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Re: security camera - Landlord Forum thread 355412

Re: security camera by Garry (Iowa) on December 19, 2017 @22:57

                              
If the furnace room is included as part of the overall rental that the T is paying rent on, then no, you cannot put a camera in there, as it would compromise their privacy. You can put cameras on the outside of your house, pointed away from the house, but not the inside.
What makes you think they are tampering with the furnace ? And why would they ? If they break the furnace, THEY are the ones who are going to go without heat til it gets fixed. Do you have some things stored in there, that you don't want touched ? If you do, either take them out of there and off the premises, or tell the T not to touch the items, and hope that they comply. Whom changes the filters? If the T does, then they HAVE to have access to the furnace.
You called it a "room". Can it be locked up, so no one but you has access to the furnace ? If it can, lock it up, reduce their rent by $5/mo. and then go over there every 30-60 days to change the filter. Or is the electrical panel in that room, that the T needs access to? If it is, the T needs access to it at all times.
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Re: security camera by Laura on December 20, 2017 @03:51 [ Reply ]
Thank you G, The furnace room is my responsibility. I change the filter every 3-4 months, according to lease. I just had the furnace serviced (done yearly). I maintain furnace that was serviced 3 days prior and found in good working order. Consulted with tech and tech says it's strange that it could do what it did without being touched. Tenant denies touching. (this is now 3rd time something has gone wrong and tenant denies any involvement) The room does have a door, I guess I'm just going to have to put lock on it. Electrical panel is in another room.
    Re: security camera by Laura on December 20, 2017 @08:01 [ Reply ]
    G, again thank you for giving me some things to consider. Just an fyi, as I thought the lock would be good since the room is my responsibility. The water shut off valve is also located there and he would have to access it if there was an emergency. I have decided to put a lock on the valve itself so he is unable to tamper with it. Crossing my fingers that this solves one of my "issue" with him.
      Re: security camera by Garry (Iowa) on December 20, 2017 @10:10 [ Reply ]
      If you put a lock on the furnace room door, that should be good enough. There would be no need to put a separate lock on the water valve. Just remember, too many locks to keep tenants "out" or deny access to a shutoff valve, also means you as the LL take on a LOT more responsibility if something goes wrong. I have 20 SFH, all with basements, and T access to the furnace plumbing, and electrical. Yes, sometimes kids play in those areas. I just don't ever worry about somebody bothering something they shouldn't. If it happens, it happens. I fix the problem, and move on. I would much rather have the T be able to do something in an emergency, than worry about what "might" happen if kids are playing in the area.

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