Motion cameras for tenants

[SimplySpace]

Does anyone on here offer cameras inside customer spaces?

We are looking at ways to continue to beef up our security and thought this could be an added bonus since no one in our area is offering it and our area is growing. We are just curious to find out what companies people have used, what kind of hardware/software would be needed, how successful it's been at your site, etc..

Thanks in advance!

[Storman]

I don't think having cameras inside a rented space is a good idea. I, for one, would have no interest in management watching me inside my space. Common areas like hallways and elevators I understand, but a camera in my space would be a non-starter for me. Also, the cost of this would be prohibitive and (IMO) increase your liability. I'd assume you'd have to disclose this camera inside the space, and explain it's for added security, you've then increased your liability in every single unit on your facility. You'd better hope every camera works all the time....

[SimplySpace]

I don't think having cameras inside a rented space is a good idea. I, for one, would have no interest in management watching me inside my space. Common areas like hallways and elevators I understand, but a camera in my space would be a non-starter for me. Also, the cost of this would be prohibitive and (IMO) increase your liability. I'd assume you'd have to disclose this camera inside the space, and explain it's for added security, you've then increased your liability in every single unit on your facility. You'd better hope every camera works all the time....

Oh, I hear you on that. I definitely don't want that responsibility. I'm speaking about wireless cameras that can be installed for an added cost at the request of the customer. Of course there would have to be language in the contract or addendum to where they would be responsible for letting you know if the camera is malfunctioning or off-line.

I don't even know how possible it is, but I was more or less thinking it would be accessible to the customer on a cloud-based system and it could be triggered by motion to where they might get an alert on their phone, similar to a Ring doorbell or those other systems.

[Storman]

great, so a mouse scampers by and they get an alert. Are you sure you've thought this through?

I see only downsides to this idea, the fractional increase in rent would not be worth all the hassles. I would not want to be tech support for people that don't know how to connect to a camera or otherwise have connection issues. I also don't have wifi service throughout my property, just here in the office.

[SBAZ]

We have them everywhere. but not in the units, just say even if a person broke in to the unit. One: they will probably see the camera and take that with the other stuff/ two: even having cameras, you cant identify people, and I would never tell anyone "we have cameras for your security". They are just a deterrent, I tell everyone, yes I have a lot of cameras, door alarms, etc, but we never guarantee anything, but maybe I could track it down.... We have 49 cameras thru out the facility, hallways etc... (only 403 units, so that is plenty) you should make sure you have the gate and lights and cameras. but like Storman said you are really opening yourself up for liability even having them in the units, you are creating a false security.. I am sad it is that bad in your area to need a camera in each unit.. The world is a sad place anymore....

[KrisinCali]

Probably less hassle getting a guard dog and letting it run at night. And/or a security guard if it's that bad in your area.

[Clarkstoragellc]

SimplySpace Google and talk with Angel Aspirations. Especially if you do RV parking.

[SimplySpace]

great, so a mouse scampers by and they get an alert. Are you sure you've thought this through?

I see only downsides to this idea, the fractional increase in rent would not be worth all the hassles. I would not want to be tech support for people that don't know how to connect to a camera or otherwise have connection issues. I also don't have wifi service throughout my property, just here in the office.

I see downsides too. I just know the technology is there and was checking to see if anyone has experience with it. I know there are facilities that offer it and have supposedly had a lot of success with it, however, not a lot of them are willing to share information like this site.

[SimplySpace]

I am sad it is that bad in your area to need a camera in each unit.. The world is a sad place anymore....

We don't NEED the cameras in each unit, we just have other companies in CA that offer it and we want to get ahead of it. We have zero issues with break-ins or anything of that sort. We have had people ask us if this is something we offer so I thought I would check with you guys to see if anyone has experience with it.

[SBAZ]

We don't NEED the cameras in each unit, we just have other companies in CA that offer it and we want to get ahead of it. We have zero issues with break-ins or anything of that sort. We have had people ask us if this is something we offer so I thought I would check with you guys to see if anyone has experience with it.

Understandable! I feel like here I have pretty good customers... I think.... I understand now.

[Storman]

We don't NEED the cameras in each unit, we just have other companies in CA that offer it and we want to get ahead of it.

Where are you in CA? I'm in the SF/Oakland area and your post is the first I've heard of such a thing. I certainly hope it doesn't catch on.

[SimplySpace]

Where are you in CA? I'm in the SF/Oakland area and your post is the first I've heard of such a thing. I certainly hope it doesn't catch on.

We are in Merced in the Central Valley. I spoke with another manager whose Management company runs a lot of sites from Sacramento to Bakersfield and he said they were offering it at some of their other sites. I may have misunderstood and he wasn't able to give me names of the sites so I thought I'd check here. Obviously if no one on here has done it or heard of it, I could be mistaken.

[T_Champeau]

That sounds like a headache. And how often is that feature going to be the deciding factor? Usually it's location/convenience, price, cleanliness, and customer service that decides if they rent. So really is it worth the ROI? Not just the money, but paying a lawyer to write the contract, the headache when people can't access their cameras, the increased liability, training everyone on how to use the cameras and troubleshoot, etc? Plus, that seems like an easy cyber security risk to the rest of your system if they are running on your wifi. We've all heard stories of wireless cameras being hacked.

If you have the money, up your curb appeal or throw it at marketing. And that's if you need the tenants.

[RMRSS]

I don't even understand the appeal of this. Assuming you have good camera coverage in place already that gives a good view down every drive/hallway, I don't see the purpose of having camera inside every unit. Maybe a fisheye lens camera built into the side of the mullions between each unit (on the outside) like you'd have built into a keypad or ATM to get a closeup of anyone who comes to the unit, but unless you only have a very few units, that would be VERY expensive to buy, install, and maintain unless you had just like one small building of units. If you have hundreds of units . . . wow. I'm just not seeing the ROI.

[SimplySpace]

I don't even understand the appeal of this. Assuming you have good camera coverage in place already that gives a good view down every drive/hallway, I don't see the purpose of having camera inside every unit. Maybe a fisheye lens camera built into the side of the mullions between each unit (on the outside) like you'd have built into a keypad or ATM to get a closeup of anyone who comes to the unit, but unless you only have a very few units, that would be VERY expensive to buy, install, and maintain unless you had just like one small building of units. If you have hundreds of units . . . wow. I'm just not seeing the ROI.

That's why I'm here asking if anyone has done it. We have had several people in the past ask if we offered it so I was seeing if anyone here had experience with it and it doesn't appear so.

The manager I had spoken to said that they don't install cameras in every unit, there is an added cost to have the camera put in and he said it was magnetized so it was easy to install and remove and connected through wifi. He just didn't have much more information for me since he's newer to that company.