Pennsylvania Laws on Surveillance Cameras in Common Areas
Renters throughout Pennsylvania often wonder whether their landlord can place surveillance cameras in hallways, laundry rooms, or entryways. Understanding your rights under state law is key to protecting your privacy while also staying secure. This guide explains how Pennsylvania addresses cameras in apartment common areas, and what legal protections tenants have against unwanted surveillance.
Are Surveillance Cameras Allowed in Apartment Common Areas?
Pennsylvania does not have a specific law prohibiting landlords from installing video cameras in shared or common spaces, such as hallways, building entrances, lobbies, mailrooms, or laundry facilities. However, there are strict rules regarding privacy and the reasonable expectation of privacy within rental housing.
- Common areas are generally considered less private, and security cameras are usually allowed as long as they don’t record inside individual units or private spaces like bathrooms.
- Landlords cannot install cameras in locations where tenants expect privacy, such as inside apartments, bedrooms, or bathrooms.
- Audio recording is much more restricted: under the Pennsylvania Wiretapping and Electronic Surveillance Control Act, it is illegal to record audio conversations without consent.1
For many buildings, cameras are used for security, monitoring property damage, or preventing unauthorized access. But the use of cameras should be reasonable, not intrusive.
What Is Considered a "Reasonable Expectation of Privacy"?
Under Pennsylvania landlord-tenant law, tenants have a right to enjoy their home without unreasonable intrusion. While common spaces can be monitored to keep buildings safe, video surveillance should avoid capturing footage of private living quarters or using technology (like microphones) that could breach privacy.
What to Do If You’re Concerned About Cameras
If you feel a camera in a common area invades your privacy or records more than it should, take the following steps:
- Document: Take photos or videos of where cameras are installed, noting if they face apartment doors or inside units.
- Communicate: Ask your landlord in writing about the camera’s purpose and what is being recorded.
- Check Your Lease: Review your rental agreement for rules about cameras or security monitoring.
- Contact Authorities: If you suspect illegal audio recording or an extreme privacy violation, file a complaint with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General or local police.
Relevant Official Forms
- Consumer Complaint Form (Office of Attorney General)
Use this form if you need to report your landlord for an alleged violation related to unlawful surveillance or privacy concerns. Fill it out online or print and mail it to the Bureau of Consumer Protection.
Consumer Complaint Form
Example: If you notice a new camera outside your apartment door pointed toward your living space, and your landlord refuses to address the concern, you can document the issue and submit the Consumer Complaint Form for assistance.
Pennsylvania Tenancy Law and Official Tribunal
The main law governing landlord and tenant relationships in Pennsylvania is the Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951.2 While this statute does not mention cameras specifically, it does protect tenants' rights to quiet enjoyment and their right to privacy within their home. If you have a dispute with your landlord over surveillance, these matters are typically handled in Magisterial District Court (for local cases) or your county’s Court of Common Pleas.3
For privacy law regarding audio recording, refer to the Pennsylvania Wiretap Act.
FAQ: Security Cameras and Your Privacy in Pennsylvania Rentals
- Can my landlord put cameras in the hallway or lobby of my building in Pennsylvania?
Yes, landlords may install cameras in common areas such as lobbies and hallways, provided the cameras do not record inside your apartment or in private spaces. Surveillance is generally permitted for security but must respect reasonable privacy expectations. - Is my landlord allowed to record audio in common areas?
No, Pennsylvania’s Wiretap Act prohibits audio recordings without the consent of all parties. Video-only surveillance is allowed in common areas, but audio surveillance is usually illegal unless everyone being recorded agrees. - What should I do if a camera seems to record into my apartment?
Document the problem, contact your landlord in writing, and if needed, file a complaint using the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General’s Consumer Complaint Form. If you still feel your privacy is violated, seek help from tenant resources or local authorities. - Where can I resolve a dispute over surveillance in my building?
If you cannot resolve the issue with your landlord, you can bring the dispute to your local Magisterial District Court or county Court of Common Pleas. These courts often handle landlord-tenant privacy matters. - Do I need to be notified before cameras are installed?
Pennsylvania law does not require landlords to notify tenants before installing cameras in common areas. However, best practices and some lease agreements may call for prior notice to maintain good landlord-tenant relations.
Need Help? Resources for Renters
- Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General – Landlord-Tenant Issues
- File a Consumer Complaint (Bureau of Consumer Protection)
- Find your local Magisterial District Court
- Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency – Tenant Services
- Pennsylvania Wiretap Act (18 Pa.C.S. § 5701 et seq): View full statute
- Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 (68 Pa.C.S. §§ 250.101 et seq): Full text of the law
- Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System – Magisterial District Courts: Official court website
Categories
Renter Rights & Legal Protections Lease Agreements & Renewals Rent, Fees & Security Deposits Moving In: Inspections & Disclosures Moving Out & Ending a Lease Maintenance, Repairs & Habitability Health & Safety Standards Evictions & Lease Violations Roommates, Subletting & Shared Housing Discrimination & Fair Housing Laws Accessibility & Disability Accommodations Utilities, Services & Billing Affordable Housing & Rental Assistance Rent Control & Rent Stabilization Privacy Rights & Landlord Entry Security, Locks & Emergency Protections Dispute Resolution & Legal Aid Retaliation & Harassment Protections Mobile Home & Manufactured Housing Rights Special Housing Types & SituationsRelated Articles
- When Can Pennsylvania Tenants Change Apartment Locks? · June 21, 2025 June 21, 2025
- Pennsylvania Tenant Rights: Domestic Violence Protections · June 21, 2025 June 21, 2025
- Smoke Alarm Rules for Pennsylvania Renters · June 21, 2025 June 21, 2025
- Pennsylvania Renter Rights: Locked Out? What To Do Next · June 21, 2025 June 21, 2025
- Pennsylvania Renters’ Rights in Floods and Storm Emergencies · June 21, 2025 June 21, 2025
- Pennsylvania Emergency Exit Lighting Rules for Renters · June 21, 2025 June 21, 2025
- Pennsylvania Security Deposit vs. Damage Deposit Rules Explained · June 21, 2025 June 21, 2025
- Pennsylvania Emergency Maintenance Hotline Rules for Renters · June 21, 2025 June 21, 2025
- Pennsylvania Renters: Fire Sprinkler Inspection Rules & Your Rights · June 21, 2025 June 21, 2025