If you rent out a room, apartment or house to travelers, cameras can protect your property, check on arrivals and deter parties. They can also get you banned from a platform, fined or sued if you cross privacy lines. Guests have a strong expectation of privacy inside the space they rent, and platforms and laws reflect that. This guide explains where cameras are generally acceptable at a short-term rental, where they are not, what to disclose to guests, how to use exterior and entry cameras well, what alternatives exist for monitoring noise and occupancy and how to stay on the right side of platform rules and local law.
This is general information, not legal advice. Short-term rental rules vary by city, building and platform. Check your local regulations, lease, co-op or condo rules, insurance and the terms of each platform you use.
1. The Short Version
| Location | General guidance |
|---|---|
| Front door, doorbell | Usually acceptable, disclose. |
| Driveway, yard, exterior | Usually acceptable, disclose. |
| Common hallway of your own property | Often acceptable, disclose. |
| Living room, kitchen inside the rental | Often restricted or prohibited; check platform rules. |
| Bedrooms, bathrooms | Never. |
| Hidden cameras | Never, anywhere. |
| Audio recording | Avoid; legal risk. |
2. Why the Rules Are Strict
A guest who pays to stay in a place expects privacy, especially where they sleep, change clothes and bathe. Recording guests without consent can violate laws on unlawful surveillance and invasion of privacy, and platforms treat hidden or undisclosed cameras as serious violations. A single complaint can mean suspension and legal exposure. Our guide on camera laws in New York and New Jersey explains the basics, and our guide on audio recording laws explains why audio is risky.
3. Where Cameras Are Usually Acceptable
Exterior cameras that cover the entrance, driveway, yard and approaches are the most accepted. A video doorbell lets you see who arrives, confirm check-in and review complaints. Cameras in shared common areas of your own property, such as a hallway you also use, can be acceptable if disclosed. These cameras help you see packages, deter break-ins and review incidents. They should not point into windows of the rental or into neighbors' homes. Our guide on camera placement and neighbors explains how to aim responsibly.
4. Where Cameras Are Not Acceptable
Never place cameras in bedrooms or bathrooms, or anywhere a guest could reasonably be changing or sleeping. Never use hidden or disguised cameras. Many platforms ban indoor cameras in any area of a rental, or in sleeping areas, and require disclosure of any camera. Interior cameras that are turned off when guests are present may still be disallowed or viewed with suspicion. When in doubt, leave indoor cameras out. Read each platform's current policy before installing.
5. Disclosure: Say It Clearly
Disclose all cameras in your listing and in the house rules before booking. Say where they are, what they cover and whether they record. Post a simple sign near the entrance if appropriate. Do not hide the disclosure in fine print. Update the listing if you change your setup. Clear disclosure protects guests and you. If a guest objects, be ready to turn cameras off or to refund. Never rely on a guest not noticing.
6. Doorbell Cameras and Check-In
A video doorbell is a common choice for hosts. It lets you greet a guest remotely, confirm identity and keep a log. Pair it with a smart lock that issues temporary codes so you do not need to hand over keys; our guide on smart locks explains how. Our local page on video doorbell installation in Queens describes installation. Make sure the doorbell does not capture neighbors' doors.
7. Noise and Occupancy Without Cameras
If your worry is parties and extra guests, cameras may not be the best tool. Noise monitors that measure decibel levels without recording audio, door sensors, smart locks with logs and occupancy-counting devices that do not capture images can address those concerns with less privacy risk. Many platforms allow decibel-only noise monitors if disclosed. Our guide on smart home sensors explains how they work. Combine these with clear house rules and a good guest screening process.
8. Protecting the Property
The most useful camera positions for a rental are outside: the entry, any side gate, the back door, the parking area and the trash area. They let you see arrivals and departures and spot damage or unauthorized guests. Good lighting and a visible camera discourage trouble. A recorder or cloud storage with a reasonable retention period, such as 14 to 30 days, helps resolve disputes about damage. Keep footage secure and delete it on a schedule. Our guide on retention policies explains how to set one.
9. Local Law and Building Rules
Many cities, co-ops and condos regulate short-term rentals. Some require registration, limit the number of nights or ban rentals altogether. Camera rules may be separate. Check your lease, house rules and local regulations before you install anything. If you rent in New York City, check the city's official guidance and your building's rules. For New York State consumer information on consumer rights, see ag.ny.gov. Your insurer may also have conditions for rented properties.
10. Data Protection
If your cameras capture guests, you hold personal data. Protect it with strong passwords, two-factor authentication, up-to-date firmware and limited access. Do not share footage on social media. Provide footage to authorities or platforms only as needed. Delete old footage on a schedule. For small business data security basics, see ftc.gov. Our guide on camera security basics lists the steps.
11. If a Guest Complains
Take it seriously. Respond promptly, explain what the camera covers, offer to turn it off or move it and keep a record of the exchange. If a guest finds an undisclosed camera, expect a platform investigation. Cooperate and be honest. Prevention is much better: disclose, keep cameras to the exterior and keep interior spaces private.
12. Cost
Planning ranges in 2026 for professionally installed work: video doorbell, $150 to $550; two exterior cameras with doorbell, $900 to $2,200; four-camera home system, $1,600 to $3,600; smart lock installation, $150 to $500 per door. Multi-unit properties need more. These are planning ranges, not quotes.
13. News Context
Hosts want protection for good reasons. 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. In July 2026, QNS reported that police were seeking a burglar who hit homes in Flushing, Oakland Gardens and Bayside. Exterior cameras protect the property and the neighbors without intruding on guests.
NYPD reported burglary down 19.5% citywide in May 2026 compared with May 2025 (NYPD).
14. Questions to Ask Your Installer
- Which camera locations are appropriate for a rental?
- Can you aim cameras so they only cover my property?
- Can the system be configured so I can show guests exactly what is covered?
- Can you install a smart lock with temporary codes?
- Do you recommend noise monitors or other non-camera tools?
- How should I store and delete footage?
See our local pages for security camera installation in Brooklyn, video doorbell installation in Queens, security camera installation in Hoboken and our services page.
Hosting guests? Revolvis will walk the property with you and mark the spots that protect the building without crossing privacy lines.
15. A Disclosure Template
A simple statement in a listing might read: "Exterior cameras are installed at the front entrance, driveway and rear yard. A video doorbell records visitors at the front door. There are no cameras inside the home. Cameras record video only, not audio." Adjust to your setup, and confirm that it matches your platform's rules and your actual installation. If anything changes, update the listing and notify guests with bookings.
16. House Rules That Reduce the Need for Cameras
Clear rules do much of the work cameras cannot. State quiet hours, the maximum number of guests, a no-parties policy, parking limits and trash instructions in the listing and in the welcome message. Explain how check-in works and what is monitored: exterior cameras, a doorbell and a decibel-only noise sensor, for example. Screen guests before accepting a booking, and respond quickly to neighbors who contact you. Hosts who set expectations early face fewer disputes, and a well-written rule sheet makes it easier to defend a decision if something does go wrong. Keep a copy of what you sent each guest.
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 I put cameras inside my short-term rental? Often not. Many platforms restrict or ban indoor cameras. Never in bedrooms or bathrooms.
Do I have to tell guests about cameras? Yes. Disclose every camera, its location and what it covers.
Are exterior cameras okay? Usually, if disclosed and aimed at your property.
Can I record audio? Avoid it. Audio recording has serious legal risk.
What can I use instead of indoor cameras? Decibel-only noise monitors, door sensors and smart locks with logs.
What if a guest objects? Respond quickly, offer to turn cameras off or move them and keep a record.
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.