What To Do About Landlords Spying on Tenants

Brian F.
What To Do About Landlords Spying on Tenants

WHAT TO DO ABOUT LANDLORDS SPYING ON TENANTS

There has been an uptick in landlords installing electronic devices for security, yes, but it's also sometimes about finding ways to increase rent and evict tenants. This has led to a lot of questions, some messy happenings, and extra concerns about what's happening on a rented property.

Tennets worldwide want to know if their landlords can install security cameras in their rental units and if these cameras can be installed without tenant consent. 

CAN MY LANDLORD SPY ON ME?

No, they cannot "spy" on you, but they can place cameras on the rental property, and, by nature of living in the space, you might be in the video that's captured. Depending on where you're on the property, what the cameras were installed for, what the video is being used for, when they were installed, and individual state laws.

Cameras and other surveillance devices can be placed on rental properties to protect the landlord's property and tenants. These devices can only be placed in common areas (driveways, front doors, backyards, garages, apartment hallways, lobbies, parking lots, stairwells, and any other areas used for entry and exit where access is relatively uncontrolled) as long as their presence or potential presence is disclosed in the lease.

COMMON AREAS VS. PERSONAL SPACE

While landlords can install cameras in common areas, they cannot do so in places where you have a reasonable expectation of privacy. Places such as laundry rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms, and changing rooms are personal spaces, and there is no valid reason for your landlord to install cameras in them.

Common areas include driveways, lobbies, front doors, backyards, garages, apartment hallways, and stairwells. They're determined by whether or not entry and exit are controlled or not. A storage closet, for example, usually only has one point of entry and one point of exit. It's also usually in a place that won't be the first point of access by someone unauthorized. A storage closet is fairly safe on its own. The front door, however, would be a place where someone unauthorized could breach the security of the home causing issues for the landlord and tenant.

TENANT HARASSMENT IS ILLEGAL

Earlier, it was mentioned that how the landlord used the camera plays a part in whether or not it's legal. Property managers are responsible for ensuring security measures are in place so tenants living under their roof are protected from break-ins, property damage, and, potentially, other tenants. What landlords are not allowed to do is to use the security footage to invade your personal life.

For example, if a landlord approaches you about some footage and starts asking questions about your dating life, guests, or lifestyle, that's tenant harassment, and it's highly illegal. The only appropriate use of camera footage is security surveillance.

HOW TO FIND HIDDEN CAMERS IN YOUR RENTAL PROPERTY

 Any cameras on rental properties cannot be hidden from the tenants. Hidden cameras in your home are out of bounds and a huge invasion of privacy. So that you can rest easy, consider ways to detect hidden cameras. Here are a few options:

HIDDEN INFRARED CAMERA DETECTOR WITH LCD IR FINDER

The Hidden Infrared Camera Detector with LCD IR Finder is one of the best-hidden camera detectors on the market today. This device comes with an LCD screen used to find invisible infrared night-vision LEDs that you can't see with your human eyes.

It's easy enough to use, making it perfect for any renter seeking peace of mind. Just ensure the LCD screen is turned on, hold down the left-hand button for two seconds, turn off the lights, and scan the room. If you tap the light button while your device is active, it will increase the rate of flashing lights to help determine if you're seeing a flickering reflection from one of your decorations or appliances.

If you have this camera detector, you won't need any other equipment. It's compact and handheld and can find cameras from 3 inches to 30 feet. It also has a 10-hour built-in rechargeable battery that should easily fulfill your needs whether you're at home or away.

CAMERA FINDER & WIRELESS BUG DETECTOR

Among hidden cameras, there's the additional concern of audio recording devices being hidden among your possessions. The beauty of the dual search Camera Finder & Wireless Bug Detector is that it's designed to find both cameras and wireless bugs efficiently and accurately.

The compact design makes it easy to take with you on trips so that, after you're confident that your home is secure, you can check every place you stay and have the same amount of security.

This device can detect cameras that are on, off, hardwired, or wireless because it doesn't seek a signal; it locates a special coating that cameras can't be made without. You'll be able to accurately pinpoint hidden camera lenses up to 30 feet away. The built-in RF detector can isolate wireless frequencies in the range of 1 MHz-6.5 GHz.

MULTI-USE RF BUG DETECTOR

If you're equally concerned about cameras and bugs, this Multi-Use RF Bug Detector is just the thing for you. It has the same level of detection as higher-end signal finders without the insane price tag. It's perfect for finding eavesdropping threats, wireless cameras, and GPS trackers that may be on your car or other forms of transportation.

Because the antenna is adjustable with robust 50 MHz to 6.0 GHz sensitivity, you'll be able to do precise searches without interference. The beep, acoustic, and visible LED verification will deliver a dual identification option to identify the specific source of any suspicious transmission.

Unfortunately, there is plenty of access to cheap, illegal bugs in today's market. Their sophisticated signals require a detection device to match. These signals include Bluetooth, WIFI, GSM, and 3G/4G/5G cell phone signals. This bug sweeper scans for these signals and more, including low-transmitting devices utilizing radio frequencies.

WHAT CAN YOU DO IF YOU FIND CAMERAS?

Before you take action, ensure you have carefully read your rental agreement and that it doesn't make allowances for cameras. If the lease does allow for cameras, but you're uncomfortable with how they're positioned and/or where they're pointed, attempt a conversation with the landlord about it. Often, a simple request is all that's necessary for the cameras to be adjusted until you're comfortable.

If you find an indoor surveillance camera that wasn't made clear to you in written form, or if you find a camera that's intentionally hidden from you, call the police. Inform them that you have evidence that your landlord is spying on you from inside your rental home without your express knowledge or permission.

Remember that hidden cameras or cameras in your personal spaces are always illegal, and the lease doesn't matter when it comes to such things.

LEGALITY AND REASONS FOR LANDLORDS PUTTING SECURITY CAMERAS IN RENTAL PROPERTY

A landlord might put up security cameras for several reasons. Unfortunately, keeping the tenants and their guests in check is sometimes necessary. Landlords need to monitor the experience of all the guests, which sometimes means close monitoring. This also helps property managers monitor any damage left by their tenants so that they can get adequate compensation without a lot of hassle.

Holding cleaners and maintenance workers accountable for their actions is crucial for any business. Rental properties aren't excluded from this. Cleaners and maintenance workers aren't something you can just avoid hiring, which means taking steps to protect investments and tenants is a must. Some rental companies feel like that means cameras in the driveway, for others, it means the front door. It has a lot to do with what your landlord is comfortable with.

The obvious reason a landlord might install security cameras is to prevent theft and vandalism. Even the presence of cameras is often enough to prevent most petty acts. Then, if something else does happen, there's footage that acquits the tenants and the landlord alike.

IS IT LEGAL FOR LANDORDS TO PUT SECURITY CAMERAS AROUND THE PROPERTY

YES – IT'S LEGAL TO INSTALL SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS

Even within rental homes, it is legal to place some surveillance cameras around the property. The reasons, location, and use of these cameras all play a significant role in whether they are legal or illegal.

BUT…DEFINITELY NO SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS IN THESE PLACES 

Never let anyone tell you that a lease allows for cameras in private or personal spaces. These spaces include rooms such as bathrooms, bedrooms, and laundry rooms. You are entitled to privacy, just like a landlord is entitled to secure their property.

AND NO HIDDEN CAMERAS IN RENTAL HOMES

A landlord placing hidden cameras in a rental property is never okay. All monitoring should be fully disclosed between tenant and landlord. Finding hidden cameras is cause for great concern.

Understand that SpyCentre is not offering legal advice. All conversational topics covered here are meant to spark research and encourage legal counsel.