Airbnb privacy: Policies & best practices explained

Demand for Airbnb home-sharing experiences is rising—but so are concerns over Airbnb privacy levels. Data from Statista shows consumers bought over 448 million Airbnb nights and experiences in 2023 which is up by 14% from 2022. However, along with a higher demand for quality experiences comes a greater expectation of privacy.  

To meet the growing demand and rising concerns over privacy levels and data compliance, Airbnb privacy rules are evolving. 

So, what should property managers in the home-sharing market do about it? Reviewing physical and digital risks is a great place to start. But you should also be aware of the new policies around recording devices and consider installing privacy-safe monitoring tools to protect yourself.

To give you an update on all the key aspects of new Airbnb privacy policies relating to vacation rentals, we’ll get into a comprehensive summary in this post. We’ve also included best practice strategies to help take appropriate steps to protect your short-term rental (STR) properties. 

💡 Use privacy-safe monitoring to automate STR security: Minut is more than a noise and occupancy monitor: it can detect motion, smoke, and window breaks before messaging you and your guests. Book a demo to find out how. 

Airbnb privacy best practices

Airbnb hosts face a range of risks to their physical and digital assets, especially when guests don’t follow or aren’t aware of Airbnb privacy rules. Overlooking or not abiding by the rules can sometimes harm property managers and Airbnb users, so the best way to mitigate the risks is to align with Airbnb's privacy best practices.

We’ll guide you through the core Airbnb privacy best practices to help you do just that. 

Managing sensitive data

Airbnb hosts are responsible for receiving, using, and handling personal data when managing reservations and delivering a Host Service. Compliance with applicable laws means only using personal information shared through the Airbnb platform. 

Hosts should not encourage any guests to do the following: 

• Open an account
• Leave a review
• Interact with third-party websites, make an application, or take up a service before, during, or after making a reservation. This is unless the third party has approval from Airbnb or the Host must provide the requested service. 

Recording devices

Creating an environment that promotes guests’ privacy is vital to Airbnb privacy compliance. 

Privacy experts suggest hosts should not interfere with guests’ ability to use private spaces. So, when installing monitoring devices like Minut, hosts must declare and list any noise monitors in the property’s interior and ensure they aren’t present in any obvious private areas such as bathrooms, bedrooms, or other sleeping areas. 

As an Airbnb host, you won’t need to SHARE exactly where each device is, but the rules state they should go into common areas like passageways and sitting rooms.  The good news is that it’s easy to self-install Minut monitoring tools in indoor and outdoor spaces, so you can rest assured you’re meeting Airbnb’s standards.

Privacy-safe monitoring

New Airbnb privacy rules released in April restrict hosts from fixing security cameras and recording devices in any interiors. And although rules allow for other monitoring tools, specifically noise monitors and smart home devices. 

Noise monitors are the most convenient, privacy-safe way to assess sound levels and protect against damage to properties while avoiding neighbor complaints. 

Minut is the perfect example of an all-in-one noise monitor that mitigates excessive noise in your vacation rentals, aligned with Airbnb rules. After fixing them to communal areas and disclosing them on listings pages, your device will monitor decibel levels in real-time, and send you instant alerts to help you take immediate action on any excessive noise.

It’s easy to set up automated alerts for you or your guests through a range of channels, from SMS to sounds or Autocalling. Plus, through Minut’s Guard Assist and Call Assist features you’ll get round-the-clock assistance from the Call Assist team who can tackle issues with a call to the property.

Private spaces and personal property

Following Airbnb’s privacy rules comes down to using common sense—but such an approach won’t always prevent problems like unauthorized parties. So, to help preserve the integrity of guests and hosts, Airbnb encourages hosts to use some ground rules, as set out in their privacy policy: 

• Physical intrusion into private spaces: Hosts and guests can’t access private spaces without permission unless it’s an emergency. This applies to the entry on the listing page and the property in homestays. Within shared stays, this can apply to private areas. 
• Using other people’s personal property: Hosts and guests should not use other people’s personal property without the owner’s permission.  
• Interfering in others' private space: Guests and hosts should not infringe on someone else’s ability to use a private space.  
• Non-consensual content sharing: Hosts should not post private information, photos, or videos of community members unless they have the person’s permission. 
• Host re-entry: Hosts can re-enter a property or guest's rooms in shared stays only when the guest gives permission or in an emergency. 

Training staff

For vacation rental property managers, training your staff on any new Airbnb privacy policy is vital, however, it’s not always easy, especially if you outsource in-the-field staff to a third-party provider.

Instead, consider the following lighter-touch strategies to help your management and field staff access and deploy the knowledge they need quickly and efficiently:

• Workshop sessions: Get your staff into a series of workshops where they can dip into real-life scenarios and learn how to adapt their approach. Tailor workshops to meet the shorter-term needs of staff. 
• Easy access guides: Offer staff an easily accessible guide that they can dip into at any point. This is also a good way to set expectations for conduct that aligns with Airbnb’s privacy policy, like showing respect for personal property and knocking on doors. 
• Posters in staffed areas: Sharing updates on privacy policies via laminated posters, where possible, may help field staff keep those policies at the front of their minds. 

Certifications

One of the best ways to stand out from the crowd and stay on top of policy details is to get certified through Airbnb Hosting courses.

Here are a few courses to kick things off and get you thinking: 

1. STR Certification

Developed by Las Vegas-based Julie Davies, the STR Certification is available as a 2-day live, online, or evening course, as an e-course or hybrid version. Some University-based Hospitality Management and Business Degree programs also offer this. 

2. California Association of Realtors (CAR)

As part of CAR’s Property Management Certification Program, this online Vacation Rental Management Course offers training on the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in vacation rentals. It also features training on essential concepts, legal frameworks, and specific procedures to follow. 

3. BNB Mastery 

BNB Mastery is a 6-week online training program used by hosts in over 10 different countries. It’s a step-by-step program created by James Svetec and Symon He that includes tools, templates, and resources to teach learners how to maximize the potential of other people’s listings. 

4. The Next Stop Collective 

Self-proclaimed ‘Husband and Wife Superhost Power Duo’ Juston and Brittany run several Airbnb properties out of North Carolina. They also offer a 5-week digital course to help you maximize hosting and generate more income.

5. Udemy

Global online learning platform Udemy can help Airbnb hosts get to grips with their field. A good place to start is Vacation Rental, Airbnb Management - From Beginner to Pro. This covers topics including how to scale a business when operating multiple short-term rental properties. 

Compliance with Airbnb privacy policies will protect your integrity

By following Airbnb privacy best practices, you’ll not only enhance the guest experience, but you’ll also protect your integrity as a host and with the neighbors to your property. 

Taking such steps can also improve your reputation in the industry and help you capitalize on the growing worldwide demand for Airbnb vacation rentals. 

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