Camera Policy

ACME Camera policies summary: 

• Prohibits devices in non-permitted areas 
• Discourages devices in permitted areas.  
• Discovery of undisclosed device(s) results in removal from our platform
• Disclosure is the responsibility of the owner

Please read below for a full explanation.  

At ACME, we consider ourselves partners in your success, committed to helping you achieve your goals and ensuring that every guest becomes a raving fan of their experience.

The presence of cameras and audio recording devices is indeed a reality in today's world. While we recognize their value as a security tool, particularly in safeguarding second and third properties, it's crucial to approach their use with sensitivity and discretion.

The fact that Guests do not like cameras or microphones, watching or listening to them, while staying in your home, is typically undisputed.  There are laws against hidden cameras and audio recording.  And the online travel agencies prohibit the use of most devices as well.   So where is the issue?   Let’s break it down by area and type of device: 

Monitoring Device Types

• Audio recording
• Video Cameras 
• Audio/noise monitoring
• Device(s) with camera and speaker; Google and Amazon devices with voice assist AND a camera, any tablet or phone used for any purpose not at the front door facing out, and some alarm panels used on the interior of the home. 

For purposes of this article, we grouped all of these devices together as contentious devices and will address them as “Device(s)” 

• Exception   (devices with one-way audio such as Alexa with no camera, are not considered in this group of devices, not yet anyway…)

Device Locations

Devices located, or directed at, where guests expect privacy: Not Acceptable

We find this is the most accurate way to describe what doesn’t work, this covers any device listed above, hidden or not hidden, covered or uncovered, active or not, in any area someone might walk through, relax in, or be in as part of their use of your home. This includes but is not limited to living spaces, bedrooms, bathrooms, garages, outdoor areas with furniture, and areas like pool or spa controllers that require visibility.  Even a front courtyard with a device pointing towards the street but the camera covers a private area inadvertently. 

Acme does not manage homes with devices in these areas, regardless of measures taken, including temporary removal for guest stays, no exceptions.  This may seem harsh, please remember you hired us as the expert. After hosting 2 million plus guest nights over 15 years, we are in a special position to know what works and what doesn’t work.   Cameras in areas where guests expect privacy does not work at all, causing no end of complaints, poor reviews, requests to be relocated, etc.  Disclosing is imperfect, since many guests skim contracts/ads, and become surprised only upon arrival when it is too late. 

Side note on what you give up with the loss of devices in these areas:  With all the cameras at all the properties for all of these last 15 years,  we have not had a single criminal culprit identified or prosecuted as a result of any device at any home.  We have plenty of baseball caps and hoodies, grainy side shots of a face while walking away, with a TV underarm. Never an actual face with enough clarity to arrest or prosecute.   Are they a deterrent? Of course, their presence can deter amateur criminals who likely move on to a neighboring house. However, if your goal is a CSI-level instant arrest and justice result, you could be disappointed at how easily the pros get around detection or identification. 

Should this raise questions on which areas are ok, it is simpler to understand the areas where devices COULD be located with disclosure.  

Only exterior cameras facing the street, not picking up or appear to pick up private areas, are permitted.  These cameras must be positioned in such a way that they do not capture or appear to capture, any common guest areas or infringe upon the privacy of guests during their stay.  Please see the graphic below.  RED = PROHIBITED & GREEN = PERMITTED 

Discouragement of Camera Usage:

While we acknowledge the importance of security measures, we strongly discourage the use of cameras at all. The reality is any presence of cameras leaves guests feeling uncomfortable, compromises their experience, and intrudes upon their sense of privacy during their vacation. You are using them for safety and security, however keep in mind, the guests do not know you, so the fear that someone could also use them to do surveillance on them for not as nice reasons, is hard for many to dismiss. If we were catching criminals left and right with them, it might make more sense, but the reality is that we have not seen this to be the case at all. 

Impact on Booking Sites: 

ACME policy aligns with most Booking sites, which prohibit the use of the above devices, in private areas, disclosed or not.   Should you opt to have a device listed in a permitted location, you will need to disclose this in your advertising, and Acme will do the same in our guest contract.  Ads with devices disclosed, perform poorly compared to those without devices listed.   Should you have a device that is not listed, and a guest reports the presence of the device upon arrival, your home could be permanently delisted from that site.   Again, guests tend to skim these listings, and our agreement, so disclosure is little protection against arrival issues upon discovery. In fact the listing sites rarely support the removal of a poor review, for devices, even if disclosed prior.

If you have any questions please email us at Actionitem@acmehouseco.com

Thank you for your understanding and continued partnership!