You've probably read at least one of the much hyped Airbnb horror stories, and we don't want to deny that things can go very wrong for hosts, as well as guests. When renting on Airbnb or any other site, use common sense and read the host's--or guest's--reviews. If something looks too good to be true (incredibly cheap even for the local economy, etc), it probably is. Hidden cameras have been a large issue for Airbnb lately. It's clear that they haven't found a real way to prevent hidden cameras or even to deal with it appropriately from a customer service perspective in many instances. There are some great tech articles about how to find hidden cameras in your Airbnb. We'd also suggest sticking with higher end, more professionally run rentals to lower your chances of running into this creepy issue. Guests may be safer and more comfortable staying in a dedicated vacation rental rather than a room in someone's home. Search for "entire home" on Airbnb, or take a look at listings on one of the sites that only list entire homes or apartments like Flipkey or Kid & Coe. Personally, I don't enjoy staying with someone I don't know, so I stay away from bed and breakfast type accommodations, and happily pay a little more for complete privacy. Hosts have a number of ways to weed out bad guests, including setting a high security deposit, and turning off the "Instant Book" setting, so they can screen guests before allowing a booking. You may also want to consider getting a smart lock, so you can hand guests a changeable entry code, rather than your house keys. It's also important to check your homeowner's insurance policy to be sure that possible damage from renters will be covered. Chances are, you'll need to add coverage for this. Some suggest going so far as to run a background check on your potential guest or host, but we think if you're that uncomfortable, you should probably just stick with a hotel. Overall, go with your gut, and don't do anything that makes you uncomfortable to save--or make-- a couple bucks. And if you have a problem as a host or a renter, be sure to contact the booking website, as well as the proper authorities if necessary. Be a squeaky wheel and assert your rights! Reporting people who abuse the system to the booking site, and sharing your experience via reviews help keep the bad apples off vacation rental sites and make the experience better for everyone.