Can I Put a Camera Outside My Apartment Door?

While peace of mind when not home is a top priority for many, a security camera can come in aid. It’s a reasonable solution to the rising crime rate and burglary.

But the question is, can you put a camera outside your apartment door? Is it legal to do so?

Well, the answer is quite simple, but may vary from one state to another, depending on the privacy laws of your country. If you’re a tenant, things can be difficult as your landlord may not allow attaching anything to the property.

In general, you can put a security camera on your apartment door if it’s not disrupting others’ privacy. However, it’s advisable to see the local law or talk to your landlord regarding this before you install the camera.

Now let’s discuss how you can plan, purchase, and install the right camera in the right place, in the right direction for optimal surveillance.

Can I Legally Install Cameras Outside My Apartment Door?

It doesn’t matter if you live in a home or apartment; security is a priority that shouldn’t be taken for granted. Notably, one way of beefing up your security is by installing a security camera outside your apartment.

Nevertheless, you can’t decide to install a camera outside your apartment without talking to your landlord or knowing the relevant state law. Depending on your location, each landlord or home association has predefined rules and regulations that you must adhere to. These rules don’t apply when installing a camera inside your apartment though.

However, a camera outside your apartment can trample on your neighbor’s privacy. Because of this, you might face certain restrictions. Notwithstanding, you can install outdoor security cameras to cover a limited area, especially the entrance to your apartment. Here are a few cameras you can install outside your apartment if you have permission.

• Apartment cameras – Once you get the approval you need, the best option for your apartment security is a full home security setup. Nevertheless, you have to negotiate with your landlord if they will pay for installing the security cameras. Even so, if you have to bear the entire cost, you must research security cameras. Peradventure, you have a limited budget; you can get a single camera for the entrance to keep track of everything.
• Noninvasive cameras – If your permission gets turned down, you can opt to use noninvasive security options that won’t alter your apartment. You can place wireless security cameras on any hard surface in this situation. Your landlord has the legal right to deny any request to install cameras even if it doesn’t alter the property.

Benefit Of Camera Outside Your Apartment Door

Surveillance technology has contributed significantly to several industries. Today, while crime rates are increasing, the need to install security cameras in an apartment is non-negotiable. Although there are a few drawbacks to using security cameras in your apartment door, here are a few benefits of a camera outside your apartment.

Deterring Criminal Activities

Having a camera installed outside your apartment can help deter property damage and theft. In addition, it reduces crimes like break-ins and trespassing. Recent studies show that property crime has been 85% in the last four years. While several factors might contribute to this rise in criminal activities, installing a security camera can help deter criminal activities within your apartment.

Monitor Activities And Scenarios

You won’t stay all day in your apartment as you can go to work or travel. You can get worried about things happening in your vicinity in such a situation. This comes in handy, especially for parents or families with babysitters. Indoor security cameras can help give you peace of mind when you are far from home as you can frequently check what happened.

In addition, if you have a large property or apartment, securing the entire location gets easier. That’s because modern software allows you to receive phone alerts with motion detection. These newer cameras have a motion detector that detects unusual movements based on certain parameters. For business owners, having a camera installed isn’t an option to consider as your staff can’t always be outside.

Gathering Evidence

With cameras strategically installed in an apartment, you can monitor people and actions in an event. Nowadays, newer cameras come with high-quality audio besides high-quality video capabilities. Providing a video with high-quality sound can be very helpful in a criminal or legal scenario.

Interestingly, you don’t need to have witnesses as the video evidence is sufficient to provide details of what transpired. The security camera can unfold a series of events to legal authorities.

Providing Accurate Judgment And Decisions

This benefit stems from gathering evidence, allowing individuals to make fair decisions and judgments when settling a case. It is helpful when local authorities are involved, and it can also help in domestic situations.

Whether it involves disagreement with a family member, home staff, or an intruder, you can rest assured that your security camera is your escape route. Remember, you don’t only need security cameras in your apartment, as you can install them in your office and business location to avoid fabrication or inappropriate claims.

Storage Of Records

Lastly, security cameras serve as a wonderful option to keep records. Depending on the situation, you can use recorded videos for reference purposes in the future. You can use cameras to monitor people who visit you to show the timestamp of everything. We’ve seen situations where security cameras recordings were used in court cases as evidence.

Where Should Security Cameras Be Placed Outside?

The installation of security cameras in your apartment is tricky, depending on your location. For instance, if you are in an apartment where you are the only tenant, then it won’t be an issue. However, if you live in an apartment with other occupants, you might want to consider the options available critically.

Some homeowners’ associations have strict rules regarding residents’ privacy. You might want to ask your landlord where “can I put a camera outside my apartment door? Therefore, the only place you can install a camera will be only outside your apartment.

Furthermore, you have to consider the costs, number of cameras, and coverage when investing in a security camera for your home. Nevertheless, whether you want to install an outdoor security camera without Wi-Fi or not, here are a few places you can position your camera:

Door Entrance or Front Door

The first place to consider when installing a security camera in the front door or entrance to your home. You need to keep an eagle eye on what is happening on the front door – you want to know what comes in and goes out. Therefore, before installing cameras anywhere within your apartment, the front door should be the priority.

Doorbell Cameras

Although this is optional nowadays, newer cameras make it easier to ensure your home remains protected. Installing doorbell cameras allows you to see a person’s face when they ring the doorbell. Some cameras allow you to communicate with the person with a two-way audio system.

Driveway and Parking Areas

Besides your main entrance, installing a security camera in your driveway and garage is another critical area. Car burglars can gain access to your home and try to steal your garage equipment or car. When such a mishap happens, you have evidence as the camera can capture the intruder, which can help law enforcement agencies to apprehend the culprit.

Windows

While your door and garage look like the likely areas for an intruder to a break-in, the window is another area of concern. Windows are vulnerable to break-ins and require good security surveillance. You can use an outdoor security camera in a position that can identify anybody.

However, since you have several windows, it will require a camera system with multiple cameras. Therefore, invest in an outdoor wireless camera with IP accessibility and DVR setup when shopping for an outdoor camera.

Backyard

Your backyard and side doors are also important places to install a surveillance camera to keep an eye on unwanted phenomena. Here, you need to place the camera at a distance and height to see the premises clearly.

Backdoors are crucial for most break-ins and burgers, and thieves love to see them unprotected. Therefore, security in the backyard safeguards any assets or items inside your compound.

Interior

What if all the security cameras outside get damaged? Maybe you can’t just install one in the first place! Where else can you gather evidence of a break-in? Remember we said you have to consider the costs, number of cameras, and coverage when investing in a security camera for your home.

If you have the budget, you can install a wireless PTZ IP camera that moves around. You don’t have to drill any mounting for your home. However, you need to abide by local privacy terms and conditions.

Conclusion

A security camera that will help you watch over your property is paramount. Once you know if you can put a camera outside your apartment door after analyzing the law and or local tenant rules, be sure to have it placed strategically.

Test a bunch of angles from where you can have the most coverage for the entire entrance. However, be sure not to disrupt the privacy of your neighbors and local law that might put you in a bad situation where you have to remove the camera after all.

Alternatively, you can also have the camera set inside the window, facing towards the outside area. This will have zero issues as you are, by definition, setting it within your own premises.