How Can Vacation Rental Platforms Protect My Privacy and Prevent Safety Issues?
Privacy is a civil right in South Carolina, especially in places where you sleep. Vacation rental platforms, including Airbnb and Vrbo, are responsible for protecting your privacy and preventing safety issues during your stay. Unfortunately, not every property owner offering stays through vacation rental companies respects corporate privacy policies.
In a widely publicized case, Greenville privacy rights attorney Ryan Beasley helped obtain a $45 million verdict for victims of hidden camera voyeurism in an Airbnb.
Privacy Protections in Greenville Vacation Rentals
Lawful renters enjoy a right to privacy in vacation rentals to the same extent as in their own homes. In fact, the South Carolina Constitution explicitly protects people’s right to be secure in their homes and belongings from unreasonable invasions of privacy. Because vacation rental companies profit from their online offerings, they must take reasonable steps to protect your privacy.
Rental platforms sometimes do this by performing periodic property inspections for hidden cameras, but they more often only protect your privacy via contract. This means they prohibit property owners in writing from intruding on their guests’ privacy, generally including the following:
- Spying
- Accessing private spaces
- Interfering with the guest’s ability to use and enjoy private spaces
- Taking photos and videos without consent
- Sharing private renter information without consent
- Installing security cameras
Additionally, most vacation rental platforms have strict security camera and recording device policies. Airbnb, for example, does not allow hosts to have security cameras or recording devices in indoor spaces. This is true even if the devices are turned off or located in public areas, such as hallways. Hosts are prohibited from installing indoor cameras, baby monitors, or audio recording devices. They are also prohibited from installing outdoor recording devices in areas with outdoor showers or hot tubs. Problems arise, however, because these policies are not independently monitored. Contact a victim’s rights attorney immediately if you suspect an illegal recording device is present in your vacation rental.
Preventing Safety Violations in Vacation Homes
Most vacation rental platforms require an initial inspection for basic safety devices, such as front door locks. However, many other expected safety features – such as locks on the bathroom door – are only recommended. Though vacation companies may perform initial criminal background checks on property owners, they do not perform checks on neighbors or third parties with unknown access to the property. Even corporate renters, such as hotels, do not background check every guest. Safety is often left in the hands of the renter, even when renters expect the price of their stay to include certain safety guarantees.
Importantly, property owners must still ensure their guests’ safety to a certain degree. Vacation rental companies might be liable if the owner provides a third party – such as a cleaning company – with unauthorized access to the property during your stay or fails to warn guests about dangerous conditions on the property. Greenville personal injury lawyers might help you if you were injured due to safety violations in a vacation rental.
Connect with a Dedicated Victim’s Rights Lawyer in Greenville
As paying guests, you’re entitled to both personal and physical security while staying in South Carolina vacation rentals. You might have a claim against the vacation rental company and property owner for certain privacy violations and injuries occurring during vacation stays. If you suspect any invasion of privacy in Greenville, especially voyeurism and hidden cameras, contact us for free today by calling 864-756-4204 or filling out our online contact form.