Renting Your House: Smart Tech

Scott Satori
4 days ago
4 min read

Smart tech can increase the guest experience and protect your investment.

Ready to make your rental “guest-proof” and compliant? Check out our recommendations in our "Fall 2025 Smart Home Buyers Guide"

(Using my affiliate links costs you nothing and helps keep these guides free—thank you!)

Village Automation — install • configuration • training • support

📞 321-300-6369 | ✉️ sales@villageautomation.com | 🌐 villageautomation.com

1) What Airbnb/VRBO actually allow (cameras & monitors)

Airbnb:
- All indoor cameras are banned worldwide (since Apr 30, 2024). Hidden cams were always prohibited. Exterior cameras are allowed only if you disclose their presence and general location on the listing; they can’t monitor indoor spaces or “private” outdoor areas (e.g., enclosed showers). Noise decibel monitors (no audio recording) are allowed in common areas if disclosed. Airbnb+2Airbnb Newsroom+2
VRBO (Expedia):
- Surveillance must be for security only. You must disclose devices and where they cover on the property page (not just a photo). Outdoor cameras covering pools/hot tubs require explicit notice on the listing and in a visible, on-site spot (binder, placard). No surveillance in any area with an expectation of privacy (e.g., bathrooms/bedrooms). vrbo+2help.vrbo.com+2

Recommendation: treat outdoor cameras as required for safety/compliance, and disclose clearly on your listing + in the house manual. Add a friendly line like: “Exterior cameras monitor entries and perimeter for guest safety; no indoor cameras of any kind.”

2) Guest Wi-Fi that just works (and keeps you safe)

Minimum: broadcast three networks (SSIDs) on a mesh system for whole-home coverage:

Owner/Admin (private devices only)
Smart-Home/IoT (locks, cameras, thermostat, leak sensors)
Guest/Renter (isolated from your devices)

A modern mesh (TP-Link Deco, Nest Wi-Fi Pro, etc.) gives consistent coverage and makes separate SSIDs easy. For advanced users, VLANs are the gold standard to isolate traffic; for most owners, separate SSIDs with client isolation is the simple, reliable step-up. (Security folks debate guest/IoT segregation; isolation helps, but some smart gear doesn’t love strict guest networks—mesh systems handle this best.)

House rule: never share your owner password. If a vendor needs access, give them the Guest network.

3) Make logins effortless: Wi-Fi QR coasters & frames

Print a Wi-Fi QR code so guests join by pointing their camera—no typing. Place it:

On coasters near the couch
In a picture frame at the entry or kitchen
Inside the house manual

You can generate codes via your phone (iPhone Shortcuts; Android’s “Share Wi-Fi” shows a QR) or an online generator.

4) Smart front door & basics for every rental

Smart lock with unique, time-boxed codes per booking (auto-expires at checkout).
Video doorbell (disclosed), plus perimeter cameras (disclosed).
Smart thermostat with matched door and window sensors to disable AC when the doors are open.
Scene buttons (e.g., “All Lights Off / Goodnight”) so guests don’t hunt switches.
Labelled chargers and a “Forget Wi-Fi” checkout reminder in the manual.

5) Maintenance safeguards (especially when it’s vacant)

Quiet sensors can prevent expensive surprises:

Water leak sensors (sinks, toilets, water heater, laundry) → phone alerts.
Freezer/Fridge temp sensors → “door left open / temp rising” alert.
Power-outage alert on the fridge circuit + a small UPS on modem/router so alerts keep working during short cuts.
Garage controller you can check/close remotely.
Exterior cameras with smart notifications (people/vehicle) and local storage (to avoid monthly fees).

We’ll group these on the Smart-Home SSID and keep your owner devices separate.

6) Listing compliance & house manual checklist

Your listing (Airbnb/VRBO):

Disclose outdoor cameras and general locations (e.g., “Driveway and front door”).
Disclose noise monitor location/type (no audio, common area only).
State no indoor cameras.
Mention 24/7 quiet hours compliance; device-assisted reminders may be sent.

House manual (first page):

Wi-Fi name & QR code (coaster + frame).
How to lock/unlock (and a back-up mechanical key in a lockbox location for emergencies).
Thermostat basics (normal ranges + energy-saving tips).
Trash days / parking / HOA notes.
Camera & noise disclosure (same wording as listing for consistency).
Emergency numbers + your local contact.

7) Owner tips that prevent guest friction

Auto-provision door codes inside your booking flow to avoid texting passwords.
Use “turnover” routines (all lights on low, temp comfy) that run the hour before arrival.
Place spare QR cards in drawers—hosts misplace these more than you’d think.
Put outdoor camera thumbnails (with arrows to each lens) in the binder; transparency reduces questions.

8) What we install & configure for you (Village Automation)

Mesh Wi-Fi with Owner / Smart-Home / Guest SSIDs, client isolation where appropriate, and a one-page diagram of what’s where.
Smart locks & codes, video doorbell, perimeter cameras (disclosure text provided).
Noise monitor placement & listing language.
Leak / temp / power-loss alerts that still work during short outages.
House manual + QR assets (coasters/frames printable PDF).
Paper instructions you can leave on the counter, and local support if something goes sideways.

Ready to make your rental “guest-proof” and compliant? Check out our recommendations in our "Fall 2025 Smart Home Buyers Guide"

(Using my affiliate links costs you nothing and helps keep these guides free—thank you!)

Village Automation — install • configuration • training • support

📞 321-300-6369 | ✉️ sales@villageautomation.com | 🌐 villageautomation.com

Quick legal note

Marketplace rules can change; follow current Airbnb/VRBO policies and your local recording laws. Airbnb: indoor cameras prohibited; exterior cams and noise monitors allowed with disclosure. VRBO: disclose location/coverage; never in private areas; pool/hot-tub coverage needs explicit notices. help.vrbo.com+3Airbnb+3Airbnb+3