If you’re staying in a new Airbnb or other vacation rental for spring break, it pays to be prepared. I suggest you have a plan of what to expect and what to do when you arrive, especially once you arrive comes to safety. Not all of them vacation rental live up to their promises, so it’s important to know what to watch for, especially when you get there.
A little research and a few important ones security checks and you’ll be on your way to holiday fun in no time. Here’s what you need to remember and why it’s important.
Read more: 7 Tips for Spotting Hidden Cameras in Your Airbnb
1. Ahead of time, do more research on your host
Check out in-depth reviews and host notes on any rental.
Airbnb basics include checking your host’s rating, but don’t stop there. You can find a lot of useful information — and Airbnb security red flags — by digging a little deeper as you finalize plans and create your itinerary.
Take the time to read past reviews and see what they have to say. Be careful if the reviews are about the environment but don’t talk too much about the rental itself, which could mean there were issues they didn’t want to mention. Always choose hosts who have gone through the Airbnb process to verify their identity and choose “hosts” with many positive reviews.
And you can learn a lot from the photos a host includes — or doesn’t include. Take a look at the pictures that show the entrances to the house, how easy it can be to break windows or doors, and how to clean and open up the surrounding landscape. That’s what hackers are looking for, too. Be aware if the photos don’t show much visible information about the rental or if they don’t show any of the safety features mentioned in the listing.
This is also a great time to Google the area around you and see if it has any significant risks, from a wave of home invasions to the likes of wildfires or floods.
2. List any security cameras and where they are
The wireless Ring Stick-Up Cam Pro sits in the corner of the home, facing the exterior of the property.
Airbnb completely bans internal security cameras. If you see any, that’s an instant dealbreaker and you should ask for a refund and find another place. Outdoor security cameras are still allowed, but if you rent you should know exactly where they are.
Landlords often use a combination of installed security cameras and doorbells to, at the very least, check when tenants arrive and make sure they show up as expected. Find these cameras and make sure they don’t interfere or point through windows to see rental rooms. A single, minimally invasive video doorbell is a great feature.
An important note: Always talk to hosts in advance about security cameras and any security systems they use. Ask the host to explain where their cameras are and how they are used. This is a small security forum by itself.
3. Check the appliances and decide what you will (and won’t) use
Hosts may provide many appliances, but be careful what you use.
Most rentals are equipped with their own electronics, which can include computers, tablets, TVs, sound systems, Wi-Fi routers, smart thermostats and many other gadgets. Do a survey of these appliances when you arrive, especially if the host listed them.
Decide in advance whether and how you will use these electronics. Remember, hosts can monitor device usage and can even look at web cameras. Many employers do not feel comfortable using embedded computers and stay on their own devices to be safe.
Devices like TVs are probably safe, although you should avoid connecting rental set-top boxes or TV sticks to your screens. But what other gadgets like chargers are provided for hire? It’s best to specify and plug your chargers into wall outlets to avoid malware and other problems.
4. Plan your smart lock codes ahead of time
Smart locks can provide codes, passes, biometric logins and more, but it’s important to keep things organized.
Smart locks are one of the most common rental devices and come with a host of benefits for both you and your landlord. But that comes with a caveat: You need passcodes or digital keys to use them properly.
Ask the host for your digital codes before you arrive. Ask for specifics on how the codes work — are they only valid for a limited time? What about certain times of the day? Most importantly, have the codes been changed since the last employer? You will want to ensure your safety and the freedom to leave the rental property whenever you want.
Hosts who are interested in smart lock details, don’t provide proper codes or digital passes or want to limit your movements to certain times of the day are red flags. In these cases, you should find alternative accommodation if you can.
5. Do a resource check before downloading
When you first arrive and air out your rental, this is an excellent opportunity to look for any obvious safety or utility issues in your property. People experienced everything from missing shower curtains and broken back doors to toilets that didn’t work. Others find a shocking absence of hot water or unexpected rock attacks. With big problems like these, it’s important to say “no” QUICKLY and make other arrangements rather than start unraveling before you know it.
6. Once logged in, scan for hidden cameras
Apps can help you monitor your Airbnb, but we suggest using them in other ways.
We wish Airbnb’s hidden cameras were an urban legend, but it’s a real trend happening all over the world. You can do a few short tests on hidden cameras when you are indoors and ready to take them out.
We have a complete guide to finding hidden rental cameras here. Most can be easily found by using the flashlight on your phone and scanning rooms in the dark, which often show reflective lenses and other signs. Apps (like this one from Kupertino Labs) and gadgets can also help if you’re particularly concerned.
7. Look for basics like smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and window locks
Always check the list of installed devices against what you find on Airbnb.
Including electronics and hidden cameras, there is one gadget you need to carry in new places like this. Check smoke/carbon monoxide detectors in every room and make sure there is a fire extinguisher within easy reach. Check the locks on the windows and any side doors, too.
This is also a great time to find any home safes the host may have installed to store your valuables. It’s your choice if you want to keep electronics, cash and more here, but a well-maintained safe with changing codes is usually one of the most secure places to rent. However, you should put a lot of trust in your host.
8. See if there is secure Wi-Fi
A Netgear hotspot device can be a safer option than relying on every host’s Wi-Fi.
Wi-Fi is a standard, even expected inclusion in Airbnb, but it comes with its own set of risks. It is important that any Wi-Fi the host provides is on a separate guest network, uses WPA2 or 3 encryption and has a good password. Ideally, the host will change this password after every guest, too. Even then, the host still has a lot of control over which devices are connected and what they do.
If you can’t make sure that the Wi-Fi network has proper security, don’t use it. Some prefer to use their own Wi-Fi hotspots or a VPN instead of risking the risks that come with relying on a stranger’s Wi-Fi.
9. Check local maps or download your own
Updates like iOS 18 make it easier than ever to download customized maps for your apps.
Some rental owners offer assistance to newcomers such as providing local maps or guides so you can find your way around easily and get a few recommendations. If there are no maps provided, now is a good time to find a few local maps (road, route, landmark) and download them to your phone or other device. You’ll want a downloaded map that doesn’t depend on Wi-Fi for safe local navigation.
Now you’re ready to settle in, get out and enjoy your stay. But don’t stop reading just yet — we’ve got tips for stopping porch burglars, preventing burglaries whether you’re home or not and a complete guide to home security questions and answers.
