Cameras on the outside of the property
Member since 2022 · 18 posts · 2 votes
Cameras on the outside of the property
Most Popular Reply
Kenneth GarrettPro Member
Investor · Florida Panhandle/Illinois · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 3k+ votes@Tasha Jones
Not sure why you gave the tenant the access to the ring, but we all have done things we regret later on. I would call ring and tell them what happened and create a new account or at least change the access. As long as everything was disclosed to the tenant that’s too bad if they’re uncomfortable. It’s a security system for you. It’s only for outdoor anyway.
You can also reach out to the section 8 caseworker and see if they are willing to help. Pretty sure they will stay out of it, other than the tenant is in violation of the lease as you have described.
21 Replies
- 8moKenneth GarrettPro MemberInvestor · Florida Panhandle/Illinois · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 3k+ votes
@Tasha Jones
Not sure why you gave the tenant the access to the ring, but we all have done things we regret later on. I would call ring and tell them what happened and create a new account or at least change the access. As long as everything was disclosed to the tenant that’s too bad if they’re uncomfortable. It’s a security system for you. It’s only for outdoor anyway.
You can also reach out to the section 8 caseworker and see if they are willing to help. Pretty sure they will stay out of it, other than the tenant is in violation of the lease as you have described.
- Member since 2022 · 18 posts · 2 votes8mo
I know better now. This is the first tenant for me. I'am going to reach out to section 8 to see what they say but I'm also going to send the tenant a certified letter along with a regular letter stating that they are in violation of the contract. Thanks for your help
- Investor · Las Vegas, NV · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 10k+ votes8mo
Worst case just replace all the equipment while you try to get through to ring?Otherwise replace everything and just add the bill to the tenant’s ledger due at move out.
- Member since 2022 · 18 posts · 2 votes8moOk thanks for the response
Quote from @Bill B.:
Worst case just replace all the equipment while you try to get through to ring?Otherwise replace everything and just add the bill to the tenant’s ledger due at move out.
- Rental Property Investor · Malvern, PA · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 936 votes8mo
Sending the letters to the tenant informing them of the violation is a good first step. Cite the specific text of the lease they are violating.
It seems like the easiest path forward is for you to contact Ring to reset the passwords and don't share them with your tenants if they can't handle a shared Ring. Ask Ring if they can setup an "observe only" account for your tenants. Inform your tenants after you complete this and reinforce that they cannot interfere with your use of the Rings on the property.
My guess is your tenants feel this is creepy. You are watching their recreation outside and every coming and going. Think about how you can make them feel comfortable with you having access to the Rings. Work this into your conversation.
- Member since 2022 · 18 posts · 2 votes8mo
Quote from @James Mc Ree:
Sending the letters to the tenant informing them of the violation is a good first step. Cite the specific text of the lease they are violating.
It seems like the easiest path forward is for you to contact Ring to reset the passwords and don't share them with your tenants if they can't handle a shared Ring. Ask Ring if they can setup an "observe only" account for your tenants. Inform your tenants after you complete this and reinforce that they cannot interfere with your use of the Rings on the property.
My guess is your tenants feel this is creepy. You are watching their recreation outside and every coming and going. Think about how you can make them feel comfortable with you having access to the Rings. Work this into your conversation.
Ok thanks but unfortunately the tenant deleted everything and ring is saying I can't create a new account cause she removed everything attached to my account for the address. Ring said I will have to wait for the tenant to move out and then they can request a transfer of ownership.
- 8moTheresa HarrisPro MemberMember since 2019 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
If you can't reset it (which you said you can't), then buy another one and set it up-question is is this a single family house or an apartment? If it is a single family house and they are the sole occupant, why do you need to see who is coming and going? I get if it was a shared house or short term rental, but for a long term rental, I would find it odd that my landlord feels the need to see who comes and goes.
- Member since 2022 · 18 posts · 2 votes8moThanks for your response but what's the difference between it being shared or long term. The security system is in place to serve the same purpose no matter whose renting
Quote from @Theresa Harris:
If you can't reset it (which you said you can't), then buy another one and set it up-question is is this a single family house or an apartment? If it is a single family house and they are the sole occupant, why do you need to see who is coming and going? I get if it was a shared house or short term rental, but for a long term rental, I would find it odd that my landlord feels the need to see who comes and goes.
- Rental Property Investor · New Braunfels, TX · Member since 2021 · 289 posts · 256 votes8moWe have a camera for the front door of our STR cabin (just to keep people honest and not have too many people show up) but we would never put a camera on one of our long term rentals. That’s just not right. Who wants the landlord watching every move they make?
Quote from @Tasha Jones:
Thanks for your response but what's the difference between it being shared or long term. The security system is in place to serve the same purpose no matter whose rentingQuote from @Theresa Harris:
If you can't reset it (which you said you can't), then buy another one and set it up-question is is this a single family house or an apartment? If it is a single family house and they are the sole occupant, why do you need to see who is coming and going? I get if it was a shared house or short term rental, but for a long term rental, I would find it odd that my landlord feels the need to see who comes and goes.
- 8moTheresa HarrisPro MemberMember since 2019 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
Quote from @Tasha Jones:
Thanks for your response but what's the difference between it being shared or long term. The security system is in place to serve the same purpose no matter whose rentingQuote from @Theresa Harris:
If you can't reset it (which you said you can't), then buy another one and set it up-question is is this a single family house or an apartment? If it is a single family house and they are the sole occupant, why do you need to see who is coming and going? I get if it was a shared house or short term rental, but for a long term rental, I would find it odd that my landlord feels the need to see who comes and goes.
If it is shared-ie you live on the premises, then you may want to monitor the yard as you are living there. If it is a short term rental, you will have people coming and going and you won't really know them (ie same as a hotel) vs a long term rental where you've done a background check and you know the tenant a bit better. A short term rental is where a person stays vs a long term rental it is their home.
- Member since 2022 · 18 posts · 2 votes8mo
Quote from @Theresa Harris:
Quote from @Tasha Jones:
Thanks for your response but what's the difference between it being shared or long term. The security system is in place to serve the same purpose no matter whose rentingQuote from @Theresa Harris:
If you can't reset it (which you said you can't), then buy another one and set it up-question is is this a single family house or an apartment? If it is a single family house and they are the sole occupant, why do you need to see who is coming and going? I get if it was a shared house or short term rental, but for a long term rental, I would find it odd that my landlord feels the need to see who comes and goes.
If it is shared-ie you live on the premises, then you may want to monitor the yard as you are living there. If it is a short term rental, you will have people coming and going and you won't really know them (ie same as a hotel) vs a long term rental where you've done a background check and you know the tenant a bit better. A short term rental is where a person stays vs a long term rental it is their home.
I wasn't asking you the difference between the two. I know the difference between the two. But thanks
- 8moTheresa HarrisPro MemberMember since 2019 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
Quote from @Tasha Jones:
Quote from @Theresa Harris:
Quote from @Tasha Jones:
Thanks for your response but what's the difference between it being shared or long term. The security system is in place to serve the same purpose no matter whose rentingQuote from @Theresa Harris:
If you can't reset it (which you said you can't), then buy another one and set it up-question is is this a single family house or an apartment? If it is a single family house and they are the sole occupant, why do you need to see who is coming and going? I get if it was a shared house or short term rental, but for a long term rental, I would find it odd that my landlord feels the need to see who comes and goes.
If it is shared-ie you live on the premises, then you may want to monitor the yard as you are living there. If it is a short term rental, you will have people coming and going and you won't really know them (ie same as a hotel) vs a long term rental where you've done a background check and you know the tenant a bit better. A short term rental is where a person stays vs a long term rental it is their home.
I wasn't asking you the difference between the two. I know the difference between the two. But thanks
Sorry, I took the rhetorical question for an actual question.
- Member since 2024 · 158 posts · 88 votes8mo
If you are local to the area you should be able to go over and unscrew the faceplate of the ring camera using the ring screw driver and press the reset button for 15 seconds, but you have to have access to the house WiFi to reinstall it to the ring in your mobile app.
- 8moDan H.Pro MemberInvestor · Poway, CA · Member since 2015 · 7k+ posts · 8k+ votes
Quote from @Tasha Jones:
How should I handle this issue. So my first mistake was giving the tenant my login info for my ring account. The tenant changed the whole ring account and now I don't have access to the cameras on the property. And when I asked why and for it to be changed back the way it was the tenant stated they don't feel comfortable. In the leasing contract it clearly states that the tenant is not allowed to change any security device or locks without written permission from the landlord. Location is Florida and tenant is section 8. Thanks in advance
Simple. Follow the process for a lease violation in your jurisdiction. In my market it is a 3 day or quit notice. Tenant gets 3 days to correct a lease violation. If they do not address the lease violation, the eviction process starts.
This may seem like a modest violation but it is a violation and the tenant does not seem to understand the hierarchy. If you let the tenant get away with this, the hierarchy is forever compromised.
If a tenant tells me no to a request to alleviate a lease violation they will have my ire but I have to follow the rules. It means if tenant addresses the problem Within 3 days, they get to stay. My preference is they are history. They will not be tenants long via the rules.
I have never and would never tolerate a tenant telling me no when I tell them to abide by the lease. Such a tenant has assured they will not be our tenant for long. I can tolerate certain things from a tenant but near the top of what will Not be tolerated is being told no to anything dictated by the lease.
If Op keeps this tenant, I predict they will have ongoing tenant issues.
Good luck
- 8moMelanie ThomasBusiness MemberReal Estate Broker · San Antonio · Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 490 votes
In my market, it’s actually very uncommon for a landlord to retain access to cameras on a property once it’s tenant-occupied, even if they are exterior cameras. From a tenant’s perspective, that can feel intrusive, and it often creates trust and privacy concerns.
That said, if your lease clearly states that the tenant is not allowed to change or modify security devices or locks without written permission, then they are technically in violation of the lease. Since this is a Section 8 (voucher) tenant, this could also be considered a violation of their program rules. I would have a professional conversation with them explaining that point and reminding them of the lease terms. Most of the time, once tenants understand the seriousness of a lease and voucher violation, they tend to correct the behavior.
However, practically speaking, I would recommend letting this one go and using it as a learning experience. You do not need to monitor who is coming and going at a property you do not live in. Maintaining access to tenant-occupied cameras can create more risk than benefit for you as the owner.
Keep the conversation professional, document everything in writing, and adjust your practices going forward so tenants manage their own security systems once they take possession. Good luck & happy investing!
RentWerx Property Management4.73304 Reviews- Member since 2022 · 18 posts · 2 votes8mo
Quote from @Melanie Thomas:
In my market, it’s actually very uncommon for a landlord to retain access to cameras on a property once it’s tenant-occupied, even if they are exterior cameras. From a tenant’s perspective, that can feel intrusive, and it often creates trust and privacy concerns.
That said, if your lease clearly states that the tenant is not allowed to change or modify security devices or locks without written permission, then they are technically in violation of the lease. Since this is a Section 8 (voucher) tenant, this could also be considered a violation of their program rules. I would have a professional conversation with them explaining that point and reminding them of the lease terms. Most of the time, once tenants understand the seriousness of a lease and voucher violation, they tend to correct the behavior.
However, practically speaking, I would recommend letting this one go and using it as a learning experience. You do not need to monitor who is coming and going at a property you do not live in. Maintaining access to tenant-occupied cameras can create more risk than benefit for you as the owner.
Keep the conversation professional, document everything in writing, and adjust your practices going forward so tenants manage their own security systems once they take possession. Good luck & happy investing!
Thanks for your response
- 8moAlexis DeAngelisBusiness MemberProperty Manager · Raleigh, Raleigh-Durham area · Member since 2025 · 51 posts · 39 votes
To be honest, I'd go out to the property and install all new cameras that they don't have access to on the outside. A ring doorbell is one thing, but I'd go ahead and put up an exterior security system.
Have a great afternoon and best of luck with everything!
- Real Estate Agent · Memphis · Member since 2026 · 573 posts · 338 votes8mo
That’s definitely a tough spot, but this is more of a control and lease compliance issue than a camera issue.
Since the lease clearly states tenants can’t alter security devices without written permission, changing account access would typically fall under that. Even if their comfort level changed, the right step would’ve been a conversation — not taking control of the system.
A few things to keep in mind:
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In many areas (including Florida), exterior cameras in common or public-facing areas are generally allowed, but you want to be sure none are positioned where there’s an expectation of privacy (inside the unit, windows, etc.).
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This should be addressed in writing, referencing the lease clause and requesting restoration of access or transfer of device control back to the owner.
-
If they refuse, this can shift from a preference issue to a lease violation.
-
For Section 8 tenants, it’s even more important to follow a formal, documented process and avoid informal back-and-forth.
Separately, it’s a good reminder not to share master logins — access can usually be granted through user permissions instead.
At this point, keeping everything documented and lease-based is the safest path.
- Member since 2022 · 18 posts · 2 votes8mo
Quote from @Jim Johnson:
That’s definitely a tough spot, but this is more of a control and lease compliance issue than a camera issue.
Since the lease clearly states tenants can’t alter security devices without written permission, changing account access would typically fall under that. Even if their comfort level changed, the right step would’ve been a conversation — not taking control of the system.
A few things to keep in mind:
-
In many areas (including Florida), exterior cameras in common or public-facing areas are generally allowed, but you want to be sure none are positioned where there’s an expectation of privacy (inside the unit, windows, etc.).
-
This should be addressed in writing, referencing the lease clause and requesting restoration of access or transfer of device control back to the owner.
-
If they refuse, this can shift from a preference issue to a lease violation.
-
For Section 8 tenants, it’s even more important to follow a formal, documented process and avoid informal back-and-forth.
Separately, it’s a good reminder not to share master logins — access can usually be granted through user permissions instead.
At this point, keeping everything documented and lease-based is the safest path.
Thank you for taking the time to respond.
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- Real Estate Broker · Cleveland Dayton Cincinnati Toledo Columbus & Akron, OH · Member since 2013 · 30k+ posts · 20k+ votes8mo
Quote from @Tasha Jones:
How should I handle this issue. So my first mistake was giving the tenant my login info for my ring account. The tenant changed the whole ring account and now I don't have access to the cameras on the property. And when I asked why and for it to be changed back the way it was the tenant stated they don't feel comfortable. In the leasing contract it clearly states that the tenant is not allowed to change any security device or locks without written permission from the landlord. Location is Florida and tenant is section 8. Thanks in advance
This a single family house? If your expectation is that tenants will be comfortable with you being able to watch them through a security camera on a singly family house, you are way off base. This will be an endless issue for you.
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