Do you as a sitter ask if a client has cameras in their home?

Now a days many, many folks have cameras as a part of their home security system. It has never bothered me personally if they do, but it can't hurt to ask at the M&G, just in case you decide to pick your nose or fix your wedgie during your visits.

Rover's Blog article that goes over questions to ask on a M&G suggest asking if they have a camera, so I think it is becoming more common for people to ask. Especially since most states do not require homeowners to disclose their cameras (unless there is also audio recording since most states make it required for everyone to be aware of that), and people just want to make sure they are doing everything right. I ask for a few reasons, 1) I am pretty animated when I talk to doggos and I don't want to do anything that could be misinterpreted as yelling or being crazy. and 2) For my protection: I've heard of sitters being accused by owners for stealing when they took nothing and I would be more comfortable providing care in a home where there are cameras because I know I will be more protected from false accusations.

It sounds as if your potential sitter makes you uncomfortable in other ways, but I thought you might be interested to know why the other owner required her to "wave at the camera." My sister has a security system with an app for her phone. The camera is motion-sensitive so it's activated when any motion is detected, and she can check on the app who or what is at her home. In other words, it's a security measure that can be monitored in real time when the homeowner is away, to make sure that whoever is in their home has a legitimate reason for being there.

I have had a few clients tell me they had a camera in the house on their own. But I started asking after I did a job and found a camera in the bedroom window facing the room and not outside. They had it behind the blinds and kept them open all the time. I did not see it at first and creeped me out since I was changing in the bedroom. I started changing in the bathroom after that and closed the blinds to block it even more.

I always conduct myself as if they do. If you need to pass gas or pick boogies..go to the bathroom. If they have cameras in the bathroom, I believe that is illegal. But yea, for her to ask like that..is quite iffy, to say the least.

One of my clients has a Nest Cam in their home. I didn't see it during the Meet & Greet and never thought to ask, but it's pointed at their dog's kennel, so I just figured it that it was to let them occasionally check in on him (and to watch me smack myself on the head that one time I poked my head in there to make sure he didn't vomit on anything). I also used to work electronics at Target though and most of the people who buy those things are doing it for overall peace of mind and not just one specific use of it.

For house sitting I always ask. I just say, "I don't want to embarrass you or me." So far I've only had a few clients with cameras inside the house, and never in the bedroom or bath. If there are cameras in those places, I would ask permission to turn them off.