Where Can Renters Place Security Cameras? (Without Breaking Lease Rules)
Last Updated: December 2025
Renters can use security cameras more easily than most people expect. Modern cameras don’t require drilling, screws, or special wiring. They sit on shelves, attach with removable adhesive, and come off cleanly when you move. That makes them perfect for apartments, studios, shared rentals, and short-term leases.
Most wireless cameras blend into your space naturally, and because they’re fully removable, they don’t count as a modification in most leases. As long as your camera stays inside your unit or uses a non-permanent mount, you’re well within normal rental rules. The trick is placing them in the right areas so you keep good visibility without causing lease issues.
👉 For a bigger-picture look at how all your devices work together, check out our guide to building a renter-friendly smart security setup.
🔍 Best Indoor Spots Renters Can Use
Indoor placement is the easiest and most reliable option. A small camera on a shelf or table can cover most of the room without touching a single screw.
Entryway corners work well because they give you a clear view of your door. Living room shelves or TV stands are great for checking pets or general activity. Hallway cabinets offer long, clean angles through the center of your apartment. Even a high kitchen shelf can watch over an entire studio layout.
Every one of these placements is fully removable and stays lease-safe.
🔍 Where Renters Should Not Place Cameras Indoors
Some parts of the home are privacy-sensitive. Avoid placing cameras in bathrooms, bedrooms used by roommates, or any area where guests expect complete privacy. Even if the device is turned off, these spots are best avoided.
🔍 Lease-Safe Outdoor or Entrance Options
Outdoor views require more awareness, but renters still have a few landlord-friendly options.
A camera placed inside your window facing outward can see the hallway, building entrance, or courtyard depending on your view. On a private balcony, a camera can face your space only. Peephole cameras are another smart choice because they replace only the interior side of your viewer and are completely reversible.
Some renters also mount an adhesive camera on the inside of their front door facing inward. Since nothing touches the exterior hardware, it’s almost always allowed.
🔍 Outdoor Placements Renters Should Avoid
Anything that alters the building exterior is typically off-limits. Avoid drilling outside walls, placing cameras in shared hallways, or pointing cameras toward neighboring balconies or windows. Doorbell cameras that replace exterior plates should only be used with landlord approval.
🔍 Tips for Better Visibility Without Breaking Lease Rules
High corners give you wider angles and keep devices out of the way. Wide-angle lenses help you cover more space with fewer cameras. Adhesive or magnetic mounts make repositioning simple if you need a better view. If you’re placing a camera behind glass, turning off infrared lights or using window mode helps reduce reflections.
📌 Key Takeaways
- Renters can place cameras in entryways, living rooms, hallways, and on high shelves
- Window-facing cameras are allowed when the device stays inside your unit
- Balcony cameras work as long as they focus only on your private space
- Peephole and adhesive interior mounts are fully lease-safe
- Avoid shared hallways, drilled mounts, and any privacy-sensitive rooms
🟢 FAQs
Q: Do renters need landlord permission for indoor cameras?
Not usually. Indoor cameras are removable and don’t alter the property.
Q: Can I point a camera toward the building hallway?
Yes, as long as the camera stays inside your unit and looks through a window or peephole.
Q: Are balcony cameras allowed?
Yes, as long as the view stays on your own balcony and avoids shared or neighboring spaces.
Q: What about video doorbells?
Landlords generally allow only non-permanent models like peel-and-stick or peephole-style designs.
✅ Conclusion
Renters have plenty of spots to place security cameras without causing lease issues. High shelves, window views, balcony angles, and simple adhesive mounts all give you solid coverage without altering the property. With today’s wireless cameras, it’s easy to watch over your apartment while keeping everything completely renter-friendly.
