Security Cameras for Rental Properties: A Guide for Ontario Landlords
How landlords and property managers can use cameras on rental properties: common areas, parking, privacy boundaries, notice, and access to footage.
By the JD Home Services team3 min read
For landlords and property managers, cameras can help protect a building, deter vandalism and package theft, and give tenants more peace of mind. But rental properties are also people's homes, and tenants have a reasonable expectation of privacy. A good system respects both.
This guide covers the practical side of cameras on rental properties in Durham Region. It isn't legal advice; for specific situations, check current guidance or speak with a legal professional.
Where cameras make sense
Cameras are generally used in shared and exterior areas the landlord controls, such as:
- Main building entrances and lobbies
- Mailrooms and parcel areas
- Parking lots and garages
- Laundry rooms and shared storage
- Exterior walkways, bins, and back entrances
These are the places where most issues happen: package theft, vandalism, dumping, and unauthorized entry.
Where cameras don't belong
- Inside a tenant's unit. A rented unit is the tenant's home.
- Pointed into units through windows or doors.
- Private spaces such as washrooms or changing areas in shared facilities.
Also be cautious with audio recording, which raises additional privacy concerns.
Best practices for landlords
- Tell tenants. Explain where cameras are and why, and include it in lease information where appropriate.
- Post signage at entrances to camera-covered areas.
- Use privacy masking to block out any part of a view that would show into a unit.
- Limit access to footage to people who need it, with individual accounts.
- Keep footage only as long as needed, and have a simple written policy.
- Secure the recorder in a locked room or cabinet.
Smaller rentals and duplexes
For a house with a basement apartment or a duplex, cameras usually cover the exterior doors, driveway, and shared yard areas. Be careful where a unit's private entrance is concerned; covering a shared driveway is different from recording one tenant's comings and goings in detail. Talk with tenants and keep the setup reasonable.
Want a local technician to take a look?
JD Home Services is based in Oshawa and works across Durham Region. Tell us what's going on and we'll get back to you with clear options.
Features that help property managers
- Wired PoE cameras for reliable, continuous coverage. See PoE vs Wi-Fi.
- Local NVR recording, with no per-camera cloud fees across a building. See NVR vs cloud.
- Remote access for managers who oversee several properties.
- Smart search to find an incident quickly. See searching footage by description.
- Vehicle detection in parking areas.
Pair cameras with lock management
Cameras show what happened; good key control prevents problems. Rekeying between tenants makes sure old keys no longer work. Read rekey or replace your locks, and see our locksmith service for rental turnovers.
How we help landlords
Our security camera installation service plans coverage for common and exterior areas, sets up privacy masking, configures user access for owners and managers, and installs signage-ready systems. We work with landlords across Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, Pickering, Courtice, and Bowmanville.
Frequently asked questions
Can a landlord install cameras in common areas?
Cameras in common and exterior areas controlled by the landlord are common, with notice to tenants and appropriate signage. Check current guidance for your situation.
Can a landlord put a camera inside a rented unit?
No. A rented unit is the tenant's home, and cameras inside it would be a serious privacy intrusion.
Who should have access to the footage?
Only the people who need it, such as the owner or property manager, using individual accounts. Share footage with police or insurers when there's a legitimate need.
Should I rekey locks between tenants?
Yes, it's a widely recommended practice so previous tenants' keys no longer work.
Written by the JD Home Services team
We're a local team that repairs and installs garage doors and security camera systems across Durham Region. These guides answer the questions we hear most on the job. More about us
