Tenant Rights And Privacy

Summary

A tenant in Missouri installed a surveillance system after another tenant recorded his girlfriend without consent. The apartment management demanded the removal of the system, citing lease agreement clauses. The tenant fears eviction if he involves the police over the privacy invasion. The tenant was also verbally permitted to smoke marijuana on the premises, which was captured in the unauthorized video. The tenant is seeking legal advice to understand his rights and potential next steps.

Full Conversation

Another apartment tenant Video recorded my girlfriend While she was inside. Late then turned it in to Apartment management Apartment management then got ahold on me telling me of the video and of my girlfriend being recorded the only quarter that I didn't say that they would let me handle the issue in the video. And in doing so I installed Security surveillance inside and outside of home. Said people who took pictures of my cameras and gave them to apartment management. No apartment managemeit's threatening me that if I do not take down securities surveillance They will then they will evict me with the video the other tenant took without any knowledge of the inside of my apartment
What state are you located in? This will help me provide the most accurate information regarding your rights as a tenant and privacy laws.
Missouri
What is the specific reason given by the apartment management for asking you to remove the security surveillance?
Not allowed to make altercations or modifications to the apartment
What does your lease agreement say about making modifications or alterations to the apartment?

In Missouri:
- Tenants generally have the right to privacy in their rental unit.
- Landlords must provide notice before entering a tenant's unit.
My lease says i must asked management for modification or alteration approval. But I neither modified nor altered. Anything for surveillance system
What type of surveillance system did you install and how was it installed?
My surveillance system is a walmart brand surveillance system with Independent Wi-Fi bluetooth and phone connectivity I had outdoor camera mounted above my door frame now it is free standing on a tube in corner of front door other one is free mounted sitting on top refrigerator
Still there
Did you inform the apartment management about the video recording incident and your subsequent installation of the surveillance system?
The apartment manager is the one who told me about the video recording of my girlfriend while she was inside my apartment.They had me come into their office And they told me that the video had been given to them from somebody at the apartments. Immediately right after I installed the Surveillance cameras The apartment management Had already gotten a hold of me with pictures from the other tenat of camera demanding that i am to take them down just as fast i put them up
Did you get a written notice from the apartment management about the removal of the surveillance system?
No they Immediately sent a text message Demanding that I take them down
What was the exact wording of the text message sent by the apartment management?
****, i never gave permission give for any modifications, such as cameras. They need to be removed just as quickly as they were put up. We literally just had a meeting today about respect and i trust you’ll take care of this. Thank you. This is the exact message
Did you respond to the text message from the apartment management? If so, what was your response?
Yes ill send you the entire conversation
What was your response to the apartment management's text message?
I’m guessing you skipped over “*.* Alterations and Improvement”. You should go back and read that and know that if they don’t get taken down they will become the property of the land lord. Your should also Melissa, all i did was put up security system that watches my front door and in my household I even read over my lease before putting it up cause my lease didn't say anything bout me needing permission to put in security system so I am and was being respectful and earlier y'all said you'd let me handle/solve the situation which i did respectfully. even after i was told that the inside of my home was unlawfully record and was refused be showen said video now your asking me to remove the safety of my security system for very same people I don't see how that being respectful nor trustworthy this is my response
Did you receive any written notice about the eviction threat from the apartment management?
I’m guessing you skipped over “*.* Alterations and Improvement”. You should go back and read that and know that if they don’t get taken down they will become the property of the land lord. Your should also read “*.* Use of Premises”. With the proof that was sent to me I have the right to give you a ten day notice, but i was trying to show grace. If disrespect and bending the rules keeps happening then i will go through with the ten day notice. This is the only thing
What does section "*.* Alterations and Improvement" and "*.* Use of Premises" of your lease agreement state?
*.* Use of Premises. Tenants shall use the Premises as a residence only, and for no other purpose. The Premises shall not be used to carry on any type of business or trade, unless Tenant has received the prior written consent of the Landlord. Tenants will comply with all laws, rules, ordinances, statutes and orders regarding the use of the Premises. No criminal activity or drugs will be tolerated, if such activity or substance abuse is suspected or found, police will be notified. Tenants will be evicted and Lease will be exempt. Tenants will have ten (*) days to remove all personal belongings, anything left after the ten (*) days will be in possession of the Landlord.
What does section "*.* Alterations and Improvement" of your lease agreement state?
*.* Alterations and Improvements. Tenant agrees not to make any improvements or alterations or painting to the Premises without the prior written consent of the Landlord. If any alterations, improvements or changes are made to or built on or around the Premises, with the exception of fixtures and personal property that can be removed without damage to the Premises, they shall become the property of the Landlord and shall remain at the expiration of the Lease, unless otherwise agreed upon in writing.
What is the nature of the video that was recorded by the other tenant and handed over to the apartment management?
All they said was they were given a video, and in the video was a video of my girlfriend, and in the video, she was smoking something. They weren't sure of what it is It but think it methamphetamine and in which i told them that Marijuana does get smoked inside and gave me A-OK and authorization to smoke Marijuana in and on the premises and that they could kick me out but would let me hanlde the video issue with girlfriend cause ive been a good tenant on time and no problems i asked them to see video and who took it they then told me that they dont have to tell me cause it's irrelevant to the issue
Did you receive written permission from the landlord to smoke marijuana on the premises?
No, but they verbally told me it was okay.
No I did not they said they didnt have any issues with Marijuana being and then gave verbal permission to verify it i guess
Did you have any witnesses present when the landlord gave you verbal permission to smoke marijuana on the premises?
No, the landlord and the apartment manager had requested that I come alone to the office. To not bring anybody with me because they said after id arrived they didn't want my girlfriend to come. Considering that the topic an issue at head was about her.
What is the name and contact details of your apartment management?
Here is the info i had lost connection * S Main St, El Dorado Springs, MO * legacy rentals el dorado springs (*) *-* I know the apartment manager's name is melissa I Can't remember the landlord's name
What actions have you taken since our last conversation? Have you reported the incident to the police or spoken to the apartment manager, Melissa, about this issue?
Nothing am working its only been like * mins sense we last talked
Have you considered seeking legal advice regarding the invasion of privacy and the apartment management's demand to remove the cameras?
That why am talking to yall cause i dont know who to talk to nor what i can even do
Have you considered filing a complaint with the local police department about the invasion of privacy?
I have not like I stated earlier. I didn't know what I could do or should do about it. And I'm also worried about my landlord. Evicted me if I get police involved Over the invasion Of privacy regardless of what's on the video
Have you discussed your concerns about eviction with your landlord or Melissa, the apartment manager?

- In Missouri, landlords cannot retaliate against tenants for reporting illegal activities.
- El Dorado Springs Police Department: (*) *-*
- Legacy Rentals: (*) *-*, * S Main St, El Dorado Springs, MO *
No I have not because as soon as i received message I started looking for somebody. I can get consultation with to see what my choices where and what I should do from here
What is the nature of the video that was recorded without your girlfriend's consent? This could potentially be a violation of privacy laws.
I don't know exactly they had me come into the office and told me that the video was of my girlfriend inside my apartment and that it Showed her smoking something they didnt know what but think it is methamphetamine and in which already been told its okay to smoke marijuana in and on the premises.
Have you or your girlfriend given any consent to be filmed inside your apartment? In Missouri, it's generally illegal to record someone without their consent in a place where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy.
No we hadn't given any kind or anyone the consent to film us or inside of my apartment
Did you or your girlfriend give consent to the landlord or apartment management to install surveillance cameras inside your apartment?
It wasn't from surveillance cameras. Video was taken by another tenant and then given over to apartment manager
Did the apartment manager share the video with you or provide any evidence of its existence?
No when I asked to see video and for who took it i was denied cause they said that they didnt have to say cause it was irrelevant to the issue at hand
Did you inform the apartment manager that it's generally illegal in Missouri to record someone without their consent in a place where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy?
Ill send our conversation
Did you inform the apartment manager about the Missouri law that it's generally illegal to record someone without their consent in a place where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy?
Yes i did and after they said they let me handle/solve the issue myself so in return i myself installed surveillance system inside and outside apartment and in which Immediately after installing My own surveillance system immediately afterward The apartment management demands that i take it down just as quickly as Id put it up after receiving a picture of surveillance system from other tenant
Did you inform the apartment management about your surveillance system before installing it?

- In Missouri, landlords can set rules about modifications to the property.
- Legacy Rentals: (*) *-*, * S Main St, El Dorado Springs, MO *
No i hadn't i was going to set it up and then call personally to have them check it and see if it was in appropriate spot or not but had already texted me tell me to remove them or they'll go ahead and use video to evicte me
Are they're any layers you could recommend for me to talk to
I'm sorry, but as a free legal information service, we're unable to recommend specific lawyers. However, you can contact your local bar association for a referral.