Investor · San Carlos, CA · Member since 2016 · 16 posts · 3 votes
Has anyone used security cameras on their MFR? We are thinking of buying a MFR in a relatively higher crime area of a decent city (safety rating of mid 20s on neighborhoodscout.com) We are considering placing security cameras on the exterior as a crime deterrent. There are several broken windows, we have not yet learned the cause.
As we respect the privacy of tenants, we would only review footage if there were a crime. Are there services that handle such things? Has anyone had experience with it?
If you chose to invest in a higher crime area you accept the consequences. Having video after the fact does nothing to deter crime and will not warrant the cost. You would be better off to put up the fake decoy cameras but make sure you inform your tenants they are fake. You do not want them to have the impression they are safer due to you monitoring the property.
Simply build the damages into your repair estimates as part of doing business in the area.