Can a landlord prevent me from putting a security camera on my front door in a shared hallway?
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Can a landlord prevent me from putting a security camera on my front door in a shared hallway?
We have had many issues with our neighbor, who happens to be our landlord’s grandson. I am looking at installing a security camera above my front door to document all of the stuff that goes on, encase the courts get involved. Can the landlord tell me no? Is it illegal for me to put a camera up?
Asked on January 23, 2019 under Real Estate Law, New Jersey
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 5 years ago | Contributor
Yes, a landlord can refuse to allow you to do this. You lease the space inside your rental unit and can control that space (within reason; you cannot renovate it without permission, cannot damage it, etc.). But you have no rights to the space outside your rental unit, such as space in a hallway, stairwell, a porch or stoop, foyer, etc. You have no right to place or install anything in any part of the landlord's propety other than the part you specifically lease and have sole possession of.
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