What You Need to Know About Security Cameras For Your Rental

Being the owner of a rental property comes with many challenges. You’re not always sure if your tenants will pay their rent on time, if they’ll treat your investment property right, or if they will conduct illegal activities in your residence. While thorough tenant screening does a lot to reduce these risks, nothing is guaranteed. However, one concrete way to better protect your property from theft and vandalism is to install security cameras for your rental.

Key Takeaways

• Landlords can generally use security cameras at rental properties, but camera placement and recording practices must comply with applicable privacy and surveillance laws.
• Cameras should not be positioned to monitor areas where tenants have a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as inside an occupied rental unit.
• Maryland has strict laws governing audio recording, so landlords should be especially cautious when using security cameras with audio capabilities.
• Properly positioned exterior or common-area cameras may help deter theft, vandalism, unauthorized entry, and other security concerns.

Contents of This Article: 

Many retail stores use security cameras on their properties as a way of protecting their business. And we always suggest you look at your rental property as a business. However, there is some growing concern from tenants over the presence of security cameras outside and inside your property.

Today, we’ll look at some of the most important things to consider before installing a security system for your rental. 

Can You Install Security Cameras for Your Rental?

Landlords can generally use security cameras at rental properties, but where and how those cameras are used is subject to privacy, surveillance, and recording laws. However, this does not come without its limitations. For instance, you are not allowed to install a visual surveillance camera in private areas without a person’s consent. This may include places such as dressing rooms, bathrooms, and bedrooms. The same rules also apply to still shots captured via a camera.

Landlords may generally have more flexibility to use visible security cameras in exterior or common areas where tenants do not have a reasonable expectation of privacy. However, whether surveillance is lawful depends on where the camera is located, what it captures, and applicable state and local laws. Cameras should never be positioned to intentionally monitor areas where tenants reasonably expect privacy, such as the interior of their rental unit. Property owners should consult a qualified local attorney before installing surveillance equipment.

Secretly recording tenants inside their rental home can create serious privacy and legal concerns. Maryland law restricts certain forms of visual surveillance involving private residences and areas where individuals have a reasonable expectation of privacy. Landlords should avoid placing cameras inside occupied rental units and consult an attorney before implementing any surveillance system.

That’s why it is important to discuss surveillance laws with an experienced attorney before installing surveillance cameras inside your rental. Landlords should also consider whether surveillance equipment or policies should be disclosed in the lease or other rental documents and consult a qualified attorney regarding any applicable disclosure or consent requirements. In many cases, properly positioned exterior or common-area cameras may address legitimate security concerns without intruding on areas where tenants reasonably expect privacy.

What About Audio Recording?

Many security cameras come with audio recording as well. However, most states have strict wiretapping laws in place preventing the secret audio recording of private conversations, such as the ones you would expect to take place within a rental property residence.

Maryland has strict laws governing the recording of private conversations. Under the Maryland Wiretap Act, recording an oral communication generally requires the prior consent of all parties when the communication falls within the protections of the law. Because security cameras may automatically capture conversations, landlords should use caution with audio-enabled surveillance systems and consult a qualified attorney about applicable recording laws.

Even when cameras are installed in permissible exterior or common areas, landlords should be particularly cautious about enabling audio recording.

Why Use Security Cameras?

There are plenty of benefits to using security cameras on your rental property, whether it is occupied or not.

Take a look at some of the best reasons why, despite the complex legalities you must familiarize yourself with, using a surveillance system is helpful:

• Document Property or Security Issues- Properly positioned exterior or common-area cameras may help document property damage, unauthorized entry, or other legitimate security concerns. Any surveillance and related lease enforcement should comply with applicable laws and be applied consistently to all tenants.
• Monitor Unauthorized Entry- Properly positioned cameras may help document unauthorized individuals entering restricted areas or potential security incidents around the property.
• Vacancy Protection- When your property is vacant, it is vulnerable to theft and vandalism. Video surveillance may help deter these activities or provide documentation if an incident occurs. In addition, it helps reduce costs associated with vacancy issues like property damage, theft, or illegal use of the residence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can landlords put security cameras around a rental property?

Landlords can generally install security cameras in appropriate exterior or common areas, but whether a particular camera is permissible depends on its location, what it captures, and applicable state and local laws. Cameras should not monitor areas where tenants reasonably expect privacy.

Can a landlord put cameras inside a rental unit?

Landlords should avoid placing surveillance cameras inside occupied rental units. Tenants generally have a reasonable expectation of privacy inside their homes, and recording them may violate privacy or surveillance laws.

Can rental property security cameras record audio in Maryland?

Maryland has strict laws governing the recording of private conversations. Under the Maryland Wiretap Act, recording a protected oral communication generally requires the prior consent of all parties. Landlords considering audio-enabled cameras should consult a qualified attorney about their specific system and circumstances.

Where can landlords generally place security cameras at a rental property?

Landlords generally have more flexibility in exterior and common areas where tenants do not have a reasonable expectation of privacy. However, factors such as camera angle, location, audio capabilities, and what the camera captures can affect whether surveillance is permissible. Landlords should review applicable laws before installing cameras.

Protect Your Property With Professional Management

Altogether, using security cameras in your Baltimore rental property can be a good idea. If you’re considering security cameras for your rental property, Bay Property Management Group can help you manage your property while following established policies and procedures. For questions about whether a specific surveillance system complies with local laws, property owners should consult a qualified attorney.

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