Can a Landlord install security cameras to monitor outside, Front Yard, Back Yard, Driveway, Porch, Main Entrance to the property? Can that be done in a Single Family house when you have tenants?

What are the legal codes, laws, rights of landlords and rights of tenants?

With cameras getting cheaper, getting wireless, easy to install, easy to connect on Wi Fi and easy to operate through remote mobile app; it is very effective means of checking on a property (not on tenants) but on would be intruders, thieves, Porch Pirates, Waste Collectors and Food Deliveries. The cost benefit is good but I am worried about legality of use of such cameras. Yet, I see their increased use in apartment complexes all over but was not sure of single family Landlord's use.

Please share your experiences.

Will the video be admissible evidence in court? I couldn’t say. The defense attorney will certainly try to have the video declared inadmissible evidence.

Thank you all for all responders.

The surveillance may or may not have a legal standing in court. The objective is to keep an eye on property to better manage.

This is sort of Rooming house where I have 3 units that are part of same house with 3 independent individual single tenants, 3 separate entrances and 3 kitchens.

Yes, I agree that there is no need to micro-manage and if there is that desire to micro-manage then it is time to change the tenant. Here, I do not know if I really have a need to change the tenant unless I monitor my house for possible misuse by these individuals.

The question is, am I allowed to install cameras to monitor the mentioned areas?

Thanks Robert.

I have put sign in front yard, back yard and at the main entrance door that Video Surveillance is used. The only difference is, an intruder who would like to locate the camera (in order to block or disable it) will not get to see it, as the camera is tiny, wireless and not easy to notice even for a trained eye.

I am not monitoring my neighbor's house but I see those in far distance. It is very difficult to completely avoid them without sacrificing my intended view. Is neighbor's house (at a distant) allowed?

Camera to spy on people or protect people?

Similar reasoning when you shoot someone. Always "I was in fear of my life".

I have put signs all around the property and near prime visible places "Camera in Use" or "Property monitored by Security Cameras, enter at your risk".

My tenants are aware of existence of cameras and are already monitoring through their mobile app.

I had to install these cameras as one of the three tenants turned out to be bad and we wanted to make sure that we do not get affected by his illegal activities. We have filed for evictions but unfortunately, all evictions are On HOLD for last two months and will be On Hold for some unknown time in the future.

Depending on your state, the situation MAY be more complicated than simply "reasonable expectation of privacy".

CA for example forbids recording of confidential conversations without consent, under penalty of $2,500 per violation, or imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, or in the state prison, or by both that fine and imprisonment. Thus, you may find it useful to disconnect an audio feed. CA also has specific laws that limit capture of certain employee behavior.

I have seen articles by lawyers suggesting that a camera capable of recording activity involving an automobile would likely be considered invasion of privacy.

Another issue concerns the use of the tape (file). If the owner of the tape seeks to utilize the tape in ways like seeking some illegal gain, then the owner may need to be concerned about using the tape to negotiate any kind of legal compromise. Also, there is a difference between ILLEGAL conduct and private conduct which may not be illegal, but merely confidential. I heard of a case that involved a party in a divorce action seeking to obtain videos utilized by a hotel in an effort to obtain increased custody rights against the other spouse. The husband sued the hotel, because the holder of the video seemed to go beyond its legitimate use of the purposes of providing security in favor of assisting a party in litigation and thus liability attached.

Also, many local and county governments require landlords to acquire a permit before installing security monitoring equipment. It is important to check with your local jurisdiction.