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It is a balancing act for Airbnb property owners and managers as to how they can effectively monitor and secure their sites whilst retaining guest privacy. Safeguarding a property benefits the owner but also demonstrates to guests that their safety and comfort is of the utmost importance.
Paying guests will not want internal security cameras to be on when they are in situ and in some cases may also object to external surveillance, so a delicate balance must be made. In all cases property owners require effective security measures to be in place whenever the property is empty.
The legalities around audio recording and video surveillance differ between countries and regions so owners must be aware of such laws. Audio recordings can be subject to particularly strict guidelines.
Whatever balance is struck, transparency is key in informing renters of the security measures in place at the property. Cameras should be conspicuous and the presence of all security measures, both internal and external, should be mentioned in the rental property listing. External areas that should be monitored are driveways, parking lots and front doors.
There is a plethora of wired options available. The main benefit of wired security cameras is that they are directly connected to the property’s power source, ensuring they remain operational as long as there is a reliable power supply. Drawbacks to a wired solution include installation where civil works are involved including drilling holes and routing cables which can include damage to the property. For holiday homes in particular, a wired solution may be problematic if there is a power cut or if power is isolated when the property is empty.
Wireless cameras are popular in rental and holiday properties particularly for this reason. They are also easy to install and as there is no wiring involved, they can be placed in strategic areas. This adaptability allows for better coverage and the ability to adjust cameras based on changing security needs is a key purchasing decision for this sector. Drawbacks to a wireless solution include the need to monitor batteries as well as possible interference from other electronic devices being used within the property.
With OCULi HD PIR cameras in place, owners can set their own schedule remotely via the OCULi HD portal. Whether the property is empty for two days or two weeks between guests arriving, they can see immediately that their property is secure. There are two variants – the 40m version is ideal for driveways and entrances whilst the 15m version has a wider detection range for doorways for example.
OCULi HD units are not reliant on any wi-fi connection so dips in connectivity are not an issue. Instead, they use the 4G network to gather and present footage.
In terms of power usage, OCULi HD units are dormant unless triggered by motion detection. A short video clip of the event is available to view online or via the iOS app in 20-30 seconds. Battery usage can be monitored remotely via the powerful portal or owners can connect their device to the OCULi solar kit that comprises a compact solar panel provided with a bracket. Devices have a built-in powerful IR light for clear night-time footage. SIM mobile data is highly competitive and includes access to the powerful cloud portal. This can be paused when the product is not in use. Images are kept on the cloud for 60 days and owners can download event footage or individual images within that time period.
OCULi HD allows owners to self-monitor their properties or they can hand over monitoring to a third party with OCULi cameras integrating with the major monitoring platforms. A horn speaker can be attached to sound an automatic warning message on motion detection, or a live voice challenge can be made within 3 minutes of an event.
Ease of use is a huge advantage for homeowners and the OCULi portal allows them to monitor any number of sites if required. They can remotely set on / off timings per site according to whether guests are in situ and the simple colour coding for events, movement tampers, daily heartbeats etc. adds to the simplicity of use of the portal.