Video surveillance - is it allowed in apartment building?

If you live in an apartment building and want to protect your apartment from burglary by video surveillance, different rules apply to the surveillance than in a house where only you live. In this article we explain in which areas of the apartment building video surveillance is allowed.

Multi-unit dwelling: in these cases, video surveillance is allowed

While the use of an IP camera for video surveillance of one's own single-family home or property is allowed, the situation is different for a multi-unit dwelling. Areas in a multi-family house that are used by all residents may not simply be monitored by camera.

1. If you as a resident or landlord want to install a camera in areas such as the front door, stairwell or common basement, this is only possible if all residents give their consent to it.
2. This means that even if only one resident refuses permission to install the camera, video surveillance is not allowed.
3. If you do not comply with this requirement, your tenant or the other residents of the house can sue for the removal of the video camera and all recordings are deleted.
4. In the worst case, you also face not only a fine, but also the payment of damages and compensation.

Further information on video surveillance in apartment buildings

On the other hand, it looks if you want to use video surveillance only in areas that are entered exclusively by you. Video surveillance within your own apartment, in a private basement room or from your balcony is thus permitted. However, the rule also applies here that you must inform your guests, a babysitter or the cleaning lady that they are being filmed while in the apartment.