can my apartments use cameras to surveillance me?

Question

So my apartment complex has just installed security camera's because there has been so many break in's. They have these huge cameras all over the complex, which I have to admit is reassuring, since my apartment was broken into a couple of weeks ago, so I know at least they will be able to see who did it.Well just recently I went into the office, and I was confronted by the manager about a guest that I had visit me. He complained that he has seen him several times and that he needs to do a criminal background check on him, in order for him to be able to continue visiting, even though he does not live in my apartment. Now I was wondering how in the world does he know that he visits me? Because he only visits me after office hours, and he is usually the first one in the office to leave. And then it came to me, that he was using the security cameras to surveillance the complex. And I know it may sound like a harsh allegation, but a friend of his told me after my apartment got broken into that he was in the office and saw who broke into my apartment because he saw the surveillance video. Which is wrong on so many levels because A) he doesn't work in the office and B) it makes me feel like the manager and his friends are getting a kick out of just watching the security cameras and seeing who they can find some dirt on C) why is the manager allowing just random people to take a look at the security camera footage? Now my question is, is he allowed to use the security cameras to watch me and see who's visiting me. I mean it's not like my visitor was stealing or even has a criminal record for that matter. So can he legally do this? Isn't it like an invasion of my privacy?

Update:

I live in Dallas Texas.

Rob · Accepted Answer

sorry to see u have privacy issues.

cameras in common areas including halls
are not to spy on u only.
they are there to spy on criminals drunks
perverts bums etc.
so actual tenants can be safer.

as for Random people viewing tapes,
now that is an illegal issue.
u can get manager in trouble for that.

Bostonian In MO · Answer

You have no expectation of privacy in a public place.  If the apartment management wanted to put the surveillance videos up on YouTube it would be perfectly legal.

The landlord cannot control your visitors.  As long as your visitors are not actually residing in your unit the landlord has no say.  If he wants to run a criminal background check on any person on the property he is free to do so, however you are under no legal obligation to identify your guests to the landlord.  He would have to figure that out for himself.

Lessismore · Answer

Regardless of why the cameras were put up, if your lease stated no pets, and you go walking by with a dog, you're caught in a lease violation.  If your lease states people staying with you must be put on the lease or have a background check, then do so.

It is a little creepy that you're being monitored by the office.  I don't think you can get evicted for flipping off a camera or two on your way out.  The cameras are legal however.

glenn · Answer

They have the cameras in a common area (on property they own and are responsible for).  There is nothing private in that common area.

The manager has a responsibility to try and protect their residents the best they can.  But I don't think they can require a background check unless your guest stays over so often they meet the criteria of living there.  I think my lease says two weeks.

N · Answer

I didn't notice what city, state you're in, but the answer is yes. Unless there is what is called a two-party law in your state regarding wiretapping, but even then it might be legal to watch you...as long as no audio can be heard or is being recorded. In a famous case in New York a landlord installed a camera in a woman's shower, but the video camera could not record audio. So while he had video of her showering, because there was no sound, he was okay. They changed that law by the way. So it all depends on the laws in your state.

rehak · Answer

Absolutely. This is a natural discipline and virtually a public situation (for the reason of this dialog). Therefore there is not any expectation of privateness. Now, in case you have disorders with digicam placement (maybe there's a technique to inform if you're residence or no longer as a result of the position of a distinctive digicam) then you definately would have a complaint, however no legislation are being damaged.

Trending News

can my apartments use cameras to surveillance me?

6 Answers