Rental Property Investor · Papillion, NE · Member since 2017 · 398 posts · 1k+ votes
I have some residents moving into a duplex that is in a downtown area. They would like to install a ring doorbell system. Overall the residents are the ideal people but are just concerned with security do to busy street and location. I would prefer not to install my own cameras as that just increases my responsibility for handling footage etc.
Rental Property Investor · Red Bank, NJ · Member since 2017 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
7y
"Overall the residents are the ideal people but are just concerned with security do to busy street and location."
I guess I don't follow this thinking... On a SFH, I get it. But who is coming to the door who you didn't invite? If a friend is stopping over they text, delivery person- you called, I really don't get it. Where is their security threat? Maybe it is a generational thing, but the days of just dropping by someone's house for a visit without texting/calling are gone.
Why would a peephole and window not solve this? Are they living a version of "no country for old men" and they can't go by the door? Are they dealing marijuana out of the apartment? I am lost and I pride myself as scooping up the "just not" high-end market.
Savannah, GA · Member since 2016 · 58 posts · 108 votes
7y
@Collin Schwartz I had a tenant that I allowed to do this and would do it again. She took it with her when she left and the old door bell went right back over the same hole with no issue.
Rockaway, NJ · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
7y
Only consideration here is, how is the entrance setup? If separate entrances, let them do it. Just make sure they know that the Ring has to stay when they leave, or the old one goes back. Personally, I would rather take the old one back, since a Ring bell is another item to maintain when the next ones move in, and if it breaks on your next tenant they will expect you to replace it with a new Ring bell.
If there is a shared entrance, my answer may change. It would be awkward for only one tenant to have a bell at the front.
Investor · Manteca, CA · Member since 2017 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
7y
Would have ZERO issues as long as they are aware that the doorbell stays or they return the area back to the way it was before (repair any holes, damage to paint etc)
Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2019 · 512 posts · 301 votes
7y
@Collin Schwartz let them! It’s great! When they return the property to you they have to return it as it was so you don’t have a problem there but obviously if they upgraded a few things that is awesome for you. Free upgrades?!! Whatever you do don’t be paying for it or don’t pay them for the work of installing it or anything like that
Investor · Omaha, NE · Member since 2015 · 366 posts · 184 votes
7y
I would let them install it and I wouldn’t care if they took it when they left. It doesn’t cost you anything, makes them happy (and maybe stay longer) and if they take it, you may be out a few dollars for a new doorbell.
Rental Property Investor · MD · Member since 2017 · 102 posts · 21 votes
7y
@Patrick M. What's the tenant's motivation is none of the landlord's business. Is there a downside to the landlord if the tenant installs a camera? In my opinion NO.
Rental Property Investor · Red Bank, NJ · Member since 2017 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
7y
Oh, I disagree. That is my building.
In apartments, Marijuana dealers need to know who is knocking at the door. If you have no electronic door opening then ...?
You have another tenant there who does not have a camera access and if the landlord is acknowledging that this is neighborhood would cause a person to reasonably be concerned, then why not the other tenant?
I say no or if there are such reasonable safety concerns in that neighborhood then install it for all tenants.
Rental Property Investor · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2016 · 325 posts · 253 votes
7y
@Collin Schwartz I have a tenant recently installed ring door bell and also ring flood light cam, even though the house is in a nice neighborhood. However, I also recognize that she is a single mother with six year old daughter, so she want to feel sense of security. I don’t mind it. Many of my elderly tenants in their 70s do that as well. Many also have indoor hidden cameras too, so be careful of your act when going in for so called unsupervised maintenance call. Don’t snoop around...lol. With that said, you should allow it. They are that much more vested and also tells me that they can afford their rent. I now recommend them to use Wyze cam over Ring, as it’s less than $30 vs. $200. Saves them some money and they like my recommendations.
Rental Property Investor · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2016 · 325 posts · 253 votes
7y
@Robert Crowley Why in the world would you want to do that? Incase you didn’t know there is $ 10 monthly fee to retain the footage on cloud and needs internet. So if they leave it then, there is one more thing you will have to manage and maintain for the next set of tenants as it will be now considered landlord provided item. Classic way of greed leading into inviting more headache. It’s not like ceiling fan, which I would say leave it.
Investor · Milwaukee, WI · Member since 2013 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
7y
Good thread. I have a tenant asking to do this too. My initial feeling is why not? What it all looks like when they leave is an interesting consideration.
I have very mixed feelings about our surveillance society. I'd be willing to bet those cameras can all be accessed by people other than the end user. That's probably part of the business plan for providers. Money money money - it makes people blind.
Our digital world is still in the frontier stages, and we have yet to find out what it's all really going to mean and look like in the future. I wonder if the future will turn out like we want it to. We live in very dangerous times actually, but people are not really smart enough to stop for a second and consider that. Too fat and happy I guess. Other than speaking my mind about it, all I can do is put my faith in the natural balance.
Alexa is not welcome inside my house. Way too creepy for me. Way too destructive to a free society.
Multifamily Syndicator · Houston, TX · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
7y
I would take this as a win because even if the tenant removes the Ring bell after they leave you can install another one and this is a value add when showing the unit to prospective tenants.
We have Nest Thermostats installed and some tenants like that when we show our units.
Rental Property Investor · Sioux Falls, SD · Member since 2015 · 9k+ posts · 18k+ votes
7y
I am not following the logic on why cameras increases liability. It is just the opposite. Cameras are a crime deterrent and offer protection for a landlord.
If it is the tenants door only, then let them install a Ring as long as they are responsible for all cost. I would avoid Ring if it is landlord installed and instead just install traditional wired security cameras.
I think any multifamily should have cameras at entry points and in the parking lots.