A Simple Security Tip for Lodge Owners
Owning a holiday lodge is a fantastic investment, and most owners want to make sure their property stays safe, secure and well looked after when they’re not there.
Following on from a couple of major security incidents on park this weekend, would like to make a suggestion, to keep your property safe, as well as having evidence of any rare wrongdoings, should it be needed.
One small addition some owners have had, and are having installed an
external security camera. This isn’t something that’s required, but it can provide a little extra reassurance when you’re away from your lodge.
Why Some Owners Add External Cameras
Holiday lodges can sometimes sit empty between visits or bookings, so having the ability to quickly check the outside of the property from your phone can be helpful.
External cameras can assist with things like:
•. Seeing when guests arrive or leave
•. Checking the lodge between stays
•. Monitoring outdoor areas such as decking or entrances
•. Having reassurance that everything around the lodge looks normal
Modern systems are usually compact, easy to install and can be accessed through a simple smartphone app.
External CCTV Cameras
Many owners choose to install
small outdoor CCTV cameras, which is ideal for above or near the front door. Sometimes with a
built-in floodlight, mounted on the outside of the lodge. These types of cameras should cover areas such as the front entrance, access paths or decking areas.
They are designed to monitor the outside of the property and can provide motion alerts and video footage if activity is detected.
Covering the Front and Rear of the Lodge
Where cameras are installed, owners often position them to cover:
• The front of the lodge (entrance area)
• The rear of the lodge (decking or access paths)
This allows owners to see activity around the outside of the lodge while keeping the inside completely private.
Respecting Guest Privacy
If you decide to install external cameras, they should always be positioned responsibly. Cameras should only cover outside areas and should never face inside the lodge or towards private spaces where guests would expect privacy.
It’s also important that guests are informed if external cameras are present, ensuring everything remains transparent and compliant with booking platform guidelines.
We already have in place within our booking terms that CCTV recording devices may be in use and are only looked at if there have been any reported issues.
Very Recent Examples
In the first incident, a guest severely damaged a lodge, causing tens of thousands of pounds worth of damage. The guest denied responsibility and, unfortunately, the police were unable to prove who caused the damage, so no further action could be taken. Had a security camera been in operation, it would have clearly shown the housekeeping team leaving the lodge and that the guest was the only person to enter afterwards. This evidence would have made it far easier to establish responsibility.
In the second incident, the lodge did have CCTV installed, with Ring Floodlight cameras positioned at both the front and rear of the property. The footage clearly showed guests entering and leaving the lodge while smoking and also captured them adding bubble mixture to the hot tub. It also showed the guests leaving the property later than the permitted check-out time and exiting the lodge grounds with cigarettes already lit.
This footage provided clear evidence which allowed us to present a strong case to both the guests and the booking agent, enabling us to recover the full costs for additional cleaning and damage caused during the stay.
Just an Optional Recommendation
Every owner manages their lodge differently, and many properties operate perfectly well without any cameras at all.
However, for owners who like the idea of being able to quickly check their lodge remotely, a small external CCTV camera can be a simple and practical addition that provides extra peace of mind.
Should you wish to have this, Devon Holidays can assist in getting them installed, and providing you with access should you require.
