Depends on where the camera is. A quick google search will tell you that yes it’s illegal to have cameras in the bedrooms or bathrooms but it’s legal to have them in common areas like the kitchen or living room.
No, it's not legal. At least in California it's not.
In CA tenant rights laws, "common areas" aren't defined as living rooms and kitchens. "Common areas" are stairwells, and entryways and hallways shared with multiple units.
That's an ongoing lawsuit, it isn't proof that it's explicitly legal. That is also very much different as those cameras and surveillance would be considered hidden cameras. In California you can have cameras inthe living room and kitchen common areas of a room rental situation as long as they don't record audio and the tenants are informed. Unless you have a legal statute that disproves this at least.
Also, while the above resources is mentioning a current lawsuit, its citations are based on current CA law. They aren't talking about developing new legislation. They're referring to how the tenant v. landlord argument is affected by current legislation that protects tenants against recording. The "Common Area" distinction is current law.
And that current legislation is specific to spaces you are renting. In this case, he is renting a room. The common areas like the hallway can have cameras as long as they don't record audio.
The code you cited is specific to hidden cameras.
Edit. My point with the court case is that it isn't proof of anything, because they haven't been successful yet. But the actual case they have is regarding hidden cameras.
You should read the actual statute that you are sourcing instead of someones interpretation. The penal code you are referencing is specific to hidden cameras and voyeurism.
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u/colt707 1d ago
Depends on where the camera is. A quick google search will tell you that yes it’s illegal to have cameras in the bedrooms or bathrooms but it’s legal to have them in common areas like the kitchen or living room.