Airbnb has a few changes planned starting in April, the latest of which is a ban on indoor security cameras by hosts at their properties, a move that follows its previously announced plan to add a 2% fee for cross-currency bookings.
The camera ban is set to begin on April 30, which will give hosts time to comply with the new rule, the vacation rental properties company said in a website update.
Previously, cameras were allowed in common areas, such as hallways and living rooms, as long as the host disclosed the location on their listing pages and the cameras were clearly visible, Airbnb said. But, after consulting with guests and privacy experts, the decision was made to no longer allow these cameras, it added.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Airbnb said that doorbell cameras and noise decibel monitors are still permitted for hosts to monitor the security of their homes and prevent unauthorized parties, but they must disclose the presence of these devices in their listings pages.
Hosts may not, however, put outdoor cameras where guests have a greater expectation of privacy, such as if the property has a sauna, the company said.
The cross-currency bookings fee, which was announced last month and goes into effect on April 1, applies if you pay using a currency other than the one the host has set for the listing. The fee will be charged on top of all other service fees associated with bookings made on or after that day.
Airbnb also updated its terms of service, effective immediately for all first time users and on March 28 for existing users.
Types of Airbnb fees
Here's a break down of the types of fees you may be charged:
- Nightly price: The rate set by the host for staying at their property.
- Airbnb service fee: A charge for 24/7 customer service.
- Cleaning fee: Some hosts will charge this to cover the cost of cleaning the property after your stay.
- Extra guest fee: Some hosts will charge a fee for each additional guest beyond a specified number.
- Pet fee: Some hosts allow pets to stay at their properties for an additional fee that may be separate from cleaning fees.
- Security deposit: Hosts that manage their listings with a specific software may set a security deposit, which will be communicated during the booking process. You can learn more about Airbnb security deposits here.
- Valued Added Tax (VAT, JCT and GST): This is charged to guests in certain countries. You can learn more about VAT here.
- Local taxes: This is charged based on the location of the host’s listing. You can learn more about local taxes here.
The company's other recent policy changes include the late 2022 launch of its "display total pricing" feature, which allows users to see a full price breakdown of costs before booking.
The feature was introduced amid a raft of complaints about hidden service fees and tasks that customers were expected to do before checking out. Last June, the company was one of several that President Joe Biden recognized for eliminating junk fees and increasing pricing transparency for customers.
Do you need ideas about places to visit? Despite inflation, there are some areas where the dollar is strong. To get the details, check out Kiplinger's cheapest countries to travel to report. In addition, the 24 best travel sites to find deals and save you money may help you with your research.
Related Content
-
Is the GOP Secretly Planning to Raise Taxes on the Rich?Tax Reform As high-stakes tax reform talks resume on Capitol Hill, questions are swirling about what Republicans and President Trump will do.
-
Can the 'Guardrails Approach' Protect Your Retirement Investments?This investing method helps retirees avoid running out of money, even in a highly volatile market.
-
Walmart Week 2025: Exclusive Perks and Deals for Walmart+ MembersWalmart+ Week runs April 28 –May 4 with fuel savings, free express delivery and six months of Paramount+ with SHOWTIME. See all the perks.
-
How to Make Changing Interest Rates Work for Your RetirementHigher (or lower) rates can be painful in some ways and helpful in others. The key is being prepared to take advantage of the situation.
-
Four Reasons It May Be Time to Shop for New InsuranceYou may be unhappy with your insurance for any number of reasons, so once you've decided to shop, what is appropriate (or inappropriate) timing?
-
How to Put Together Your Personal Net Worth StatementNow that tax season is over for most of us, it's the perfect time to organize your assets and liabilities to assess your financial wellness.
-
Bouncing Back: New Tunes for Millennials Trying to Make ItAdele's mournful melodies kick off this generation's financial playlist, but with the right plan, Millennials can finish strong.
-
What Are AI Agents and What Can They Do for You?AI agents promise to be the next big thing in artificial intelligence, but what exactly do they do?
-
Should You Buy an iPhone Now Before Tariffs Hit?Looming tariffs can make an iPhone purchase seem urgent. Here's what to do if you need another phone but want to save money.
-
Here's When a Lack of Credit Card Debt Can Cause You ProblemsUsually, getting a new credit card can be difficult if you have too much card debt, but this bank customer ran into an issue because he had no debt at all.
