is it legal for a landlord to plant a hidden camera in a tenant’s home?
May 13, 2009 by Surveillance Tips and Advice
Filed under More Surveillance Answers
Can you answer my3babez’s question about Surveillance?:
I feel that my landlord has been spying on me. I noticed that some things were moved around in my home, after I had been gone for a while. Is it legal for a landlord to put a hidden camera in their tenant’ home?
4 Channel Surveillance Dvr
I feel that my landlord has been spying on me. I noticed that some things were moved around in my home, after I had been gone for a while. Is it legal for a landlord to put a hidden camera in their tenant’ home?
4 Channel Surveillance Dvr
Surveillance Feedback: No, it is not legal!
Surveillance Feedback: I don’t know if it’s legal, but I DO know it’s unethical! If you really feel that they are spying on you, than maybe you should confront them.
Surveillance Feedback: No it is not legal. You can put one inside your own house, but no one else can legally do that. If you can find the camera, call the Police, let them have it. File charges on him, then after he is found guilty, sue his pants off.
Surveillance Feedback: No that is highly illegal and really scarey.
If you have proof…I would SUE SUE SUE his ass…and I am FAR from a sue happy person.
I would OWN that rental property!!
Surveillance Feedback: No it is not legal. It is also illegal for the landlord to enter your apartment with out giving you notice. Are you sure their aren’t other issues here? Are you sure you aren’t imagining things, thinking people are monitoring you and moving things around while you are gone is a sign of schizophrenia.
Surveillance Feedback: No its not! Go to the police!
Surveillance Feedback: No, not inside. Outside, yes, but not inside.
Surveillance Feedback: Definitely not!
Surveillance Feedback: no it’s not.Set up a camera of your own it’s the only way anything can be done
Surveillance Feedback: not only is it illegal but if caught he could go to jail for a very Long time. but you would have to prove your landlord put it there. I worked at a place that the owner was caught spying thru a hole he made in the wall between his office and the girls bathroom. a woman got suspicious and looked close in the mirror and found the hole, he was tried and convicted and went to jail for 7 yrs.
Surveillance Feedback: Yes! It’s called invasion of privacy. Just because you rent from him, you do not give up your right to privacy. If he did that, he’s a worthless scumbag. Go to legal services and sue him, but you’ll need proof.
Surveillance Feedback: It’s illegal. It’s only legal if the landlord tells their tenants about the camera.
Surveillance Feedback: no it is definately not legal. but you can put a hidden camera in your house if you think someone has been sneaking around when you’re not there. sounds creepy. ever see the movie Sliver?
Surveillance Feedback: It depends on your State laws. Some states allow it, but with strict guidelines that must be followed. Check with your local Public Safety/Police/Sheriff’s Office and ask them.
In most cases where it is permitted, the landlord must have probable cause to put a camera in a home without the tenant’s knowledge.
On th other hand, if you think your landlord is entering your home without proper notice, there are no laws that prevent YOU from putting a camera in to catch him/her in the act. You can recover damages for that, not to mention force him/her to break your lease so that you may move elsewhere.
Surveillance Feedback: absolutely not legal
Surveillance Feedback: It is highly illegal and scary and disgusting!
Step 1: Try to find that camera. There is equipment you can buy to locate electronic surveillance.
Step 2: Call the police immediately so he cannot remove the camera.
Step 3: Sue his ass off! Own that rental property and any others he has!
Keep us posted if you find out anything!
Surveillance Feedback: No, it is not legal unless you specificly agree to it. Being a “hidden” camera I am guessing you did not want or know about it.
This is an invasion of privacy.
If stuff was moved, it is possible he was getting in and looking around and not with a camera but in person. Most states have rules and there are nationwide rules about renter privacy. Just like the landlord is not allowed to enter you home without prior consent AND notice. Some states will not allow them to enter without you being present.
Confronting him might not work well, it might not be him doing it. Maybe do some “counter” survalliance? get a hidden cam and recorder of your own, they are pretty cheap, face it towards the front door, or intersection he needs to go thru if he comes thru either front or rear door. If you have evidence he is doing it, call the police or confront him with a copy of the video. But be ready for him to possibly try to evict you….(lot of legal to try to stay there even if he did not have the right to do it, check with local renter attorney).
Surveillance Feedback: i don’t think so. but i’m not certain- it may have to do with what the purpose of the camera was. but i’m guessing that if it didn’t come up in the contract then it’s not okay
Surveillance Feedback: they are allowed to come in and do routine maintenance..maybe some things got moved in the process..I don’t know what was moved but yes, it’s very illegal…u will have to PROVE it before anything can happen and technically it’s your word against theirs unless you have proof
Surveillance Feedback: no it isn’t….
coz it affects tenants right to enjoy the property, which is in his possession
You may want to talk to an attorney in your area regarding the legality of your landlord placing a camera in your house. I would suggest getting your own surveillance equipment, thus allowing you see if anyone is entering your home. Also, go to your local spy store and get a camera detector. It will help you find any unwanted cameras in your home. Also, check each power outlet. Trace all cords to the product that it is associated with to see if any strange wires are attached to products that you don’t own or havent purchased.