NYC Apartment Security: Essential Safety Tips & What You Need to Know About Camera Laws
With over 11,000 burglaries reported in NYC year-to-date in 2025—and that's just burglary alone—many apartment residents don't realize their security vulnerabilities or their legal rights when it comes to protecting their homes with cameras. Whether you're considering a doorbell camera for your front door or wondering what building surveillance you're entitled to, understanding both NYC security camera laws and practical safety measures can make the difference between feeling secure and actually being secure in your apartment.
This guide provides NYC apartment and condo residents with actionable safety tips for urban living alongside a comprehensive breakdown of security camera laws—covering what you can install in your unit, what landlords can do in common areas, and how to protect your privacy while enhancing your security.
Understanding Your Security Rights as an NYC Tenant
Before diving into the specifics of what cameras you can install or what your building can monitor, it's essential to understand the legal framework governing apartment security in New York City. Both tenants and landlords have rights and obligations when it comes to security measures, and these rules exist to balance legitimate security needs with fundamental privacy protections.
New York's surveillance laws differ significantly from other states, with specific provisions designed to protect residents from invasive monitoring while still allowing property owners to secure common areas. The key principle underlying all these regulations is the concept of "reasonable expectation of privacy"—a legal standard that determines where surveillance is appropriate and where it crosses into unlawful territory.
Understanding these boundaries helps you make informed decisions about your own security measures while recognizing when building management may be overstepping legal limits.
What NYC Tenants CAN Do: Personal Security Camera Installation
Inside Your Apartment
The good news for NYC renters is that you have considerable freedom to install security cameras within your own apartment. WiFi-enabled security cameras that don't require drilling or permanent wiring are generally allowed in NYC apartments, giving you flexibility to monitor entry points, common areas of your unit, and valuables without violating your lease.
You have full discretion to place cameras in your living room, kitchen, bedroom, and other personal spaces. However, even within your own apartment, you cannot install cameras in areas where guests or visitors have a reasonable expectation of privacy—this means bathrooms are always off-limits, and guest bedrooms should not be monitored when occupied by visitors.
The critical distinction here is between non-permanent installations (mounting with adhesive, standing on surfaces, or using temporary brackets) and hard-wired systems that require drilling through walls or running cables through the building's infrastructure. The former is typically permissible; the latter requires explicit written permission from your landlord.
Doorbell Cameras and Exterior Mounting
Doorbell cameras have become increasingly popular for NYC apartment dwellers, but they come with important restrictions that many residents don't realize. Tenants can install cameras outside their apartment if it doesn't cause building damage, which generally means using damage-free adhesive mounts or attaching to existing door hardware.
However, here's the critical restriction that gets many tenants into trouble: Cameras cannot face other tenants' entrances, windows, yards, or parking areas. Your doorbell camera should only cover your own doorway and the immediate space directly in front of your apartment—not the entire hallway, not your neighbor's door across the hall, and certainly not angled to capture foot traffic throughout the corridor.
Many co-op and condo buildings require board approval before installing any exterior-facing cameras, even doorbell cameras. This isn't just a formality—boards are legally responsible for ensuring that resident-installed surveillance doesn't violate other tenants' privacy rights. Before purchasing that Ring or Nest doorbell, check your building's rules and get any required approvals in writing.
Best practices for doorbell camera installation:
Angle the camera to capture only your doorway, not hallway traffic
Use a narrow field of view setting if your camera offers this option
Position the camera to avoid capturing your neighbor's door or activities
Consider a camera with privacy zones that can digitally block out neighboring areas
Audio Recording Restrictions
Here's where things get legally complex: New York is a "one-party consent" state for audio recording, which means you can legally record a conversation if you're a participant in it. However, doorbell cameras recording audio in hallways create significant legal gray areas.
When your doorbell camera is recording audio in the hallway, you're capturing conversations where you're not a participant—delivery people talking on their phones, neighbors chatting as they pass your door, or building staff discussing work matters. Even though hallways are common areas, recording conversations in common areas could violate the Federal Wiretap Act and Article 250 of NY Penal Law if those individuals have a reasonable expectation that their conversations aren't being recorded.
The safest approach? Disable audio recording on any cameras facing hallways or common areas. Modern doorbell cameras offer excellent video quality that provides security benefits without the legal complications of audio surveillance. You can still communicate with visitors through two-way audio when you're actively using the intercom feature—the prohibition applies to continuous, passive audio recording.
What You CANNOT Do
Even as a tenant protecting your own security, certain installations are absolutely prohibited:
No cameras in common areas without permission. You cannot install cameras in hallways, elevators, lobbies, or other shared spaces without explicit written consent from building management. Placing cameras in common areas is a firm "no" unless you have express consent from your landlord and, in many cases, other tenants. These are shared spaces where your unilateral security measures could infringe on everyone else's privacy.
No lock changes without permission. While it might seem like a simple security upgrade, you cannot change locks on your apartment door without your landlord's permission. Landlords need emergency access for maintenance and urgent situations. If you're concerned about previous tenants having keys, request that your landlord rekey the locks—most are willing to accommodate this reasonable security concern.
No permanent alterations. Hard-wired security systems, cameras that require running cables through walls, or installations requiring drilling are off-limits without written landlord approval. You're liable for damage caused by unauthorized alterations, and your security deposit may not cover professional restoration costs.
No surveillance of neighboring spaces. Your cameras cannot point at neighboring apartments' windows, private outdoor spaces, or other areas where residents have legitimate privacy expectations. Even if you're technically installing the camera on your property, aiming it at someone else's private space violates their rights.
What Landlords and Buildings CAN Do: Common Area Surveillance
Understanding what your building can legally monitor helps you know what surveillance to expect and what might constitute an invasion of privacy.
Where Buildings Can Place Cameras
Common surveillance locations include entrances and exits, lobbies, elevators, mailrooms, storage rooms, parking garages, and amenity spaces like pools, gyms, and laundry rooms. These are considered semi-public or common areas where residents don't have a reasonable expectation of privacy.
Hallway cameras are permissible but must be carefully positioned. They should capture general hallway activity without peering into apartment units. A properly positioned hallway camera monitors who's walking through the corridor but doesn't capture what's happening inside apartments when doors open.
Building surveillance serves legitimate purposes: deterring package theft, documenting trespassing incidents, providing evidence for criminal investigations, monitoring for unauthorized access, and creating safer environments for all residents. When properly implemented, building-wide access control systems integrated with video surveillance provide comprehensive security without compromising individual privacy.
Where Buildings CANNOT Place Cameras
The restrictions on building management are even more stringent than those on individual tenants. It is illegal to place cameras inside rented units without tenant knowledge and permission—this applies to kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, and living areas. Even if a landlord has legitimate concerns about property damage or lease violations, secret surveillance of tenant living spaces is absolutely prohibited.
Additionally, Section 203-C of NY State Labor Law prohibits recording in restrooms, locker rooms, and changing areas. This applies even in common areas—your building's gym locker room cannot have surveillance cameras, period. While cameras might be positioned outside these areas to monitor entry and exit, they cannot capture what happens inside these privacy-protected spaces.
Landlords cannot secretly monitor tenants under any circumstances. Even if a landlord suspects illegal activity, unauthorized surveillance of tenant living spaces opens them to serious civil and criminal liability.
Audio Recording in Buildings
It's uncommon for buildings to install audio-recording cameras due to legal and privacy concerns. Video surveillance of common areas is generally accepted, but audio recording introduces significant complications.
Audio captured outside restrooms or locker rooms could constitute unlawful eavesdropping per Section 250.05 of NY labor law, particularly if residents are unaware their conversations are being recorded. Even casual conversations in hallways or lobbies may be protected, as individuals speaking in these semi-private spaces don't necessarily expect their discussions to be recorded and archived.
If your building does use audio-enabled surveillance, they should provide clear notice through signage indicating that both video and audio recording are in use.
Signage and Notification
Interestingly, New York law doesn't require written notice for cameras in common areas, though it's recommended practice. However, transparency builds trust between management and residents. Best-practice buildings post clear signage indicating "This area is under video surveillance" at entrances and throughout monitored spaces.
This notification serves multiple purposes: it enhances the deterrent effect of cameras, demonstrates good-faith transparency, reduces potential complaints from residents, and provides legal protection for the building if footage is later used in investigations.
NYC Privacy Laws You Need to Know
Understanding the specific legal protections ensures you can recognize violations and assert your rights when necessary.
NY Penal Law § 250.45 - Unlawful Surveillance
This is the cornerstone of NYC surveillance law. It's a Class E felony to use imaging devices to surreptitiously view, broadcast, or record someone with a reasonable expectation of privacy. The key word is "surreptitiously"—secret, hidden, or covert surveillance.
The law applies to bedrooms, bathrooms, changing rooms, fitting rooms, and similar private spaces. Importantly, when cameras are installed in these areas, there's a rebuttable presumption that they were installed for no legitimate purpose. This means the burden shifts to the person who installed the camera to prove they had legitimate reasons—and in residential contexts, that's nearly impossible to establish.
Violations can result in felony convictions carrying up to four years in prison, and in certain circumstances, offenders may be required to register as sex offenders. The state takes these privacy violations extremely seriously.
What Constitutes "Reasonable Expectation of Privacy"
This legal standard is central to understanding your rights. You have a reasonable expectation of privacy in:
The interior of your apartment
Bathrooms and changing areas anywhere
Private outdoor spaces associated with your unit
You're also protected from neighbors pointing cameras at your windows or outdoor recreational spaces under the "Backyard Surveillance Law", which provides civil remedies against unauthorized video surveillance of residential recreational activities.
Conversely, you generally do not have a reasonable expectation of privacy in:
Building lobbies and common hallways
Public sidewalks and streets
Shared amenity spaces (though changing rooms within those spaces are protected)
Parking garages and exterior building areas
Understanding these distinctions helps you determine what surveillance is lawful and what crosses legal boundaries.
Condo and Co-op Specific Rules
Co-op and condo buildings often have additional layers of regulation beyond general landlord-tenant law. Boards commonly require approval before residents install doorbell cameras, and many have specific policies about exterior surveillance.
Common rules include requiring board approval and prohibiting video doorbells from directly facing another unit. These policies aren't arbitrary—boards have fiduciary duties to all residents and must balance individual security desires with community privacy expectations.
If you're in a co-op or condo, review your building's house rules and proprietary lease or offering plan before installing any security equipment. For comprehensive apartment building access control that benefits all residents while respecting privacy, buildings should work with professional security engineers who understand these complex requirements.
Essential Apartment Safety Tips for NYC Residents
While cameras provide important security, they're just one component of comprehensive apartment safety. Here are practical measures every NYC resident should implement:
Physical Security Measures
Secure your entry points. Your apartment door is your primary defense. Ensure you have a solid deadbolt (not just a simple key-in-knob lock), reinforced strike plates secured with three-inch screws that penetrate the door frame studs, and a wide-angle peephole or smart doorbell for visitor verification.
Address window vulnerabilities. Ground-floor apartments and those with fire escape access need window locks on all accessible windows. Consider window security bars for high-risk access points, though ensure they have quick-release mechanisms to allow emergency egress. Window air conditioners should be secured from being pushed in from outside.
Sliding door protection. If you have a terrace or balcony with sliding doors, install a security bar in the track and consider adding a pin lock at the top of the door. These simple additions prevent doors from being forced open even if the main lock is compromised.
Request lock changes. When moving into a new apartment, ask your landlord about rekeying the locks. You never know how many copies of the old keys exist or who might have access. Most landlords are receptive to this reasonable security request, particularly if you offer to pay for the service.
Access Control Best Practices
Never buzz in unknown visitors. It's tempting to simply buzz someone in when they ring, especially during food deliveries or package arrivals. Always verify identity first. Legitimate delivery personnel will provide your name and order information.
Prevent tailgating. Don't hold building doors open for people you don't recognize, even if they claim to live there or are visiting another resident. If someone belongs in your building, they have their own means of access. Being security-conscious isn't being rude—it's protecting your entire building community.
Verify service workers. Maintenance workers, exterminators, or other service providers should have identifiable uniforms or credentials. When in doubt, call your building management to confirm they've scheduled service.
Report security failures immediately. Broken entrance locks, malfunctioning intercom systems, propped-open security doors, or damaged access control equipment should be reported to management immediately. These failures expose your entire building to risk.
Change provided codes. If your building uses keypad entry or you employ service workers who know your door codes, change these codes periodically and always after terminating services or ending relationships with people who had access.
Technology-Based Security
Smart locks with logging. With landlord approval, smart locks offer significant security advantages over traditional keys. They log every entry and exit, allow you to grant temporary access to guests or service providers, and can be remotely controlled. They're particularly valuable for short-term subletting or when coordinating apartment access with others.
Motion-sensor lighting. Well-lit entryways deter crime and enhance personal safety. Motion-activated lights at your apartment door and building entrances make it difficult for criminals to lurk unnoticed.
Indoor cameras focused on entry points. Position interior cameras to monitor your apartment door, windows, and high-value property locations. Modern indoor cameras offer person-detection, two-way audio, and mobile notifications when motion is detected.
Package theft prevention. With package theft increasingly common in NYC apartment buildings, consider requiring signature delivery for valuable items, using package notification apps, requesting deliveries when you're home, or utilizing secure package lockers if your building offers them. A well-positioned doorbell camera can also deter package thieves.
Building Amenity Safety
Use amenity spaces wisely. Avoid using laundry rooms, gyms, or storage areas alone late at night when the building is quiet. If you must access these spaces during off-hours, let someone know where you're going and when you expect to return.
Secure valuables. Don't leave personal belongings unattended in gyms or laundry rooms, even briefly. Bring only what you need and keep valuables secured or on your person.
Report suspicious activity. If you notice someone repeatedly hanging around your building without apparent purpose, see unauthorized access attempts, or observe suspicious behavior, report it immediately to both building management and NYPD. Trust your instincts—if something feels wrong, it might be.
Know emergency protocols. Understand your building's emergency contacts, evacuation procedures, and what to do in various crisis scenarios. This knowledge is security.
Behavioral Security Awareness
Vary your routine. Predictable patterns make you vulnerable. Vary your departure and arrival times when possible, take different routes occasionally, and don't establish easily observable routines that criminals might exploit.
Discretion with purchases. When you buy expensive electronics or other valuable items, dispose of boxes discreetly. Don't advertise new purchases by leaving identifiable packaging at the curb. Break down boxes and place them inside trash bags or recycling bins.
Build community. Get to know your neighbors. Buildings with strong resident relationships are inherently safer because residents watch out for each other, recognize who belongs, and communicate about security concerns. Consider joining or creating building group chats for security alerts.
Beware social engineering. Criminals increasingly use sophisticated tactics to gain building access. Fake maintenance workers, impersonated delivery personnel, or individuals claiming emergencies are common schemes. Always verify identities and don't let sympathetic impulses override security judgment.
Social media discretion. Avoid posting about vacations or extended absences before they happen. Don't share building access codes, intercom codes, or security system details online. Photos of your apartment's interior can inadvertently reveal security weaknesses or valuable property locations.
Lighting and Visibility
Maintain entrance lighting. Keep your apartment's entry area well-lit. Criminals prefer darkness. If you're responsible for exterior lighting (ground-floor apartments with separate entrances), ensure motion-sensor lights are functional.
Report lighting failures. Broken lights in hallways, stairwells, parking areas, or building exteriors should be reported immediately. These failures create vulnerability for all residents.
Use timers when away. Light timers create the appearance of occupancy when you're traveling. Modern smart bulbs can be programmed to follow realistic patterns rather than turning on and off at exactly the same time daily.
Balance privacy with visibility. While you want privacy, maintaining some visibility from the street can deter burglars who prefer unobserved work. Find the balance that works for your security needs and personal comfort.
What to Do If Your Security or Privacy Is Compromised
Despite best efforts, violations occur. Knowing how to respond protects your rights and helps resolve problems effectively.
If Your Privacy is Violated by Cameras
If you discover a neighbor has installed a camera that captures your apartment, doorway, or private activities:
Document everything. Take photos showing the camera's position and what it potentially captures. Note dates, times, and any interactions with the camera owner.
Contact your board or management. Verify whether the installation was approved and request that they investigate to determine the camera's viewpoints and whether audio is being recorded.
Understand potential violations. If audio recording is discovered, the neighbor may have violated the Federal Wiretap Act and NY Article 250. This isn't a minor rule violation—it's a serious legal offense with criminal implications.
Consult an attorney if necessary. If informal resolution fails or the violation is egregious, consult a real estate attorney who handles privacy issues. You may have grounds for civil action, and in serious cases, criminal complaints may be appropriate.
Don't retaliate. Resist the temptation to point your own camera at the offending neighbor's space or take other retaliatory action. This only creates additional legal problems. Address violations through proper channels.
If Your Landlord Violates Surveillance Laws
Landlord violations are particularly serious because of the power imbalance in the landlord-tenant relationship.
You have several options including filing complaints, requesting removal, and documenting violations. Send written notice to your landlord documenting the violation and demanding removal of any unlawful surveillance equipment. Keep copies of all correspondence.
Critically, anti-retaliation protections exist if your landlord threatens non-renewal or takes other adverse actions because you complained about surveillance. Most jurisdictions prohibit landlords from retaliating against tenants who assert their legal rights.
If your landlord has installed cameras inside your unit without permission or in areas where you have reasonable privacy expectations, this may constitute both a lease violation and a criminal offense. Contact a tenant rights attorney immediately.
Reporting Security Concerns
Building management first. For most security concerns—broken locks, nonfunctional intercoms, inadequate lighting, suspicious activity—your first point of contact should be building management or your co-op/condo board.
NYC Department of Buildings. For code violations, illegal alterations, or dangerous building conditions that management won't address, file complaints with DOB.
NYPD. For criminal activity, immediate security threats, or ongoing harassment, contact the NYPD. Non-emergency complaints can be filed through 311, while immediate threats warrant 911 calls.
NYC Commission on Human Rights. If security measures seem targeted at specific residents based on protected characteristics, this may constitute discrimination. The Commission investigates such complaints.
For buildings seeking comprehensive security improvements that balance resident safety with privacy protection, professional security assessments identify vulnerabilities and recommend solutions that comply with all applicable laws.
Best Practices Checklist for NYC Apartment Security
Use this checklist to ensure you're maximizing security while respecting legal boundaries:
Before Installing Any Security Device:
☑ Review your lease for restrictions on "alterations," "installations," or "drilling"
☑ Choose damage-free mounting options (adhesive, freestanding, or tension mounts)
☑ Obtain written landlord or board approval if required
☑ Ensure cameras don't capture neighbors' private spaces
☑ Disable audio recording on exterior-facing cameras
☑ Test positioning to verify coverage area and privacy compliance
Regular Security Maintenance:
☑ Test all door locks monthly to ensure they're functioning properly
☑ Update smart device firmware to patch security vulnerabilities
☑ Review camera footage storage and deletion policies to comply with privacy best practices
☑ Maintain positive relationships with building security staff
☑ Keep emergency contact numbers readily accessible
☑ Document all security concerns in writing for your records
Community Security Participation:
☑ Attend building security meetings or committee meetings
☑ Participate in neighborhood watch programs or building security initiatives
☑ Share (appropriate) security information with neighbors
☑ Support building investments in professional security systems
How Professional Security Assessments Help
NYC apartment security requires balancing technology, physical measures, legal compliance, and community dynamics. It's more complex than simply buying cameras or installing smart locks.
Professional security assessments identify vulnerabilities specific to your building type, construction era, tenant demographics, and neighborhood characteristics. Understanding how NYC Local Laws, Multiple Dwelling Law requirements, building codes, and privacy regulations intersect ensures that security measures actually enhance safety rather than create legal liability.
At Connextivity, our CPP-certified security engineers understand both residential security needs and NYC's complex regulatory environment. We help property managers and condo/co-op boards implement compliant, effective security solutions—from access control systems integrated with video surveillance to modern intercom systems that enhance building security while respecting resident privacy.
Whether you're a property manager seeking comprehensive building security or a resident concerned about your personal safety, understanding the intersection of technology, law, and practical security measures is essential.
Securing Your Home, Respecting Your Community
NYC apartment security isn't just about protecting your personal space—it's about contributing to a safer building community while respecting everyone's privacy rights. The laws governing surveillance and security exist because privacy is fundamental, but they also recognize legitimate security needs.
Key takeaways from this guide:
Residents have significant freedom to protect their own apartments with cameras and security devices, but this freedom has clear boundaries where it impacts neighbors' privacy.
Buildings can monitor common areas where residents don't have reasonable privacy expectations, but cannot surveil private spaces under any circumstances.
Legal compliance protects everyone. When residents and buildings follow surveillance laws, the entire community benefits from enhanced security without privacy violations.
Technology is one piece of a comprehensive security strategy. Physical security measures, behavioral awareness, and community engagement are equally important.
Professional guidance ensures security investments work within NYC's regulatory framework while actually enhancing safety.
Before moving forward with any security installations or if you have concerns about existing surveillance in your building, take time to understand both your rights and your responsibilities. Good security doesn't require privacy violations—it requires thoughtful implementation of measures that protect everyone.
Reflect on Your Current Security
Consider these questions as you evaluate your apartment security:
Does your current setup comply with NYC surveillance laws, or could you be inadvertently violating neighbors' privacy?
Have you implemented basic physical security measures beyond just cameras—quality locks, secure windows, proper lighting?
Do you know your rights regarding building surveillance, and have you reviewed where your building has cameras installed?
Are you contributing to building security through good practices like not propping doors, verifying visitors, and reporting concerns?
If you're installing cameras, are you absolutely certain they don't capture neighbors' private spaces or record audio in common areas?
What's been your experience with apartment security in NYC? Have you encountered challenges installing cameras, concerns about building surveillance, or disputes with neighbors or management over privacy issues? We encourage you to share your experiences and questions with us.
Understanding these issues helps the entire NYC residential community stay safer, better informed, and more respectful of each other's rights. If you're a property manager or board member seeking professional guidance on implementing compliant security solutions, Connextivity's security engineers are available to discuss how we can help you balance security needs with legal requirements and resident expectations.