Parents who hire a nanny, babysitter or home health aide often want a camera in the common areas of their own home. In general, video cameras in living rooms, kitchens and play areas of your own home are common. The legal risk grows with audio, with hidden cameras and with any room where a caregiver or child could be undressed, such as a bathroom. The safest approach is simple: tell the caregiver, keep cameras out of bathrooms and bedrooms where someone dresses, and disable audio unless a lawyer says otherwise.
This is general information, not legal advice. Laws change and facts matter. For a specific situation, talk to a New York or New Jersey attorney.
1. The Short Version
| Question | General guidance |
|---|---|
| Video camera in a living room or kitchen of my own home | Generally common. Telling the caregiver is best practice. |
| Hidden camera in a bathroom or changing area | Do not. Serious legal exposure. |
| Camera that records sound | Higher risk. Talk to a lawyer. |
| Camera in a nanny's bedroom (live-in) | Do not. |
| Telling the caregiver | Strongly recommended. |
| Putting it in the employment agreement | Smart. |
2. Why Parents Use Nanny Cams
Parents use cameras to check on infants, confirm that routines are followed, document accidents and feel reassured while at work. A camera can also protect caregivers by showing that they acted properly. A transparent, visible camera usually works better than a hidden one, because it builds trust and avoids legal problems.
3. New York: The Main Rules
Private spaces. Penal Law section 250.45 is a class E felony covering secret recording where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy, including recording undressing or intimate parts, and secretly recording in places such as bedrooms or restrooms without consent. See the text at nysenate.gov.
Audio. Penal Law section 250.05 makes eavesdropping a class E felony, and section 250.00 defines mechanical overhearing of a conversation as intentionally recording a conversation without the consent of at least one party by a person who is not present. See section 250.05 and section 250.00. If you are at work and the camera records a conversation between the caregiver and someone else, this is the area of concern.
Employment. Labor Law section 203-c prohibits employers from recording employees in restrooms, locker rooms and rooms designated for changing clothes, per nysenate.gov. It is written for employers and employees, and whether it covers household employees can depend on facts. Treat bathrooms and changing areas as completely off limits.
4. New Jersey: The Main Rules
New Jersey's wiretap statute, N.J.S.A. 2A:156A-1 and following, regulates the recording of oral communications. New Jersey is commonly described as a one-party consent state, which means a participant in a conversation can record it. A nanny cam that records conversations between others, when you are not present, can raise problems. For video, N.J.S.A. 2C:14-9 addresses invasion of privacy, including recording a person in a state of undress without consent. Read the current text and ask an attorney about your facts.
5. Where to Place a Nanny Cam
Good locations: living room, kitchen, nursery, playroom, entryway, hallway, backyard.
Never place cameras in: bathrooms, a caregiver's bedroom, changing areas or any room where someone may be undressed.
Think carefully about: a child's bedroom. Many parents use a baby monitor in a nursery. A camera in a bedroom where a live-in caregiver sleeps or changes is a serious risk.
Placement tips: mount high enough to see the room, avoid windows, check lighting and cover the area where the child spends time.
6. Hidden or Visible?
A visible camera deters misconduct and sets expectations. A hidden camera can capture more candid behavior but creates trust, legal and ethical issues. If you choose a hidden device, never use it in private spaces and consult an attorney. Many families find that telling the caregiver, and including a camera clause in the agreement, avoids conflict and still gives peace of mind.
7. Telling the Caregiver
- Say it in the interview. "We have cameras in the living areas."
- Put it in writing. Add it to the employment agreement or house rules.
- List where. "Living room, kitchen, nursery."
- State what is not covered. "No cameras in bathrooms or private rooms."
- State whether audio is recorded. Most families choose not to.
- Explain who can view. Parents only.
8. Audio: Why It Is the Hard Part
Audio is the most common legal trap. A camera in the living room that records sound captures everything said, including phone calls, visitors and private conversations. Turning audio off is the simplest way to reduce risk. If you want audio, speak to a lawyer first and get written consent from everyone who may be recorded.
9. Other Practical Considerations
Security of the account. Baby cameras and nanny cams have been hacked when passwords were weak. Use strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication and update firmware. See guidance from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency at cisa.gov.
Storing footage. Decide how long to keep clips and who can view them.
Do not post footage. Posting video of a caregiver or a child online can cause harm and legal trouble. See our guide on posting footage.
Other adults. Visitors and relatives in your home may be recorded. Consider telling them.
10. News Context
Home cameras often feature in local news. In February 2026, NYPD released stills and video from a Staten Island doorstep to help identify three young men who tried to enter three homes overnight, according to CBS News New York. Outdoor cameras and indoor cameras serve different purposes. An indoor nanny cam does not protect against burglary, and an outdoor camera does not watch your caregiver. Many families use both, with different privacy rules for each.
11. Costs
Indoor cameras for common rooms typically cost $60 to $250 each for consumer models, or $250 to $600 installed with professional wiring and local recording. A multi-room system with an indoor recorder might run $900 to $2,800 installed in 2026. See our cost guides.
12. Questions to Ask Your Installer
- Can audio be disabled at the camera and in the app?
- Can the camera be placed to avoid bathroom doors?
- Who can view the live feed and recordings?
- Is footage local, cloud or both?
- How do I use two-factor authentication?
- Can you provide a simple notice or sign?
See our local pages for home camera installation in Staten Island, indoor cameras in Brooklyn, home camera installation in Jersey City and our services page.
Not sure where an indoor camera belongs? Revolvis will walk the property with you and mark the spots.
13. When to Talk to a Lawyer
Talk to an attorney if you plan to use a hidden camera, record audio, place a camera in a room where someone sleeps or changes, or if you have an existing dispute with a caregiver. A short consultation is cheap compared with a criminal complaint or lawsuit.
14. Questions Parents Often Forget to Ask Themselves
Before buying anything, ask what problem the camera is meant to solve. If the worry is the child's safety during naps, a simple nursery monitor may be enough. If the worry is how the caregiver spends the day, a visible camera in the main living area with a clear written policy will usually answer it. If the worry is something more serious, such as suspected mistreatment, talk to a pediatrician, an attorney or the appropriate authorities rather than relying on covert recording. Think also about who else lives in or visits the home, how long you will keep recordings, and what you will do if the camera captures something unexpected, such as a private phone call. Deciding these points in advance is far easier than improvising after an awkward moment, and it keeps the camera a tool for safety instead of a source of conflict.
15. A Sample Setup
A family in a Brooklyn brownstone wants to monitor the ground floor while a nanny cares for a toddler. The installer places one camera high in the living room, one in the kitchen and one at the back door. Audio is disabled. The parents tell the nanny in writing where the cameras are and that no cameras are in bathrooms or bedrooms. Footage records locally with 14 days of storage and a password only the parents know. The installer shows both parents how to turn on two-factor authentication. Estimated cost: $1,200 to $2,600.
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
Is a nanny cam legal in New York? Video in common areas of your own home is generally common. Avoid private spaces and audio recording without legal advice.
Do I have to tell my nanny? There may not be a general rule requiring it, but telling the caregiver is strongly recommended.
Can I record audio with a nanny cam? It carries higher legal risk. Talk to a lawyer before enabling audio.
Can I put a camera in a bathroom? No. Recording in bathrooms and changing areas can create serious criminal exposure.
Are hidden cameras allowed? Hidden cameras increase legal and trust risk. Never place them in private spaces.
How do I keep my nanny cam from being hacked? Use strong unique passwords, two-factor authentication and updated firmware.
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.