is it legal to install cameras in apartment complexes and fine tenants for wrongdoing?

Question

Tenants at our apt complex are pigs - when they move out, they literally DUMP all kinds of crap. It costs the apt complex money to do huge pick ups and I'm all for the owner charging people for "dumping" but here's my question - can he legally put up cameras/monitors and "trap" people this way? I mean, its the only way to enforce it, but just wondering if that's legal.

Answer 1

Cameras can be installed in public areas. If there is an expectation of privacy, they can't be installed. To be safe, you should advertise the fact that cameras are present, even if the area is public.

Answer 2

It's probably legal ... it's outdoors, right?



What I don't understand is what makes them pigs. Them dumping garbage by the garbage receptacle? If the landlord is offering trash service, and they're only throwing away things from their apartment, then the landlord should cover that. What is an apartment dweller supposed to do with their old couch that they want to throw away if they don't put it in the trash? If he doesn't want to cover it, he should put a provision in the lease, otherwise he can't charge people extra.



No, I live in an apartment complex of pigs, some people will leave garbage in the hallways and stairwells instead of hauling it out. Count your blessings.



**ADDED**



In response to the section where you replied to me ... I'm not a landlord, so I don't know what they have to pay or what arrangements are made for trash pickup. I live in a 100 unit apartment building and some of the apartments are quite large. People leave furniture out by the dumpster all the time. And when the garbage truck comes they throw the furniture and broken TVs right in the back of the truck where the rest of the garbage goes. That's why I'm wondering why you said they " ... ACTUALLY require a different way of disposal." When they actually don't. There's not recycling programs for old furniture, that I'm aware of.



I've lived in other apartments too ... there was never an issue over the disposal of old furniture. The landlords never had a problem with it.



Has anyone tried posting notices around or handing out fliers that tell the tenants they're not supposed to do that? Or maybe your landlord should tell people that large item service costs more, and that they have to make arrangements with the management for disposal of large or unusual items.

Answer 3

If the cameras are in public places then it might be possible. If you are talking about cameras in private places such as in the apartments or in restrooms, then that would be violating the law. Also, the cameras cannot be set up to look into an apartment from a public place, such as setting it up in a courtyard to look into the window of an apartment. The person cannot set up surveilance on people on the chance they might break a rule or even the law. Even to get a warrent to do so would require convincing a judge that these people are breaking the law. Also, for the warrent to work, the police would have to be involved. The landlord could not get a warrent from a judge to spy on people.



What would get this landlord is when some women claim that the landlord is using the cameras to get video of them without their clothes on. There have already been quite a few landlords who have went to jail for trying to do that. It would not take much to make a judge believe that this landlord is trying to do the same thing.

Answer 4

Duncarin is right on. The landlord can withhold a portion of their security deposit, just as if the tennant had trashed the inside of the apartment.

Answer 5

Yep. common areas of a building can be monitored at all times. Just like the landlord can stand in that hallway and watch what goes on whenever he wants.

Answer 6

I would say that if you have cameras in the parking lot then that would be legal. If you have cameras in the apartments then that is illegal and an invasion of privacy. You could be sued.

Answer 7

hell no its illegal and ionvation of privacy.if you talk to the cops and get a warrent of some kind,mabe...............