Can I Put a Camera Outside My Apartment Door? (Facts)

Do you wonder, can I put a camera outside my apartment door? Let’s find out!

Installing a camera outside your door allows you to keep an eye out for your packages or incoming visitors. It also helps you feel more secure and protected whether you’re away or not.

Yes, you absolutely can put a camera outside your apartment in most cases. However, as a courtesy, it’s best to check with your landlord first and make sure the camera only records the common areas.

Let’s get into the details.

Can I Put a Camera Outside My Apartment Door – All the Details

can put a camera outside the apartment door

Installing a camera outside your apartment can be a great way to enhance your security and peace of mind.

However, it’s not as simple as just buying a camera and sticking it into the wall. We’ll explain all of these so you don’t have to second guess your decision.

Check Apartment Regulations and Policies

Can we install camera outside my apartment door? To definitely know this, one of the first things you need to do is check the regulations and policies of your apartment complex.

Some apartments have specific rules that you want to know before you put up a security camera.

To give you some idea of the rules in apartments, here are a few:

Need permission from the management
Type of cameras that are allowed
Approved areas where you can place your camera
How long are you allowed to keep your camera
Taking your camera down when you move out

Note: You’ll be able to find most of these rules in your lease agreement, tenant handbook, or notice board.

Get Your Landlord’s Approval

Now, if you happen to live in an apartment that doesn’t have any rules regarding security cameras or video doorbells, it’s important that you still ask your landlord about it.

For the most part, installing cameras will require a bit of work, such as:

Drilling holes in the wall or door
Running wires or cables through the wall or ceiling
Using adhesive tape or glue to attach the camera
Changing the appearance of your door or wall

These types of work can cause damage to the property or affect its value in the long term.

There are cases when your landlord charges you for repair costs or deducts them from your security deposit.

To avoid any of these scenarios, here are some of the steps you need to take:

Inform your landlord about your intention to install a camera or video doorbell.
Explain your reasons why you need a camera in your home.
Let them know how it will benefit both of you.
Show them the type of camera you want to use.

Pro Tip: When you ask for their permission, it’s important that you put it in writing.

Best Camera Placement and Coverage in an Apartment

Can a tenant install a security camera outside? After talking to your landlord, and they approve your intention to put one up, you now want to decide where to place your camera.

Here are some of the things you need to consider when placing your camera:

Your camera has a clear view of your door and the surrounding area
Your camera doesn’t block your door
Your camera doesn’t capture unnecessary or irrelevant scenes
Your camera doesn’t point directly at another apartment’s window

Here are the best locations to put your camera:

On the door, near the peephole or handle.
On the wall next to the door, above or below eye level.
On the ceiling above the door, facing down.
On the shelf or table near the door, facing out.

Note: If you’re using a camera with an app or web browser access, you’ll be able to adjust its angle and position using the live feed feature.

Security Camera Options to Consider

Now that you have figured out the best location where you put your camera, it’s time to look at some of these that you’re able to use. There are a lot of different types of cameras to use outside your apartment.

Here are some that are easy to install:

	Power Source	Connectivity	Features
Eufy Video Doorbell for Apartments	Battery-powered	WiFi	2K resolution, 180-degree field of view, built-in chime
Ring Peephole Camera	Battery-powered	WiFi	1080p resolution, 155-degree field of view, knock sensor, Alexa integration
Arlo Essential Video Doorbell	Wire-free or wired	WiFi or cellular network	2K resolution, 180-degree field of view, siren, HDR, night vision, motion detection
Ring Video Doorbell 3	Battery-powered	WiFi (dual-band)	1080p resolution, 160-degree field of view, adjustable motion zone, two-way audio, live view
Wyze Video Doorbell Pro	Battery-powered	WiFi	1440p resolution, 150-degree field of view, AI person detection, custom responses, smart home integration

Respecting Privacy

One of the most important things to remember whenever you’re installing a camera outside your apartment is to respect the privacy of others.

You don’t want to invade anyone’s personal space or cause any discomfort or trouble.

Here’s what you need to do to respect the privacy of those around you:

Inform your neighbors about your camera and explain why you have it.
Avoid capturing images or sounds that are not related to your security.
Delete any footage that is not relevant to your security.
Secure your camera and its data from unauthorized access.
Comply with any requests or complaints from your neighbors.

Tip: For an additional layer of privacy, we recommend that you use a privacy shield or a lens cover that blocks your camera when it’s not in use.

DIY or Professional Installation

Different types of cameras come with different levels of complexity when it comes to the installation process.

If you’re living in an apartment, we highly recommend that you pick ones that are easy to install and don’t need a lot of tools.

You’ll also give yourself a better chance at getting your landlord to agree, as most easy-to-install cameras won’t damage doors and walls.

However, professional installation ensures the quality of work and safety but can cost more and take longer.

Here’s how to decide if you want to go the DIY route or hire a professional:

Camera Type	Power Source	Connectivity	Installation
Battery-powered	No wiring or drilling is required	WiFi or cellular network	DIY installation is possible and easy
Plug-in	Wiring and outlet access required	WiFi or cellular network	DIY installation is possible but may be messy
Solar-powered	No wiring or drilling is required	WiFi or cellular network	DIY installation is possible but may depend on sunlight availability
Wired	Wiring and DVR/NVR access required	Cables	Professional installation is recommended and may be costly
Wire-free or wired	Wiring and doorbell transformer access required	WiFi or cellular network	Professional installation is recommended and may be complex

Note: If you’re in an apartment, we recommend that you get the types of cameras that you’ll be able to install yourself easily and quickly, such as the battery-powered ones.

Understand the Privacy Laws in Your State or Location

Finally, it’s also important that you understand privacy laws in your state or location before installing a camera outside your door.

These laws vary from state to state, so they are going to affect how you’ll be able to use your camera legally and ethically.

Here are some privacy laws that you need to be aware of and look up:

Wiretapping laws
Video surveillance laws
Data protection laws

Troubleshooting Your Apartment Camera

After installing your camera, it’s unavoidable that you’re going to encounter problems with it.

When you do, don’t panic, as there are some common troubleshooting steps to take so you’ll be able to fix them.

Here are some that you need to remember:

Check that your camera has enough battery life.
If it’s the wired version, make sure it’s plugged in properly.
Make sure your camera is connected to the internet via WiFi or cellular network.
Remove some of your saved clips to clear up storage on your account.
Increase the motion sensitivity settings of your camera.
Wipe your camera’s lens to clean out dust and dirt.
Make sure your camera app is up to date.
Reboot your camera to refresh its connections and settings.

Note: If all else fails, we recommend contacting your camera’s customer support department.

Conclusion

Can I put a camera outside my apartment door? For the most part, yes, you should be able to install one. Just make sure that you talk to your landlord about it and respect the privacy of your neighbors.

For more information about installing a camera in your home or apartment, visit our blog!

Finn Wheatley

Finn Wheatley holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from UCL, London. He helped small data science consultancy firms, helping large corporations to grow their data capabilities, deploy advanced machine learning-based analytics and troubleshoot tech-related issues. Check out more about him here.