Being a landlord you may face challenges while managing your rental property. Even after trying for several times there is a chance of encountering with bad tenants. You never know how they are going to manage your property and pay their rent every time or conduct any illegal activity in your residence. You will have to keep your eyes on them every time. But, you cannot watch your tenants always, especially when you have two or more numbers of properties to manage and maintain.
The best way to protect your Baltimore rental property is to use security cameras. This can be a major benefit to a landlord. While there are good tenants who keep their rental property well-maintained and more secure, there are some who can be seen as an invasion of privacy. At such time surveillance of the property can be considered, but it is considered illegal if it’s doing by someone who is not the property owner. Well, spying your tenants in your rental apartments is prohibited. It is only legal to use camera in the public areas.
About Audio Recording
In this article we will share where the cameras can and cannot go, but before that something even more important is to know about the audio. Because, it is even more of an invasion of privacy than monitoring them with a camera. There are a limited number of conditions that allow you for audio recording so, it’s good to completely avoid it unless it becomes an absolute necessity. If you think it’s really necessary for you to have audio surveillance then you should consult an advocate. You can use or install any audio equipment if the advocate approve its usage.
But, if we talk about laws then using the security camera equipped with audio is not 100 percent illegal, but still you should not put a security camera with a microphone until it become necessary for you and your attorney has approved it.
Types of Cameras
Let’s get back to the main topic of camera placement. So, there’s two categories of camera placement – Indoor cameras and Outdoor cameras.
Outdoor Cameras
Well, there are no certain rules for placing outdoor cameras outside your rental property in Baltimore. You have the full rights to watch over public properties. Install cameras that monitor the outdoor portions of your rental property. But, you cannot put a camera pointing your neighbors’ backyards. If your neighbors are not feeling good with the installation of camera, they are feeling uneasy and threatened about the camera then you will have to take it down or reposition it. If you will refuse to do it then your neighbors may go and ask for an injunction from the court. This doesn’t mean you will go to the jail, but yes you it could cost you a lot. And the laws don’t say anything about the front yards.
Interior Cameras
The logic behind the law for interior cameras is pretty much the dame. You cannot invade someone else’s space. As you have given the legal authority to your tenants to occupy space in your premises so, you should respect their privacy. You cannot angle cameras which can record the private lives of the tenants. So, where you can put the cameras inside the rental property can be simply known by thinking about a few questions. If you will place a camera in such way that it can record naked people then you should never put the camera there. And if it’s not the case then you’re probably okay. This means you can install the camera in the lobby, mail rooms, public hallways, elevators, etc. But, placing camera in bedrooms, bathrooms and changing rooms are prohibited.
If you inform the prospective tenants that they will be under surveillance and recorded, and they elect to move in and have conversation in areas where security cameras are located then you will count as consent. However, you should get familiarize yourself with state and federal laws and just mention in your lease that proves your tenants were already aware of the surveillance.
Should You Install Security Cameras for Rental Properties?
If you think that installing security cameras is the best solution for you to watch the activities of your tenants and keep your property safe then you should not think too much and discourage yourself from securing your rental. Because there are many other options you can consider if you are worried about potential legal implications.
Alternatives of Security Cameras
Installation of fake security cameras
This will work same as the real security camera. Your tenants will not know if the camera is real or not, especially it is with green blinking light that makes it look real. So, this will help you to keep your property safe. And if you are installing it towards your neighbor’s property then make sure to talk and let them know it’s not real so they shouldn’t have any issues.
Security lighting
You can use motion sensors in your walkway or near the front door, this will offer you a great chance to catch the burglar. This will only turn on when necessary.
Wireless alarm systems
This is also an alternative to keep eyes on your tenants. This is less expensive and also doesn’t require too much maintenance. Most wireless alarm kits come with a main console, and it send an alert when someone is in your property. Well, the best part of this system is that you can sync it with your smartphone so that you will always know what’s going on at your property.
Reference the Law
If you want to keep your tenants in check and protect your property then research the legal specification for security cameras for rental properties in your state and if you have any doubts then you can talk to a lawyer.
Hope the above-discussed things will have helped to know whether you can install camera in your Property Management Services.
