Body Cams For Property Visits and Maintenance

[Account Closed]

Generally, when I visit properties I like to request the tenant to be there while I'm there so that my activities are "monitored".  I have a rental that the tenant has stated he has no problem with me entering without his being there.  That's a huge red flag for me in that if something comes up "missing" I don't want to be accused of theft (common sense).

That got me thinking...has anyone used a "body cam" of some sort to record their activities when visiting a property.  I mean, it's become a big topic for police when conducting "policing"...is this something we should consider when we visit properties or conduct DIY maintenance to document our activities and cover our backsides?

Seriously, my opinion is it's ridiculous, but on the other hand, so are umbrella coverage/liability insurance premiums and our reputation is all we have in the end.

[Allyssa Compton]

Hi @Account Closed

I also think this is a really good idea. For $140, I really don't think you can go wrong. If a tenant is scheming and tries to accuse you of something, just the mention of the fact that you have your entire visit on camera will probably deter them from pursuing it. 

I will say, though, to first do some digging online as to the legality of this. You could also make a quick phone call to your lawyer. I'm sure it varies by state, but I would imagine that this may be illegal in some states since the law says that tenants have a "reasonable expectation to privacy." I'm not sure how a judge would interpret this in your state, but video taping someone else's home without their consent could get you in trouble. 

Hope this helps!