Cameras on our Cottage ???

[HawkingsMead]

We have stayed in quite a few cottages over the years and have never had security cameras on them. We are currently staying in a decent cottage hired directly from the owner and it has new security cameras on the front door and the back door and overlooking the back garden (which has an outdoor hot tub in it).

I noticed when we arrived the camera over the front door rotated to view us when we came in which I guess could be a sensor rather than a remote mechanism.

I just can't decide how I feel about this, I think I feel quite creepy especially about the camera overlooking the back garden. The owner lives nearby so could check on the property easily.

What would you think about this?

Sorry just seen your update about the garage, I'd be contacting the owner and asking for it to be turned off. Massively intrusive! If they are reluctant tell them you'll mention how uncomfortable it makes you feel in your online review, I know I wouldn't book a place where the owners thought this was ok. Good luck.

Socks , I would put socks over it for now.

Contact them and ask about it! Tell them you'll put it in a review if they don't turn them off/ let you cover them. I wouldn't start messing about with expensive equipment and risk damaging it, I think you're in the right now but you'd be on shaky ground if you accidentally damaged it without at least speaking to them first!

Have a hunt for the fusebox garage probably won't have it's own supply so you can just the turn the power off for it.

They won't be damaged - they are very robust, probably vandal proof as well as being weather proof. Securing a band around the smooth base won't damage them.

I can't find a recorder box anywhere but if there is one, it's probably in the attic as that is where the wiring going to them would be.

I would call the owner but I'm exhausted, I have a poorly child (chronic illness) and for various reasons it's been a somewhat difficult holiday, which is why I wasn't sure if I was over reacting. I know I should deal with it like an adult but this is our one week to shut down and relax and I just can't face the already over keen owner about this. If he asks why they are covered or if the covers are taken off then I will be forced to deal with it.

Otherwise after we leave I will talk to him about it before mentioning it in the review but I think that Catherine is right - the cameras should be mentioned in the description so that customers feel at ease.

The garage is locked - I could climb a ladder and look in one of the sky lights as they are low down to the edge of the roof but that seems like a lot of work now that the cameras are going to be covered!

Well. If you find cameras that are possibly tracking your every outside move a lesser evil than actually doing some Adulting then go ahead. Worry about them and the mysterious locked garage instead of just phoning the owner and saying your cottage isn't what you expected.
Then let loose on Trip Advisor after an uncomfortable week fretting.

But I will try to find a fuse box - and maybe this is paranoid but what if we have been recorded? Especially in the back garden?

Maybe I should call him as I'm winding myself up now.

Yes, ok, newes, point taken. You are right.

I'm really not trying to browbeat you here, but a holiday is meant to be relaxing and it's not, by the sounds of it!
When we rent a cottage it is ours for that period of time. We abide by certain rules and we have a right to expect the owners to also. A crap,review might save future holiday goers some money but it does bugger all for us, does it?

Disclaimer: I'm not a complete Cottage Nightmare, honest

Its fine, newes, I needed a prod into sanity, it's not difficult to phone him.

I wouldn't leave a crap review because it's an ok cottage - I'd just note that there are 3 security cameras that aren't mentioned in the description of the cottage. The garage needs explaining too as clearly it's habitable except for plumbing.

The cameras are covered now so I feel better at least. I will phone him to discuss it tomorrow.

Actually I have a holiday cottage which has security cameras; it's an old mill in the farmyard, I live in the farmhouse cameras cover the yard, our garden (not the holiday cottages though) and drive. TBH I've never looked at footage of people coming or going but we don't mention it in the description do you think we should?

Wouldn't bother me if it was just to monitor who entered your property as a whole.

Woman if it was just a camera on the front door I probably wouldn't be bothered but this is 3 cameras, 2 of which are able to view and presumably record our activities in our private space.

Also, these are clearly not average security cameras and while this is a decent cottage, it doesn't warrant such expensive security measures which is what makes it creepy.

It really feels intrusive and I wish it had been mentioned in the description.

But if no one has ever mentioned your cameras to you then it's probably not a problem - they don't feel intrusive.

Woman, I would mention it in the information pack ... you might have noticed the security cameras in the yard, this is our home as well as your holiday home and we like to see who is coming and going. Rest assured that we are not weird tracking your movement.

I don't know about the words but I would mention it.

sorry you are feeling a bit wound up on your break Hawkings.