnb host to enhance the security of your vacation rental property.

Doorbell surveillance systems

Smart doorbell systems come equipped with video surveillance, allowing property owners to track the number of guests coming and going from the location. If you are worried about guests breaking your no-pet rules or bringing extra visitors they didn’t pay for, this smart home gadget will keep your property under control while you are away.

Airbnb hosts are also allowed to have exterior security cameras, so you can install them, for example, in your front yard or patio. However, you must disclose their location to guests. However, hosts are prohibited from monitoring their guests in areas where people have a greater expectation of privacy, such as inside an enclosed outdoor shower or in a sauna. Keep in mind that Airbnb recently updated its camera policy and banned the use of security cameras inside listings.

Smart locks

Having old-fashioned physical keys for your property can be risky because guests often lose them or fail to return the key upon check-out. Smart locks add another layer of security and ensure keyless entry to your home or apartment, so you can offer your guests self-check-in and will be able to manage your Airbnb remotely.

Airbnb allows hosts to send unique passcodes to guests through the app just a few days before they’re expected to arrive, giving them temporary access to the property. The passcode expires after the arranged check-out time.

If you opt for Hospitable, you can automate messaging door codes to guests on multiple booking channels, including Airbnb, Booking.com, Vrbo, and your direct booking website. Hospitable integrates with many popular smart lock systems and will automatically create and send unique door codes to your reserved guests shortly before check-in.

Carbon monoxide and smoke detector

Carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are essential devices for potentially life-threatening situations. Your guests will feel much more at ease when these systems are installed. Airbnb encourages all hosts to install smoke and CO detectors in their rental spaces. They also provide one free device to anyone with an active listing—only one per host. But if your property is very large, you may need more than one of these devices for complete safety.

Noise detector

If you're not comfortable with your guests having a party in the house, you may want to consider using smart devices and apps to maintain control. Noise monitoring software like Minut and Alertify can’t identify or record individual sounds. Such devices measure decibel levels over time to help keep your home safe and avoid neighbor complaints while respecting your guests’ privacy.

Noise sensors allow you to detect the exact noise level happening at your rental property at any given moment. Such devices can help avoid sticky situations with neighbors and even the police. They will notify you if an unusually noisy situation is occurring so you can intervene.

Airbnb allows hosts to install noise decibel monitors inside their rental properties, provided that hosts disclose the location of these devices. But you cannot install them in bedrooms, bathrooms, and sleeping areas.

You may want to check out our blog article to learn more about how Airbnb noise monitor solutions work and find tips on how to choose one for your property.

Motion sensors

If you use your rental property as a home for yourself during certain times of the year, motion sensors can help you restrict certain parts. Smart motion detectors will send notifications to alert you when guests enter these restricted areas. As long as motion sensors aren’t equipped with video or photo cameras and audio monitors, they’re completely fair game.

Smart thermostat

This device can make controlling the temperatures of your space much easier because you can monitor and adjust the temperature settings remotely from anywhere. A smart thermostat can help keep your Airbnb at a comfortable temperature and may be a selling point for potential guests, especially if your property is located in a country with extreme weather conditions. Smart thermostats can also help you save on your bills because they are eco-friendly and prevent energy waste, while providing every guest with comfort upon arrival.

The best smart thermostats for Airbnb come equipped with occupancy sensors and may have other safety features like built-in smoke alarm detection and freeze detection. They may also connect with various smart home systems.

Moreover, you can automate temperature control and optimize energy usage at your Airbnb property by connecting your smart thermostats to Hospitable. You can integrate supported thermostats directly with Hospitable, and our system will automatically adjust your thermostat settings based on your guest’s reservation status.

Currently, our supported thermostats include models from Ecobee and Honeywell, and these direct integrations work with all your booking channels, including Airbnb, Booking.com, Vrbo, and your direct booking website.

Watch this explainer video to get a better idea of how Hospitable’s smart thermostat management works, and check out our help article for more guidance.

Ensuring Airbnb Property Security Is Paramount

Ensuring home security is an essential responsibility for Airbnb hosts. You must take the necessary steps to ensure that guests have a safe and comfortable stay. However, don’t forget to also respect your guests’ privacy and inform them about the presence of safety devices in your Airbnb listing.

Setting up a home security system is brilliant if you follow Airbnb’s policies (and laws) because it will help you protect your property and provide a secure environment for your guests. This way, such an upgrade will also make your rental space more attractive to privacy-conscious travelers because high-level Airbnb security puts the guest’s mind at ease.