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Can my landlord add cameras in the staircase of where I live?

The following is an actual conversation between an Uprise RI user and our Helping Hand chat assistant. The most helpful conversations, as determined by our editors, will be showcased on our homepage, with personally identifying details removed when applicable.

Posted April 22, 2024

User: Can my landlord add cameras in the staircase of where I live?

The Helping Hand: In Rhode Island, landlords can generally install cameras in common areas like staircases for security purposes. However, they must not invade tenants’ reasonable expectation of privacy. Cameras cannot be in areas where tenants expect privacy, such as inside their apartments or in bathrooms. The use of surveillance should also comply with state laws regarding privacy and data protection. If you’re concerned about the cameras, you might want to discuss the matter with your landlord or seek legal advice to ensure that your privacy rights are respected.

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