Security and Damages

As there will be times (in future), it will just be me or spouse alone in B&B, I have been pondering security AND damage issues. This is my current set of plans:
o Visible security camera for check-in/eating area (this will be the same room), for multiple reasons.
o Approx 11pm each night, take picture of each car/license plate in lot.
o With one digital camera dedicated to each room - after checkout - take picture of the date, and then the various parts of the room and bathroom. Closeups on new damage. Purpose of this is, if legal action, could show the before/after problems caused by a guest on a particular date.
o Stickers on entrances/windows that place is protected by XUZ security.
o Use locks that cause all entrances to lock at all times.
What things do you do to improve security and avoid property damage?

I must be very naïve. We have none of that. Keys and bolt locks. Credit cards.
The worst damage we've had in a year and a half is a broken glass, food spilled and towels ruined by makeup.
Where are you located?
I admit, my location has very little crime in general.

Of course I don't know your area and maybe you have plans for high dollar antiques in your guest rooms, but if I were that uncomfortable I'd look at a different business.
We've run a mom and pop motel for over 20 years, now granted the guests are not in our apartment, I assume you will have a lock on your door, but we're just mom and pop no employees, walk in visitors that paid cash and arrived in the wee hours of morning have been part of our guest list, but damages have been few, over those years we've lost a picture, a few flea market do-dads from the walls and the occasional towel. Problem guests, probably wouldn't run out of fingers trying to count them. Years ago a couple drank too much, argued and broke a chair, a young man broke a window that needed replacing anyway. You may find you will spend more time and money on things that won't be necessary, again I don't know your area, but I think I'd choose a different location if I were really concerned.

I know you are just pulling our leg now Unders.
Where are you opening this B&B, on Rikers Island?

Undersea are you in a high crime rate or war zone? Otherwise get the self-locking Schlage keypad front door lock and keyed bolt locks for rooms. Locks on all of your personal doors of course.
Visible security cameras? That's going to turn off lots of folks, especially those who frequent other B&Bs.
If you actually think that you're going to have time to do 11 PM parking lot photo shoots and various rooms shoots after check out, you have no idea what you're getting into... nor who the typical B&B person is... once again, 'tis all about mutual respect and trust. These folks are our guests, not the enemy!

Is this a B&B in Kandahar?
Seriously? I've never had damage so bad that I have even had to consider charging a guest. The closest we ever came was a guest who dropped something in the sink and cracked the sink. Still CoB and we replaced it on our dime. Unless your prices are so bottom of the barrel that you think you are Motel 6... this is uncalled for.

Jon Sable said:

Is this a B&B in Kandahar?
Seriously? I've never had damage so bad that I have even had to consider charging a guest. The closest we ever came was a guest who dropped something in the sink and cracked the sink. Still CoB and we replaced it on our dime. Unless your prices are so bottom of the barrel that you think you are Motel 6... this is uncalled for..

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Is this a B&B in Kandahar?
LOL...good one John You said it better than me. I was wishing someone would say something. This kind of security for a B & B is outrageous.

i don't think you need all that 'security' ... and taking before and after pics of the room would likely get very old fast.
this sounds more like a hotel than a b&b. your guests want to feel and be safe. you want to feel and be safe. but a lot of visible security measures make me wonder if i'm in a high crime area and may backfire on you.
maybe you are over thinking because you are anxious to get going?
if i were you while you wait for permitting etc., i'd put my energy into creating room manuals and building the website. gathering photos of the area and learning what will pull guests in.

Joey Bloggs said:

I know you are just pulling our leg now Unders.
Where are you opening this B&B, on Rikers Island?

.

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Joey Bloggs said:

I know you are just pulling our leg now Unders.

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JB has the right answer.
"...one digital camera dedicated to each room..." is the giveaway.

Holy cow! If I ever thought I would need to do any of that stuff I would never have opened a B&B!
We're not totally in the boonies, but I've never felt unsafe. Maybe get yourself a big dog. I have two attack cats that will deafen you with purring and cover you with black hair. Definitely an identifying mark in a police line up

Will you be publishing all these "security" measures in your policies for your guests' information?
Do you think that you'll have the time every day for all of this?
Is your proposed location in a high-crime urban area?
I have stayed in a few very nice B&Bs/inns in very large downtown metro areas - that have security cameras at their entrances but this is mostly for the safety/security of their guests or so that they can discern whether there is someone at the door to check-in, delivery person, etc. if they are elsewhere in the building. I don't believe any of them had cameras in their parking areas for the purpose of taking photos of license plates.
I had a damage clause on the registration form which was signed at check-in, but never had anything happen once that was in place. I did have damage prior to that to an antique sofa, but without a detailed up close dated photo (just prior to that guest checking in) of that particular part of that piece of furniture, I would be hard pressed to prove that they caused the damage. I had a guest who had damaged some sheets due to a medical issue and actually came to me to offer to pay for them, which I accepted as it was significant damage.
I think you'll find from most of the experienced innkeepers here that there's rarely any major damage or theft by guests.

but it's not April 1, yet.

seashanty said:

but it's not April 1, yet..

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Hahahahahaha... SS, so true!

seashanty said:

but it's not April 1, yet..

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Oh, fooled me!

seashanty said:

i don't think you need all that 'security' ... and taking before and after pics of the room would likely get very old fast.
this sounds more like a hotel than a b&b. your guests want to feel and be safe. you want to feel and be safe. but a lot of visible security measures make me wonder if i'm in a high crime area and may backfire on you.
maybe you are over thinking because you are anxious to get going?
if i were you while you wait for permitting etc., i'd put my energy into creating room manuals and building the website. gathering photos of the area and learning what will pull guests in..

Click to expand...

The only visible security measure is the camera (and stickers). Photographing a room after guests leave, or a few license plates takes 30 seconds. Obviously having not opened yet, how much or little damage guests can cause to a room in the "inn"dustry is unknown. People often target a motel/B&B for a meth lab or inappropriate activity. As a longterm landlord in half decent areas, and having dealt with drug dealers, bed bugs/fleas introduced by guests, 1 prostitute, ruined carpets, etc. that is what I have to go on.
Much of the reaction here was unnecessary. This is the opposite reaction to the intensive fuming over a guest who possibly brought in an unregistered guest in the other thread. Just depends on which button is pressed.
Definitely plan room manuals.

undersea said:

seashanty said:

i don't think you need all that 'security' ... and taking before and after pics of the room would likely get very old fast.
this sounds more like a hotel than a b&b. your guests want to feel and be safe. you want to feel and be safe. but a lot of visible security measures make me wonder if i'm in a high crime area and may backfire on you.
maybe you are over thinking because you are anxious to get going?
if i were you while you wait for permitting etc., i'd put my energy into creating room manuals and building the website. gathering photos of the area and learning what will pull guests in..

Click to expand...

The only visible security measure is the camera (and stickers). Photographing a room after guests leave, or a few license plates takes 30 seconds. Obviously having not opened yet, how much or little damage guests can cause to a room in the "inn"dustry is unknown. People often target a motel/B&B for a meth lab or inappropriate activity. As a longterm landlord in half decent areas, and having dealt with drug dealers, bed bugs/fleas introduced by guests, 1 prostitute, ruined carpets, etc. that is what I have to go on.
Much of the reaction here was unnecessary. This is the opposite reaction to the intensive fuming over a guest who possibly brought in an unregistered guest in the other thread. Just depends on which button is pressed.
Definitely plan room manuals.
.

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Most of these things won't happen to you, if your price is set high enough. Your price will certainly have a lot to do with who is attracted to your location.
Never had a prostitute in 25 years. Carpets is CoB. Even with BB, how are you going to prove it and if you do, it will cost you in reviews.

undersea said:

seashanty said:

i don't think you need all that 'security' ... and taking before and after pics of the room would likely get very old fast.
this sounds more like a hotel than a b&b. your guests want to feel and be safe. you want to feel and be safe. but a lot of visible security measures make me wonder if i'm in a high crime area and may backfire on you.
maybe you are over thinking because you are anxious to get going?
if i were you while you wait for permitting etc., i'd put my energy into creating room manuals and building the website. gathering photos of the area and learning what will pull guests in..

Click to expand...

The only visible security measure is the camera (and stickers). Photographing a room after guests leave, or a few license plates takes 30 seconds. Obviously having not opened yet, how much or little damage guests can cause to a room in the "inn"dustry is unknown. People often target a motel/B&B for a meth lab or inappropriate activity. As a longterm landlord in half decent areas, and having dealt with drug dealers, bed bugs/fleas introduced by guests, 1 prostitute, ruined carpets, etc. that is what I have to go on.
Much of the reaction here was unnecessary. This is the opposite reaction to the intensive fuming over a guest who possibly brought in an unregistered guest in the other thread. Just depends on which button is pressed.
Definitely plan room manuals.
.

Click to expand...

B&Bs are often targeted for meth labs?
Oh, my!

Jon Sable said:

undersea said:

seashanty said:

i don't think you need all that 'security' ... and taking before and after pics of the room would likely get very old fast.
this sounds more like a hotel than a b&b. your guests want to feel and be safe. you want to feel and be safe. but a lot of visible security measures make me wonder if i'm in a high crime area and may backfire on you.
maybe you are over thinking because you are anxious to get going?
if i were you while you wait for permitting etc., i'd put my energy into creating room manuals and building the website. gathering photos of the area and learning what will pull guests in..

Click to expand...

The only visible security measure is the camera (and stickers). Photographing a room after guests leave, or a few license plates takes 30 seconds. Obviously having not opened yet, how much or little damage guests can cause to a room in the "inn"dustry is unknown. People often target a motel/B&B for a meth lab or inappropriate activity. As a longterm landlord in half decent areas, and having dealt with drug dealers, bed bugs/fleas introduced by guests, 1 prostitute, ruined carpets, etc. that is what I have to go on.
Much of the reaction here was unnecessary. This is the opposite reaction to the intensive fuming over a guest who possibly brought in an unregistered guest in the other thread. Just depends on which button is pressed.
Definitely plan room manuals.
.

Click to expand...

Most of these things won't happen to you, if your price is set high enough. Your price will certainly have a lot to do with who is attracted to your location.
Never had a prostitute in 25 years. Carpets is CoB. Even with BB, how are you going to prove it and if you do, it will cost you in reviews.
.

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Friends had a working girl stay. The guest, when asked the name of his companion, just shrugged. They said it was very awkward at breakfast because the guest ignored his companion completely.
It takes all kinds.
We've been lucky? Never had more than the usual amounts of damage and breakage. Almost everyone I know says the same thing. People, for the most part, act differently at a B&B where they have met with a friendly greeting and a little chat.
Have heard stories of really rude guests. Guests who get drunk and push each other around. But nothing anyone needed to document or call the police in for.
Guests told us the PO's called the police in but no one remembered why. Just that they were surprised.

Momma Smurf said:

undersea said:

seashanty said:

i don't think you need all that 'security' ... and taking before and after pics of the room would likely get very old fast.
this sounds more like a hotel than a b&b. your guests want to feel and be safe. you want to feel and be safe. but a lot of visible security measures make me wonder if i'm in a high crime area and may backfire on you.
maybe you are over thinking because you are anxious to get going?
if i were you while you wait for permitting etc., i'd put my energy into creating room manuals and building the website. gathering photos of the area and learning what will pull guests in..

Click to expand...

The only visible security measure is the camera (and stickers). Photographing a room after guests leave, or a few license plates takes 30 seconds. Obviously having not opened yet, how much or little damage guests can cause to a room in the "inn"dustry is unknown. People often target a motel/B&B for a meth lab or inappropriate activity. As a longterm landlord in half decent areas, and having dealt with drug dealers, bed bugs/fleas introduced by guests, 1 prostitute, ruined carpets, etc. that is what I have to go on.
Much of the reaction here was unnecessary. This is the opposite reaction to the intensive fuming over a guest who possibly brought in an unregistered guest in the other thread. Just depends on which button is pressed.
Definitely plan room manuals.
.

Click to expand...

B&Bs are often targeted for meth labs?
Oh, my!
.

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Momma Smurf said:

B&Bs are often targeted for meth labs? Oh, my!

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That doesn't seem likely.
Maybe a place where no one is on site. Ever. But it's hard to set up a meth lab in a room that is inspected every day. The smell alone would give it away.

Morticia said:

Momma Smurf said:

undersea said:

seashanty said:

i don't think you need all that 'security' ... and taking before and after pics of the room would likely get very old fast.
this sounds more like a hotel than a b&b. your guests want to feel and be safe. you want to feel and be safe. but a lot of visible security measures make me wonder if i'm in a high crime area and may backfire on you.
maybe you are over thinking because you are anxious to get going?
if i were you while you wait for permitting etc., i'd put my energy into creating room manuals and building the website. gathering photos of the area and learning what will pull guests in..

Click to expand...

The only visible security measure is the camera (and stickers). Photographing a room after guests leave, or a few license plates takes 30 seconds. Obviously having not opened yet, how much or little damage guests can cause to a room in the "inn"dustry is unknown. People often target a motel/B&B for a meth lab or inappropriate activity. As a longterm landlord in half decent areas, and having dealt with drug dealers, bed bugs/fleas introduced by guests, 1 prostitute, ruined carpets, etc. that is what I have to go on.
Much of the reaction here was unnecessary. This is the opposite reaction to the intensive fuming over a guest who possibly brought in an unregistered guest in the other thread. Just depends on which button is pressed.
Definitely plan room manuals.
.

Click to expand...

B&Bs are often targeted for meth labs?
Oh, my!
.

Click to expand...

Momma Smurf said:

B&Bs are often targeted for meth labs? Oh, my!

Click to expand...

That doesn't seem likely.
Maybe a place where no one is on site. Ever. But it's hard to set up a meth lab in a room that is inspected every day. The smell alone would give it away.
.

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Google "motel meth lab" and you will get a lot of results.
In some areas of the country (such as TN), it is a huge problem. People often target motels, hotels, inns, as it is not their home and harder to catch someone. You can make a lot of meth in a very short time.
And if someone does make meth even for one night, it can be a disaster for the owner. You have to go through very expensive cleanup and certification before you can use the room again (and the building may be unusable for a time). And I believe it also has to be reported to a prospective future buyer, Not to mention that can turn up in people's search results for the address.