When you rent a place to live, you want to feel safe. At the same time, you also want to feel free to go about your life without others seeing everything that you do. Thus, if a landlord puts up cameras, you might question if they are justified and if they’re even legal.
Landlords want to protect their premises and their tenants, so some cameras make sense. Not only can cameras act as a deterrent to potential thieves or aggressors, but they can help capture evidence if someone does break into a property and steal things or attacks someone.
Is the area public or private?
Tenants are entitled to privacy within their apartment or house, so a landlord should not put cameras inside them.
Landlords can, however, place cameras in public areas. Most tenants are so used to having cameras in public places that they are unlikely to be bothered by them and will probably appreciate the security they provide. Here are some questions to consider.
Is it capturing anything it shouldn’t?
A camera installed in a public area that is capturing someone inside their home is not OK. Cameras in elevators with a microphone that records private conversations are also prohibited. It’s as much about what the camera records as it is about where it is situated.
Are the tenants aware of the presence?
To prevent problems, it’s best if landlords make tenants aware of where the cameras are by indicating it in the rental agreement. Hidden cameras could lead to problems.
Well-written lease agreements help both parties to understand their rights. It’s wise to have legal guidance when you create or modify a lease agreement. This can help you avoid potentially costly issues in the future.
