Private surveillance cameras and pleasing the neighbors
Know your state laws before placing cameras in multi-unit buildings
A home resident sets up surveillance cameras, some of which have lenses pointing at the backyard and back door of a neighbor. The neighbor writes into NOLO inquiring about whether this is an invasion of privacy. It’s a valid question for any homeowner, condo owner and/or renter to ask. State laws largely determine what goes and what doesn’t.
For example, in the State of Illinois, “a person may not videotape another without that person’s consent in a restroom, tanning bed/salon, locker room, changing room or hotel bedroom, or in the other person’s residence.” From one property owner to another, this law is pretty clear. But how does one narrow this down in a multi-unit building where tenants (or owners) can feel like they’re being watched entering and leaving their home — regardless of whether the camera is watching everyone? And what if a multi-unit resident makes a big deal about this the way this homeowner did?
ADVERTISEMENT ~ Amazon
As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn a percentage for each purchase with my referral links.
It’s easy enough to wonder why someone would be so paranoid or peculiarly convinced that the condo board (or camera owner) finds them interesting enough to watch all day long. While there is definitely a world of entertainment for reality TV, the average resident coming and leaving is usually pretty dull. But there is a bit of validity to this argument — if the camera owner is indeed spying on them.
Recommended Read: “Old phone, new home surveillance system ~ Taking advantage of free mobile surveillance apps”
If a unit owner or tenant truly believes this is the case, the first step is to bring it to the landlord or condo board. Then find out the reason why the camera is there. If the tenant or owner only seems to take issue with one camera among many — and the other cameras can monitor just as much footage — the accusation becomes suspicious. But if the camera is installed in such a way that it only seems to monitor said person, then the validity of this concern increases.
When neighbors aren’t so neighborly
Sometimes installing a camera makes no difference. My condominium was constantly running into neighbors who didn’t seem to understand that they were neighbors, not residents. This meant parking in our private and paid parking spots to unload their groceries, laundry, furniture and more. This meant them hanging out in our parking spots to drink and chat with friends — other strangers who did not live in our building.