L.E. from New Haven County writes:
Dear Mister Condo,
Recently my request to place a security camera outside the front door of my condo was rejected by my condo association. Our by-laws state that no items can be attached to the outside of the units however the board did not bother to ask for any details on the planned camera. Are there any state/federal rules such as those on flying flags or attaching satellite dishes that would override the association by-laws? Thank you.
Mister Condo replies:
L.E., there are no laws allowing you to place a security camera outside of the front door or your condo as far as I know. In fact, there are laws that protect the association from allowing you to do so, which you have alluded to. The association owns the unit exterior and can determine what you can or cannot attach to it. Also, your neighbors have privacy rights so that you may not film who comes and goes in their units. You may be quite harmlessly filming your front door but the field of vision for the camera may also include a neighbor’s window. Heaven forbid your neighbor then sue the association for allowing you to film inside your neighbor’s window. You can see how this is a potential problem for the association. What many of your fellow condominium unit owners are doing is placing security cameras inside their homes so that, God forbid, an intrusion occurs, the culprits are filmed in the act. You are well within your rights to film anything you’d like inside of your unit. Stay safe!
Laws that Allow Video Cameras Outside of Condo?: http://t.co/82WU5Y8h5F
RT @AskMisterCondo: Laws that Allow Video Cameras Outside of Condo?: http://t.co/FsGKBUDDIh
RT @AskMisterCondo: Laws that Allow Video Cameras Outside of Condo?: http://t.co/FsGKBUDDIh
The issue is security. The association must demonstrate — or be able to demonstrate — that it is honouring its obligation to maintain the safety and security of its residents.
Hi!
I must walk past the other condo owners door, in a hallway to get to my unit. Are they allowed to put a video camera on their door?
They HOA did update the bylaws saying owners can. I feel very violated walking past the camera with this being the only way, and it is a common area.
Virginia
S., if the HOA put in a rule or by-law that allows video cameras on the exterior of units, there is likely little you can do about it. Common areas are not private areas. Now if a unit owner mounted a camera in such a way that it was aimed at a window of another unit, that might be considered a violation of personal space and could be challenged. The bottom line is that video surveillance is all around us all the time. As long as no one is aiming a camera into your unit, it is likely that there is little to be done. All the best!