In general, landlords in New York City may install video cameras in common areas such as lobbies, entrances, stairwells and hallways to protect the building, but they cannot place cameras where tenants have a strong expectation of privacy, such as inside apartments, bathrooms or locations that look directly into units, and audio recording raises extra legal problems. Rent-regulated tenancies and special agreements may add rules. This guide explains the general picture for tenants and landlords and where to look for help. It is not legal advice.
If you have a dispute, consult a tenant organization, an attorney or the appropriate government agency. This article does not cover every rule or situation.
1. The Short Version
| Location | General approach |
|---|---|
| Building entrance, lobby | Commonly allowed and widely used. |
| Mailroom, package room | Commonly allowed. |
| Elevators | Commonly allowed. |
| Stairwells and hallways | Often allowed in common areas, but cameras should avoid looking into apartments. |
| Laundry rooms, garages, basements | Often allowed, with notice. |
| Roof and exterior | Commonly allowed. |
| Inside an apartment | Not without the tenant's permission, and generally not allowed. |
| Bathrooms, changing areas | Not acceptable. |
| Audio recording in common areas | High risk. Avoid without legal advice. |
2. Why Common Areas Are Different
Hallways, lobbies and stairwells belong to the building, and the landlord is responsible for them. Cameras there are used to deter crime, manage packages and investigate incidents. Tenants have less expectation of privacy in these spaces than in their apartments, but not zero. A camera aimed down a hall is one thing. A camera that stares directly into an open apartment door is another.
3. What Landlords Should Do
- Aim cameras at common areas, not into units. Use privacy masking to block apartment doors and windows.
- Post clear notice that video surveillance is in use.
- Turn off audio unless a lawyer has approved a specific use.
- Limit who can view footage. Use passwords, logs and a short written policy.
- Set a retention period and delete footage on schedule.
- Respond to requests carefully. Have a process for police and tenant requests.
- Keep cameras working. A broken camera can create a false sense of security.
- Document decisions. Keep records of why cameras were installed and where.
See our landlord's guide to common-area cameras in New York and New Jersey.
4. What Tenants Can Do
- Read your lease and building rules. Look for any notice about cameras.
- Ask the landlord or managing agent about camera locations, what they record and who can view them.
- Note any camera that looks into your apartment or private areas. Take dated photos from your side.
- Put concerns in writing. Politely describe the problem and request a change.
- Keep records of communications.
- Seek help if the problem continues.
5. Privacy Statutes to Keep in Mind
Penal Law section 250.45 (unlawful surveillance in the second degree) is a class E felony. As shown on the New York State Senate website, it covers secretly using an imaging device to record people undressing or in intimate settings where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy, and secretly recording in places such as bedrooms, restrooms, changing rooms and showers for no legitimate purpose and without consent. See nysenate.gov. A camera that sees into an apartment through a window or open door may raise concerns even in a common area. Landlords should use masking and placement to avoid it.
Audio is a separate issue. New York's eavesdropping law, Penal Law section 250.05, makes eavesdropping a class E felony, and section 250.00 defines mechanical overhearing of a conversation as intentionally overhearing or recording a conversation by someone not present, without the consent of at least one party. A hallway microphone could record conversations among tenants who have not consented. Our audio guide explains the risks.
6. Rent-Regulated Buildings and Services
In rent-regulated buildings, tenants sometimes raise complaints when a landlord changes services, such as replacing a doorman with cameras or altering access. Whether a change is allowed depends on the specific rules and facts. The New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal handles rent regulation matters, and the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development handles housing maintenance matters. Check the agencies' websites or speak with a tenant organization or attorney. This article does not give a conclusion about any particular change.
7. Cameras Used in Disputes
Landlords sometimes use camera footage in disputes with tenants, such as claims about guests, packages, damage or lease violations. Tenants worry about that. Landlords should be careful to use footage fairly and consistently, avoid harassment and follow any applicable rules. Tenants should not assume cameras are a free pass for the landlord to monitor private life. If you feel you are being harassed, document the behavior and seek advice from a tenant organization or attorney. Dated notes, photos of camera positions and copies of every message to the landlord are the most useful evidence you can have if a dispute escalates.
8. Smart Locks, Key Fobs and Access Logs
Cameras are not the only monitoring tool. Key fob systems and smart locks can log when tenants enter and exit. That data is sensitive. Landlords using access control should have a written policy on what is logged, who can see it and how long it is kept. See our access control pages for details on how systems work.
9. Package Rooms and Lobby Cameras
Package theft is a common reason for lobby and package-room cameras. A camera that shows who picked up what can resolve disputes quickly. A 2022 New Jersey law made delivered-package theft a third-degree crime regardless of value, according to NJ 101.5. New York has its own rules, so check current laws. For tenants, cameras in package rooms are usually welcomed if they are not abused.
10. News Context
News stories show how often building and neighborhood video is used. In Brooklyn in March 2026, News 12 reported on video showing home break-ins a few blocks apart in Sheepshead Bay and Gravesend. In February 2026, NYPD also released doorstep video to help identify three young men who tried to enter three Staten Island homes overnight, according to CBS News New York. These stories involve homes, not hallways, but they illustrate why building owners install cameras and why tenants expect them to be used responsibly.
NYPD reported burglary down 19.5% and grand larceny down 12.4% citywide in May 2026 compared with May 2025 (NYPD).
11. Landlords: A Practical Setup
For a typical NYC walk-up or mid-rise, a landlord might install cameras at the front entrance, lobby, mailroom, rear door, basement, roof door and each stair landing, using privacy masks to avoid apartment doors. Store footage on a locked recorder, assign access to the managing agent and super, set retention to 30 days and post notices. A well-designed system can protect tenants and reduce disputes. Costs for building systems are covered in our apartment building camera cost guide.
12. Questions to Ask
Tenants: 1. Where are cameras located, and what do they see? 2. Is audio recorded? 3. Who can view footage, and how long is it kept? 4. How can I request footage after an incident? 5. How do I report a camera that looks into my apartment?
Landlords: 1. Have we reviewed privacy masks for apartment doors? 2. Is audio disabled? 3. Do we have a written policy? 4. Who handles police and tenant requests? 5. Have we consulted an attorney about our situation?
See our local pages for commercial camera installation in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and business installation in Queens.
Not sure how to place building cameras without intruding on tenants? Revolvis will walk the property with you and mark the spots.
13. Next Steps If You Have a Problem
If a camera looks into your apartment, document it and write to the landlord. If there is no response, contact a tenant organization or attorney. If you believe you are being recorded in a private space, contact the police. If you are a landlord who has received a complaint, review the camera's view, apply masking, consider legal advice and document the fix.
More From Revolvis
Cameras are one layer of a secure property. The same in-house crew also handles the rest:
- Keyless entry installation and smart lock installation
- Access control systems and commercial access control
- Video doorbells and intercoms
- Alarm system installation
- Complete unified security
Learn more about Revolvis, meet the team, see all services, browse the blog or contact us.
Areas We Serve
Revolvis installs residential and commercial camera systems across the New York metro area. Every borough and county has its own building stock, rules and wiring challenges, so the plan for a Queens two-family is not the plan for a Manhattan co-op.
- Staten Island: houses, detached garages and shop fronts. See security camera installation in Staten Island.
- Brooklyn: brownstones, row houses and storefronts. See security camera installation in Brooklyn.
- Queens: attached brick homes, two-families and busy commercial strips. See security camera installation in Queens.
- The Bronx: pre-war buildings, bodegas and warehouses. See security camera installation in the Bronx.
- Manhattan: co-ops, condos, offices and retail. See security camera installation in Manhattan.
- Long Island: Nassau County and Suffolk County.
- New Jersey: Jersey City, Newark, Hoboken and nearby towns.
The full list is on the service areas page.
Get a Custom Quote After a Site Visit
Revolvis prices every job after a site visit, because the building sets the cost as much as the equipment does. A few things make the estimate faster and more accurate:
- The address and property type: house, apartment, co-op, condo, storefront or warehouse.
- Which doors, sides and areas you want covered, and what worries you most.
- Photos of those spots and any spots where you already have cabling or power.
- How many days of footage you want to keep and whether you want to watch on your phone.
- Any landlord, board, lender or insurer requirement.
Call 347-258-9165 or use the contact page to book a site visit. The quote you receive is written and itemized, so you can compare it line by line.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my landlord put cameras in the hallway? Often yes in common areas, but cameras should not look into apartments, and audio raises legal concerns.
Can a landlord put a camera inside my apartment? Not without your permission, and generally not at all.
Does my landlord have to tell me about cameras? Notice is good practice and may be required in some situations. Ask your landlord and check your lease.
Can the landlord record audio in the lobby? That is high risk under New York's eavesdropping rules. Landlords should avoid audio without legal advice.
Who can see the footage? It should be limited to authorized people. Ask the landlord for their policy.
Where can tenants get help? Tenant organizations, an attorney, and the agencies that handle housing and rent regulation.
Ready for a custom quote? Call Revolvis at 347-258-9165 for a site visit and a written, itemized estimate.
Safety note: A camera system supports, but does not replace, good locks, lighting, alarms and everyday habits. If you are in danger or witnessing a crime, call 911. Prices and legal summaries in this guide are general information for the New York metro area, not an offer or legal advice. A written quote after a site visit governs your actual price, and for legal questions you should confirm with the agencies linked in the article or a licensed attorney.