I want to purchase cameras for on-site when I have a vacant unit. With multi family units I do not want to ask a tenant in another apartment to use their wifi. I do not want to install or purchase wifi when it is vacant for only 2-3 weeks. I have heard there are other options. Let me know how you handle security ( besides Guido spending the night there ;) ) and any recommends you may have on wifi free cameras would be great.

Gotta be straight with you: if your unit requires cameras in it to watch the folks breaking in... it's time to sell out of that hood. I took my own advice on that recently with a house that had two breaks-ins during a vacancy.

Cameras are at best a warning system, but the last thing I wanted to do was go running over to the house each time squatters decided to take up residence. Even if I did have video, what would that do? The cops just tell them to get out. Those folks have no money and nothing to penalize them, so maybe at worst they get tossed in the poky for a night, then they're right back on the street, possibly going to my house again. They don't care if they get busted a dozen times: they've got nothing to lose. I on the other hand had much to lose.

If you want video, you're either going to need someone's WiFi or you're going to pay per month for service. There's no other magic way to make this happen really.

If you just need motion images (like a wildlife cam), there are a couple of options where you buy the device and they give you a few dozen photos per month for free.

SimpliSafe cameras require WiFi, right? So I don't see that as fitting what was being asked for here.

If it were me though, I'd likely just get some cheap Wyze cams and a temporary hotspot like Jason suggested. Then just turn it off when no longer vacant.

As I said, I was referring specifically to their cameras -- which is what this person was asking for. I believe that SimpliSafe cameras, like he wants, all require WiFi.

One of the presenters at a convention round table said he provides wifi and cameras for each of his units - so he also monitor the place after someone moved in.

check all exterior lights (including garage) are working and turned on during turnover. Use floodlights whenever possible.

Use door sensors that emit a loud siren when opened, and window sensors when glass broken.

I have a Spypoint cellular trail camera that I put in empty places. I pay for unlimited pictures but they allow 100 (I think) free pictures per month. It works great. I found a 12 vdc adapter that had the right amp draw and I just plug it in instead of eating batteries.

Not video, but it takes the pic, saves a high def on the sd card and sends me a low def through text. Since I have unlimited I have it take 2 pic bursts and shortened the burn time between pics. I like it a lot.

I also just got a Simpisafe set up for my storage building and barn. No wifi so no camera but I have motion sensors and it sends me the warnings with no monthly cost.

I like the rentable hotspot idea so I could have video.