Keeping a Close Eye on House Hunters With Security Surveillance

Is this even legal?

Don’t get too riled up though, monitoring home buyers in secret isn’t the norm but the exception… at least for now. According to a survey conducted by Harris Poll for NerdWallet, only 15% of owners have ever used their home security system for such surveillance purposes. At the same time, around 67% admitted that they either plan to do so or at least considered the idea, which could mean a potential risk to the buyer’s privacy in the future.

The legality of spying on house hunters is hard to judge because surveillance laws differ in each state. In general terms, using devices capable of recording audio or video without the target’s consent is illegal as long it happens in an area where a reasonable assumption of privacy is possible. However, whether or not you can expect privacy in someone else’s property – since at the time of a visit you don’t own it – is debatable, which is why the whole issue is a grey area.

The morally acceptable act would be for the homeowner to put up a sign or inform the guests about the live recording of the cameras. Doing so, however, would defeat the whole purpose of the eavesdropping. As for the house hunters, all that we can recommend is to curb their reaction and ensure a poker face throughout the tour of the property.

And what about the burglars?

Actually, there is a third reason why someone would use an IP camera to check those snooping around in the building, and it’s for genuine security purposes. You’ll never know whether the alleged buyers are burglars in disguise, surveying the layout for a future break-in. Even worse, some unscrupulous individuals might even pocket a few valuables when no one is looking. Having a live surveillance system recording their face not only provides evidence after a theft, but also discourages any criminals from proceeding with their plan.