Airbnb host had installed a see-Through mirror near to bath and bed rooms !

percbog

What about a see through mirror ? That would be no different to finding a hidden camera, would it ? 

The Airbnb I recently rented in France with my family had a mirror installed at the end of a corridor off which were our bedrooms, bathroom and toilet room. 

The mirror was a see through film, that’s looks like a mirror  on “our” side but could allow the corridor to be view through the other side !

When I cupped my hands around my eyes and looked through the mirror (/our) side, I could clearly see another room on the other side. 

I raised this with the host - I referred to a one-sided mirror, which might have been lost in translation as she only referred to the room being unused. 

That might be the case but nothing would prevent a person viewing people coming and going in the corridor (from bathrooms and bedrooms) and being able to move out of the way long before one of us looked through the mirror -  As I say, this is no different to a hidden camera being in place in terms of what it’s existence would enable . 

Any advise as to the legality of the mirror, my rights to claim a refund (either though insurance, or Airbnb, or what Airbnb’s position is or should be in on this, would be hugely appreciated.

Thanks ! Per

swingaloo

I dont understand why you think you should get a refund. You used the accommodation.  Presumably the host was not at the property with you?
You were all family and were aware of the mirror. Its no different to if the corridor had had a window at the end of it. 
The film was probably put on the glass to give a bit more privacy. If the glass had been a door which could have be opened would you still want a refund. 
In any house people pass from bedroom to bathroom and can be seen by others.  Its entirely different to having a camera installed.
I really dont understand what your issue is.

FlorayG

Did you stay after you discovered it? I would think in that case you have no claim as you accepted it

percbog

Hmm … Some people don’t think it’s odd to be in what is advertised as a totally separate property, into which the host or anyone else have any access rights whatsoever, with an expectation of complete privacy - And then discover a mirror at the end of a corridor, which it turns out enables anyone in that (totally separate ) property  to see fully into that corridor (reminder: from which totally private access to bedrooms and bathrooms is expected) as though it were a window, whilst unsuspecting guess go on assuming (as they have seemed to ) that it’s just a mirror. 

Maybe I did not adequately explain that the other side of the mirror is a totally separate property with zero access rights (as private as a neighbouring flat would be) - Certainly described that way on the Airbnb  website. 

It’s definitely no different to a mirror in an ensuite hotel room that allows the hotel to see into an area outside the bathroom with no notice of that to the guest. 

I didn’t “accept it” at all after staying one more night  (either in my mind or, I’m sure, in law,) just had little alternative but to raise it with the host who didn’t respond . 

Anyways - I guess good to get alternative perspectives!

p00hsticks

swingaloo said:

Its no different to if the corridor had had a window at the end of it. 

Well, in (slight) support of the OP I'd argue that it IS different.

 Transparent windows are quite obviously windows, so you are immediately aware that you may be overlooked.

From the sound of it until the OP went right up close to it they were under the impression that this was a mirror, and so it wasn't at all obvious that it was possible it could be viewed from the other side.

 I agree that the OP has no right to a refund as they stayed, but in their shoes I'd be leaving feedback to point out to other potential guests that the 'mirror' is actually a window, and perhaps suggest to the host that they install a curtain that could be pulled over it.

swingaloo

The OP's posts are not very clear. I didnt realise it was an external window so anyone could see in from the outside.

Saying a mirror at the end of a corridor threw me as I thought it was similar to having a glass door at the end of the corridor. Very confusing.

percbog

A mirror is similar to a glass door ? 

I full expect at to get a refund as I was staying in a rental with a weird feature that I wasn’t made aware of - I didn’t “accept” it but staying one more night - I’ll post the outcome :)i

“The mirror was a see through film, that’s looks like a mirror  on “our” side but could allow the corridor to be view[ed] sic. through the other side !” 

..? 

bagand96

Do you have any proof that it was a 1-way mirror that allowed full view from the other side?  (Did you gain access to the other apartment to check?).  It could be that it was double sided mirror film, but because it's only a thin film it is possible to see through when very up close as you describe?  It could have been exactly the same view from the other side as you had.

Caz3121

if you are concerned about it can you just put a towel over the mirror?

TELLIT01

My interpretation of what the OP describes is a one-way mirror where their activities could be viewed secretly from another room.  I'm assuming that once they discovered the mirror they covered it to prevent anybody watching them.

I would certainly complain to AirBnb and let them know they have a very strange member.  Presumably the OP can put up a review of their stay.

Hoenir

percbog said:

The mirror was a see through film, that’s looks like a mirror  on “our” side but could allow the corridor to be view through the other side !

Did you verify this?