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5 days ago
- Buzz Feed
6 Essential Airbnb Safety Checks Every Guest Needs
With the rise of platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo, short-term vacation rentals have become an increasingly popular alternative to hotels. In the age of COVID-19, many travelers prefer the option to avoid the person-to-person contact of staying at a busy hotel by booking a single-family home instead. But there are safety concerns that arise with the vacation rental experience. 'While many hotels have security guards and someone at a front desk keeping an eye on the property 24/7, Airbnbs do not,' Cheryl Nelson, a travel preparedness expert and founder of Prepare with Cher, told HuffPost. 'If you have a concern at an Airbnb, there usually isn't a manager or employee on-site or another room you may move to. If you're traveling solo and need help, a hotel will typically have people on staff 24/7 to assist, while Airbnbs may not.' Over the years, companies like Airbnb and Vrbo have taken steps to improve safety ― from banning parties to providing safety checklists to establishing a Trust & Safety Advisory Coalition. 'Staying at a short-term rental property is generally safe,' said Jeremy Prout, director of security solutions at International SOS. 'Like booking any accommodation, the traveler needs to ensure they understand the risk of the neighborhood and take general precautions that they would for staying anywhere. Many of the concerns about safety and privacy issues are driven by viral videos or posts that are not consistent with the overall experience.' Rare or not, dangerous things can happen during travel, including at vacation rentals. That said, there are ways to diminish the risks. Below, experts share the safety steps travelers should take when they arrive at a vacation rental. They also offered some advice for keeping safety in mind when booking these accommodations. 1. Check for cameras. 'Ask the host if there are security cameras so there is full disclosure,' Nelson advised. 'Hidden cameras are prohibited, but for your own privacy, you may want to do a scan inside the house to make sure you don't unwillingly end up on camera.' Airbnb specifically prohibits hidden cameras or other recording devices and requires hosts to disclose the presence of any such implements. Recording devices are also not permitted in private spaces like bedrooms and bathrooms, though they are allowed in common areas. Vrbo doesn't allow any sort of surveillance devices inside its properties, though hosts are allowed to place cameras outside the home, so long as their locations are shared with guests. Still, over the years, there have been several news stories about travelers discovering hidden cameras in their vacation rentals. 'They're typically in areas where you would expect privacy,' said travel safety consultant Kevin Coffey. 'Think smoke detectors in bedrooms, light fixtures in bathrooms, even alarm clocks next to beds.' He emphasized these concealed recording device instances are rare and that many hosts simply install visible cameras in permitted areas due to the countless incidents of guests trashing rental properties during their stays. Still, if you're concerned about hidden cameras, there are ways to check for them when you arrive. 'You can use a Wi-Fi checker,' Coffey said, noting that network-scanning apps like Fing can inform guests of any unknown devices that are connected to the Wi-Fi. Keep an eye out for objects that appear to be altered or out of place, and if you have suspicions, consider draping a piece of clothing over them. 'Use a flashlight with the lights off to look for reflections off camera lenses,' Nelson suggested. 'Peer into vents covers and other openings in the wall where a small camera could be hidden. Unscrew and inspect smoke alarms and other wall- or ceiling-mounted appliances.' 2. Store your valuables safely. 'For the safety of your belongings, ask if the property has a safe,' Nelson suggested. Items like your passport, electronics, jewelry and other valuables should go in the most secure location, and many rentals provide safe storage. Sometimes, you might have to bring your own padlock, which provides extra security as only you know the code. 'There are also portable safes you can travel with,' Coffey said. 'They're usually cloth with wire mesh sandwiched between two layers of canvas, and there's a braided steel cable, so the only way for a thief to get into the bag would be to have bolt cutters.' He recommended the brand Pacsafe, which has a variety of anti-theft items, including portable safes. 'If you don't have a safe, gauge whether you should leave stuff lying around that can be seen through windows,' Coffey advised. 'You don't want important items to be visible.' If you have a car parked outside, make sure to remove your belongings to avoid vehicle break-ins. 'You can also bring a camera to monitor your valuables as long as you remember to remove it by the time you check out,' said Cathy Pedrayes, a safety expert and author of The Mom Friend Guide to Everyday Safety and Security. 3. Confirm the presence of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Fire safety is always a concern, but after three American tourists died from carbon monoxide poisoning at a resort in the Bahamas in May, travelers are on extra high alert for that silent killer as well. 'Check to ensure each floor of the rental has working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors,' Nelson advised. Rental booking platforms like Airbnb allow hosts to note whether or not they have a smoke or CO detector on the property, but it's worth checking that they're on when you arrive. 'You can also purchase portable smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and take them with you when you travel,' Coffey added. 4. Get the lay of the land. 'After I set my bags down at a rental, I just walk around the space and get the lay of the land,' Coffey said. 'Try to see where all the doors are and test them out. So many people see a door but might not realize it's bolted shut, so that's not a way out in case of a fire.' During your inspection, create a mental escape plan for emergencies. Look for the first aid kit and fire extinguisher. Coffey said he inspects the fire extinguisher to make sure it's charged and functioning. 'Remember that when you're in a house, there are a lot of points of entry that could be used to break in when you're not around ― whereas a hotel room usually only has the one door,' he added. 'Check your door and window locks to see how secure things are from a break-in standpoint.' Consider the safety needs of your fellow travelers in mind as you scan the property. 'If traveling with children, survey the area and look for glass or sharp objects, ensure that the TV is secure, if it is within reach,' Prout said. Scope out the general area where you're staying as well by walking around and looking at the map on your phone. 'You should be aware of local emergency resources ― police station, fire station, hospitals, pharmacies ― should there be an emergency during your stay,' Prout said. 5. Set up your own alarms. 'If you're staying in a street-level apartment or a place with lots of windows, consider if it makes sense for you to bring in additional door and window security devices,' Coffey said. Ask your host or look for yourself to see if there are already alarms and outdoor sensor lights. Even if there are, you may still want extra protection. Coffey noted that portable motion detectors are not particularly expensive and can alert you if someone is trying to break into a door or window. Similarly, portable locks can help keep your rental extra secure. 'Bring a small, portable door stop alarm,' Nelson echoed. ' This one from Damsel in Defense is one of my favorites.' 6. Turn on tracking. When you're traveling, it's always a good idea to let loved ones know where you'll be. You can text them the address of your rental when you check in and share your reservation confirmation. Coffey suggested even going a step further. 'Turn on tracking for your loved ones so that they can see where exactly you are and know what's going on,' he said, pointing to apps like Find My Friends. 'You should do this especially if you're a solo traveler.' Pedrayes recommended having designated people you can call in case of an emergency. 'Before you arrive at a location, know your emergency numbers,' she said. 'Is there Wi-Fi or cell service? Who can you call back home to help? Do you speak the language, if not, do you have a way to communicate in case of an emergency?' Keep vacation rental safety in mind even before your trip. 'I've never felt unsafe while staying at an Airbnb, but I always do my research prior to booking,' Nelson said, adding that she tries to choose properties from Airbnb 'Superhosts' when possible due to their experience and top ratings. 'Familiarize yourself with the local area and always read the Airbnb guests' reviews, so there aren't any surprises.' She also recommended resources like to 'understand the vulnerabilities' of a particular area. Google Street View can help you see what the street and entrance look like as well. 'A short-term rental property may look great in photos, but be sure to research the neighborhood ― you will be interacting with it, including coming and going with luggage,' Prout noted. 'A simple search can provide you with an overview of the risks. If you're not sure, ask the host. If you're still not sure, find another accommodation.' In addition to crime concerns, Coffey said some travelers like to consider if an area is good fit from a cultural perspective. 'A person of color, someone who's LGBTQ, a woman traveler ― they might want to take a deeper dive and look at safety scores from different apps and websites,' he explained. ' GeoSure offers helpful ratings.' He also suggested parents traveling with children check the sex offender registry for the neighborhood. Meanwhile, Prout urged travelers to think about the types of accommodation they're searching. 'When it comes to safety, booking individual room rentals instead of an entire property can put a traveler at risk as the guest may find themselves sharing a home or an apartment with other people, which can increase the likelihood of a security incident ― assault, harassment, etc.,' he said. Still, Prout added, there's no simple solution for avoiding all risk. 'The reality is that emergencies can happen anywhere, at any time,' he emphasized. 'Therefore, there is no one answer when it comes to ensuring your safety when booking lodging accommodations. The best thing a traveler can do to protect themselves is to do research ahead of booking accommodations to determine the level of risk associated with the location and plan accordingly.' HuffPost.
Vancouver Sun
28-05-2025
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
B.C. says no to request for more exemptions to short-term rental restrictions
The B.C. Real Estate Association is asking the province to grant more exemptions to its short-term rental restrictions, arguing it is hearing from people in the health-care, film and construction sectors that there is a shortage of accommodation for workers in rural and northern communities. The association wants to see the province make exemptions on a geographic basis for communities such as Prince George that serve as health-care hubs for surrounding communities. 'In communities across the province, you need a certain stock of available short-term rentals for short-term medical workers,' said Trevor Hargreaves, the association's senior vice-president of government relations, marketing and communications. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Hargreaves said people from remote regions being sent to Metro Vancouver also need affordable accommodations, using the example that for people receiving chemotherapy 'it's not particularly viable that you're here paying 90 days worth of hotels at $450 a night.' He said he also wants to see the NDP re-examine restrictions around strata hotels, individual units owned as part of a strata but managed for short-term rentals, and give a sector-wide exemption for the film and TV sector, which relies heavily on transient cast and crew. The final request from the association is that the province return zoning power to local governments, allowing them to permit short-term rentals in certain neighbourhoods. The calls comes days before the government's deadline of June 2 for platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo to begin removing illegal listings and as a summer begins to near that Hargreaves expects will see plenty of Canadians travel to B.C. instead of going to the U.S. Provincial Minister of Housing Ravi Kahlon replied almost immediately on Tuesday that he is not considering granting such exemptions as they risk undermining the progress he feels the province is making in bringing affordable housing on line by forcing investors to sell or list their properties as long-term rentals. He also said that it is his understanding that the issues of accommodation for health-care workers is not a big problem and is being addressed. 'We know the health authorities have made adjustments to support individuals who need housing for health care-related matters, and so we'll monitor as we go forward,' said Kahlon. 'There hasn't been a major issue at this point. But what we have been seeing is people getting housing for much cheaper than they were paying before, and that's a positive thing.' Prince George councillor Brian Skakun said, however, that he has spoken to a number of doctors and nurses who have been travelling to the city from around B.C., and in some cases even other provinces such as Alberta and Manitoba, and have struggled to find a place to stay. He said patients are also having the same problem, with people travelling from surrounding communities to receive health care but then finding that hotel spaces are either unavailable or way too expensive. 'We met with Minister Kahlon directly last year. Premier Eby, I told him the way they are handling it does nothing but create problems for us,' said Skakun. 'These folks that come here do not want to stay in a hotel. They want some sort of setting, that when they get off of a stressful shift, to be able to relax. So just the fact that we might have hotels available doesn't solve the problem.' Nicole Bryant, CEO of the Northern Regional Construction Association, said she hasn't heard many stories of construction workers being unable to find housing, but has witnessed prices going up as the deadline for online platforms to start removing illegal listings nears. She said there is potential for the restrictions to cause even further increases in the costs of capital projects in the region as the money required for contractors to house employees rises. 'When you're looking at sending a crew to a community to do work, you're looking at five hotel rooms, as opposed to one short-term rental that people can share,' said Bryant. 'They've already bid on these jobs based on short-term rentals and availability at the time that those jobs were bid. We look at these jobs running sometimes as long as two to three years. And so these costs were estimated a long time ago, and this change could definitely put a dent into the cost for the project and increasing costs for projects and timelines.' alazenby@
CNBC
24-05-2025
- Business
- CNBC
Best homeowners insurance in Illinois in 2025
Homeowners insurance in Illinois costs an average of $2,149 a year for $300,000 worth of dwelling coverage, fairly close to the national average of $2,329. But not all policies are equal: Below, CNBC Select names the best options for homeowners insurance in the Prairie State in a variety of categories, including affordability, coverage options and optional add-ons. (Check out our methodology for more on how we made our choices.) The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote Yes Allstate's homeowners insurance combines strong track records for customer satisfaction with affordability. While not available in all states, it is widely available across the U.S. It's also willing to work with homeowners who have unique needs like those with homes over 100 years old. Special features including unique homesharing coverage can help make your homeowners insurance policy even more useful. Who's this for? Allstate has some of the lowest premiums of the companies we reviewed for homeowners insurance in Illinois. It also offers a variety of discounts, including up to 25% for bundling home and auto insurance. Standout benefits: Allstate's HostAdvantage plan covers your property if you're renting it out on a homesharing platform like Airbnb or Vrbo. The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote Not disclosed Yes Erie Insurance offers homeowner's insurance in 12 states, with unique features including gift card reimbursement if a retailer has closed, coverage for lost or damaged cash and precious metals and up to $500 for pets in a covered loss. Flooding, earthquakes, identity theft, high-value items (These can all be purchased as add-ons.) Who's this for? Erie's policies include replacement cost coverage, which means it will pay what it takes to rebuild your home, even if there's been depreciation or labor and material costs have risen. Standout benefits: Erie is one of the top-ranked providers for customer satisfaction on J.D. Power's surveys of homeowners insurance and the claims process. It also receives far fewer complaints that companies of equivalent size, according to the National Association of Insurance Commisioners complaint index. The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote Not disclosed Yes Amica offers two tiers of homeowners insurance coverage — a standard policy and the brand's unique Platinum Choice homeowners insurance. The latter offers extended coverage for jewelry, liability and covers more situations than a standard homeowners insurance policy. Add-on options include computer coverage, sump pump backup coverage, and dwelling replacement coverage. Who's this for? Amica has add-ons that can make your policy more robust, like flood insurance and coverage for electronics and water backup claims Standout benefits: Amica homeowners policies are eligible for dividends, which can be given as a check or applied toward future premiums. Dividends average between 5% and 20% of yearly rates. The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote Not disclosed Yes Chubb's Masterpiece plan includes extended replacement cost, water backup coverage and a cash settlement option Flood or equipment breakdown coverage (can be purchased as an add-on) Terms apply. Read our Chubb homeowners insurance review Who's this for? Chubb policies start at $1 million of dwelling coverage for homes with special features and can include liability coverage up to $100 million. Standout benefits: Chubb offers customers free risk-consultation sessions, which can help you understand threats to your home and choose prevention options. The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote Not disclosed Yes Policy covers most weather-related damages, theft, vandalism, sudden and accidental water damage and mold. Also covers personal liability, personal belongings, dwelling and other structures and loss of use Flood insurance, water damage and mold that has built up slowly over time, high-value personal items Terms apply. Who's this for? Though only available to current and previous members of the armed forces and their families, USAA policies are among the lowest in the state. And while it's not officially ranked, it scored higher than any other company on J.D. Power's 2024 homeowners insurance survey. Standout benefits: Replacement cost coverage is standard with USAA, so you won't have to worry about depreciation eating into your payout in the event of a covered loss. The average homeowners insurance policy in Illinois is about $2,149 per year for $300,000 of dwelling coverage, according to Bankrate, or about $180 a month. That's slightly below the national average of $2,329 per year. Individual premiums will vary, however, based on your home's age, location and value, as well as your history of claims and other factors. There are several ways to lower your homeowners insurance premiums: Getting homeowners insurance from the same company that protects your car can save you up to 25% or more in annual premiums. Choosing a higher deductible for homeowners insurance typically means paying less in premiums. Be sure you can afford to meet the new deductible, however, if you need to file a claim. In most states, insurance companies can use your credit score to determine approval and rates. Raising you score a boost by paying bills on time and using less of your available credit can help lower your premiums. Insurance companies will offer different premiums for the same coverage. Get price quotes from at least three companies that issue policies in Illinois to see which offers the most bang for your buck. While every homeowner's needs are different, our top picks for homeowners insurance in Illinois are Amica, Allstate, Erie, Chubb and USAA, based on cost, customer service, coverage options and more. Homeowners insurance premiums are rising across the U.S. for a variety of reasons, including higher building and construction costs and an increase in the number and seriousness of natural disasters. According to our analysis, Allstate has the most affordable homeowners insurance rates in Illinois. However, prices can vary widely based on the size, age and value of your home, as well as your claims history and credit score. Get quotes from several companies to be sure that you've found the most affordable option for you. Money matters — so make the most of it. Get expert tips, strategies, news and everything else you need to maximize your money, right to your inbox. Sign up here. At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every insurance review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of insurance products. To research the best insurance companies, we compiled over 50 data points on more than a dozen insurance companies. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. CNBC Select analyzed more than a dozen companies that issue homeowners policies in Illinois, considering cost, coverage limits, endorsements, discounts and online incorporated customer satisfaction ratings from J.D. Power and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners complaint index, as well as financial strength ratings from A.M. Best. Average annual premiums came from Bankrate analysis of data from Quadrant Information Services for $300,000 of dwelling coverage for a couple with good credit and a clean claims history insuring a house built in also considered CNBC Select audience data when available, such as general demographics and engagement with our content and tools. Based on these criteria, our picks for the best homeowners insurance in Illinois are:
Miami Herald
22-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Airbnb to crack down on ‘unauthorized and disruptive' parties on summer bookings
Parties at vacation rentals sometimes raise the ire of neighbors when holiday revelry gets out of hand. Airbnb announced this week it is rolling out "anti-party technology" across the U.S. this summer. The system will be in effect for two upcoming holiday weekends: Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. The goal of the system, which is being deployed for the fourth straight year, is to uphold Airbnb's Community Disturbance Policy, which bans "disruptive parties, events, noise, or other disruptive behaviors and actions," by looking at a range of factors to identify and prevent attempts to book one-to-two-night stays in entire home listings that could be higher risk for disruptive parties. Parameters looked at include the type of listing being booked, the duration of the stay, the distance to the listing from the guest's primary location and if the booking is last minute. If an attempted booking is flagged, the user is either blocked or redirected to alternative listing options. According to the announcement, this anti-party technology led to 51,000 people being blocked or redirected from listings over the same two holiday weekends last year. This includes approximately 900 people in Atlanta and 2,400 across Georgia, according to Airbnb. Despite these measures, Airbnb notes that disruptive parties are a relatively rare occurrence but are nonetheless "committed to working to reduce the risk and helping hosts promote positive experiences in their homes and local neighborhoods." Since introducing the party ban in 2020, the company has seen a 50% decline in the rates of parties reported at U.S. bookings. In addition to the screening, Airbnb offers other resources, including tips for hosts, free noise sensors for hosts and support and safety lines for hosts, guests and neighbors. Vrbo, a similar short-term rental business, has a "strict no-party house policy," but has not announced a plan similar to Airbnb's for the holiday weekends. Vrbo's website, however, includes expectations for both guests and hosts, noting that if someone causes or fails to handle a disturbance, respectively, they will not be allowed to be involved in the rental process in the future. Vrbo also offers Stay Neighborly, which allows neighbors of rental sites to report any nuisance concerns. Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
Wales Online
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Wales Online
Tourism tax will hammer 'another nail in Wales' coffin' some fear
Tourism tax will hammer 'another nail in Wales' coffin' some fear The charge will be higher than originally planned, but there have also been concerns about how it would work in practice (Image: Ian Cooper/North Wales Live ) Mark Drakeford has unveiled changes to the proposed tourism tax, officially known as a visitor levy, which will bring in a two-tier charge for overnight stays in Wales. Wales Online readers are very sceptical that the scheme will be beneficial to Wales. Although the Welsh Government is introducing the law, each of Wales' 22 councils will decide whether to implement it, and must first hold a public consultation with residents, meaning the earliest possible introduction would be in 2027. Mr Drakeford had previously announced an increase in the charge. Initially, the levy was to be applied at one of two rates to anyone staying overnight, regardless of accommodation type, including Airbnb, Vrbo, short-term lets, hotels, hostels, and campsites. Two charge levels were proposed: 75p per person per night for hostel and campsite stays, and £1.25 per person per night for all other accommodations. However, concerns were raised by groups such as the Scouts, who argued the policy could lead to "unintended consequences" affecting organisations like theirs. In response, Mr Drakeford announced that exempting under-18s from the lower levy rate would result in higher charges for others, increasing from 75p to 80p and from £1.25 to £1.30 per night. Mr Drakeford also revealed some additional policy changes. There is a six-month timeframe for local authorities to implement the tax following the initial decision. individuals will be required to pay the levy at the point of departure from their accommodations, rather than upon arrival and the Welsh Revenue Authority will be tasked with managing the collection process. Mr Drakeford announced an amendment that introduces a six-month transition period commencing when a local authority declares its intention to implement the levy. He explained: "This means there will be additional time over and above that allowed in the original bill for the sector to prepare their systems for advance bookings." Article continues below As it stands, the majority of hospitality providers intend to pass on the additional cost to their customers. Commenter Crazynosaj thinks: 'They are passing the buck down to local councillors, who therefore become unpopular with their constituents (especially if you rely on tourist income). MS's can therefore retain their position, ensuring that those local councillors toe the party line.' Pastcaring replies: 'What they have failed to say is that £1.30 is the base charge and councils can add as much to this as they feel fit. The £1.30 will soon be £5 and higher, another nail in Wales coffin.' Abetterchoice4wales adds: 'I will be staying in England - not paying this tax which will be wasted on trees, buying farms, and giving money to people instead of finding them jobs.' Tannerbanc says: 'All this complexity to raise how much? It will just deter visitors.' Gilwern replies: 'Extra tax?! I think if they take soundings of potential visitors to Wales, then they should be paying them to come!' Gail Oliver agrees: 'Why will people want to holiday in Wales? They have already paid for the holiday, have to pay this extra charge and then be restricted to how fast they can drive. Not much of an incentive is it?' BrynCartwright adds: 'This is nonsense. People coming to Wales are already spending lots of money. Taxing them is totally unjustified.' Bobsmoth writes: 'People from Wales will be hit hardest by this tax. I run a glamping site in Wales and around 70% of my guests are from Wales. So yet again the government is taxing its own people the highest for services they are already paying for through their council tax. A family of 5 would have to pay around nearly £100 extra to stay in Wales for 2 weeks. People in Swansea or say Neath for example would have to pay it, People in Bristol or Swindon for example will just go to Devon.' Incider can't believe it: 'Who in their right mind would want to tax tourists? We should be encouraging them to come here and put valuable money into our failing economy.' Welshrugby retorts: 'Tell the same thing to people from Liverpool who travel to Manchester. It's £2 plus VAT tourist tax in Manchester! Of course an extra £1.30 per night will stop millions coming to our beautiful country, after all someone paying around £400 per person per week to stay here an extra £1.30 will do damage to the bank balance. NOT!' 'I see the anti Welsh government brigade are back out, whinging about anything and everything, 20mph areas (Which is everywhere in the UK) £1.30 per night Tourist tax (Which is more expensive everywhere else in the UK) Hospital waiting times (Which are falling quicker than the rest of the UK) Give it a rest and have a day off.' Article continues below Howie Oliver agrees: 'Where Westminster fails to provide adequate funding, these sorts of taxes become a lifeline for Wales. Many other countries impose a tourist tax, so good news that Wales is following suit. I find it incredible that the Welsh press is not focussing on underfunding by Westminster. The loss of EU funds has crippled Wales - a self-inflicted wound that continues to punish an already poor country.' Mick Bennett states: 'This will be the end of our visits to lovely Wales, not because of the cost, it's the principle. Taxed to visit and spend our money? How would the Welsh people feel if the English did the same? Labour promoting Wales? I don't think so.' How do you feel about the tourist tax becoming a reality? Will it benefit Wales? Have your say in our comments section.
