# Landlord notifies prospective tenants of property surveillance and monitoring of fluids **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 5, 2014, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/landlord-notifies-prospective-tenants-of-property-surveillance-and-monitoring-of-fluids/687733 "2014-05-05T17:46:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2014, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/landlord-notifies-prospective-tenants-of-property-surveillance-and-monitoring-of-fluids/687733/1 "2014-05-05T17:46:42Z")
In anticipation of renting out an apartment i was scrolling through the local craigslist ads in the area. So from a local landlord’s ad there was a link to his website with pictures and info. His apartments are in need of updating and come furnished with what look like musty castoffs from the old folks home. His rents are in line with the area and located in a lakeside neighborhood. His monitoring of the grounds sounds creepy, who would agree to such terms? As well as a prohibition against babysitting in the unit, even a relative! Too much to ask of a tenant? > [@](#): > > Security and Building Maintenance Monitoring > > Tenant is notified that the property has monitoring equipment for building maintenance and security for the property. > > Monitoring cameras are recording the exterior of the property continuously as well as > vehicle traffic and exterior pedestrian traffic. > > Monitoring sensors are also used to track water use, wet floors and flooding conditions, building temperatures and fulfillment of contractor activities. > > This security system is for the maintenance of the property and does not include > any alarms for any dangerous conditions or security for you or your contents. > > Tampering or disabling any security or monitoring devices is considered cause > for termination of your tenancy. > > Smoke alarms are provided for the individual apartments and it is the tenant > responsibility to monitor their ability to function properly by periodic testing by the tenant. > > Battery replacement(s) for smoke detectors are the tenant responsibility except for > the initial new battery installed at your move in date ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2014, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/landlord-notifies-prospective-tenants-of-property-surveillance-and-monitoring-of-fluids/687733/2 "2014-05-05T17:51:34Z")
Who would agree? Someone who really wanted to live there? I would ask the other tenants after I talked to him in person. But I don’t rent any7more so what I would is all guess work depending on need. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2014, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/landlord-notifies-prospective-tenants-of-property-surveillance-and-monitoring-of-fluids/687733/3 "2014-05-05T18:02:20Z")
That agreement as written would not really bother me. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2014, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/landlord-notifies-prospective-tenants-of-property-surveillance-and-monitoring-of-fluids/687733/4 "2014-05-05T18:06:28Z")
Exterior cameras: They’ve had complaints about break-ins and vandalism. The cameras are there so the have a chance of identifying somebody who vandalizes the property; if you get mugged, you’re on your own to identify the perp. If somebody breaks into your car, that’s your problem. Water monitors: They’ve had problems with flooding (see: lakeside). Musty furniture: There may have been some mold issues. Sounds like a keeper. Go to [http://www.apartmentratings.com/](http://www.apartmentratings.com/) and see if you can find the place listed. You may need to get inventive and search by zip code, then just scroll through, looking for the address rather than the name, as they may have changed the name recently to get away from all the negative comments. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2014, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/landlord-notifies-prospective-tenants-of-property-surveillance-and-monitoring-of-fluids/687733/5 "2014-05-05T18:21:41Z")
totally his call, trying for the great cash flow with dumpy properties, thus he has to monitor activities of the folks he rents to. ALso prohibits washing and drying machines as well as portable dishwashers.Since rent includes utilities I would anticipate midnight tirades about water leaks and flushing the toilet too often. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2014, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/landlord-notifies-prospective-tenants-of-property-surveillance-and-monitoring-of-fluids/687733/6 "2014-05-05T18:28:08Z")
> [@chela](#): > > > [@](#): > > > > Smoke alarms are provided for the individual apartments and it is the tenant > > responsibility to monitor their ability to function properly by periodic testing by the tenant. > > > > Battery replacement(s) for smoke detectors are the tenant responsibility except for > > the initial new battery installed at your move in date That seems like a poor idea; it’s practically asking for cheap & thoughtless tenants to neglect their fire alarms and risk an out of control fire. ---
**Author:** ![runningdude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e9c0ed/32.png) [@runningdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/runningdude)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2014, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/landlord-notifies-prospective-tenants-of-property-surveillance-and-monitoring-of-fluids/687733/7 "2014-05-05T21:08:18Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > That seems like a poor idea; it’s practically asking for cheap & thoughtless tenants to neglect their fire alarms and risk an out of control fire. What is the alternative? The landlord entering the house every six months to replace the batteries? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Lurker\_Above](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dc4da7/32.png) [@The\_Lurker\_Above](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Lurker_Above)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2014, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/landlord-notifies-prospective-tenants-of-property-surveillance-and-monitoring-of-fluids/687733/8 "2014-05-05T21:34:51Z")
> [@runningdude](#): > > What is the alternative? The landlord entering the house every six months to replace the batteries? It would give the landlord an excuse to do a quick check of the interior of the apartment every six months. Some landlords consider the cost & time well worth it to do semi-annual informal inspections. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2014, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/landlord-notifies-prospective-tenants-of-property-surveillance-and-monitoring-of-fluids/687733/9 "2014-05-05T22:00:14Z")
> [@runningdude](#): > > What is the alternative? The landlord entering the house every six months to replace the batteries? Yes, that’s better. That way, the landlord can be sure the batteries are changed properly and they can test the smoke detectors at the same time. If a tenant fails to properly maintain the smoke detector and another tenant dies as a result, who is going to be sued? ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2014, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/landlord-notifies-prospective-tenants-of-property-surveillance-and-monitoring-of-fluids/687733/10 "2014-05-05T22:25:32Z")
The paperwork goes thru his business, and i looked it up, an electronics consultant of some esoteric nature. makes me wonder he could remotely shut off the hot water or dial down the heat at night? of course no AC…old cottage. too strange Mr R. ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2014, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/landlord-notifies-prospective-tenants-of-property-surveillance-and-monitoring-of-fluids/687733/11 "2014-05-05T22:30:49Z")
It sounds to me as if he _forgot_ to mention it’s a halfway house for substance abusers. Probably court mandated. Since they are seperate apartments, he can also rent to people not referred by the court, as long as they agree to the same standard the halfway housers must. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/landlord-notifies-prospective-tenants-of-property-surveillance-and-monitoring-of-fluids/687733/12 "2014-05-06T08:47:30Z")
> [@runningdude](#): > > What is the alternative? The landlord entering the house every six months to replace the batteries? Well, yes, that’s what they do in my apartment building. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/landlord-notifies-prospective-tenants-of-property-surveillance-and-monitoring-of-fluids/687733/13 "2014-05-06T12:32:46Z")
> [@runningdude](#): > > What is the alternative? The landlord entering the house every six months to replace the batteries? Pony up the cash to install hardwired smoke alarms, then pay for the electricity to run them. Make sure to get the kind of alarm/system that automatically notifies the fire department if an alarm goes off for more than a minute. Doesn’t really sound like the landlord’s looking to spend money in order to improve the quality of the facility, so this isn’t likely. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/landlord-notifies-prospective-tenants-of-property-surveillance-and-monitoring-of-fluids/687733/14 "2014-05-06T12:37:50Z")
Sounds to me like drug dealers and various lowlifes would want to steer clear of an apartment complex with exterior camera monitoring. Law-abiding tenants, not so much. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2014, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/landlord-notifies-prospective-tenants-of-property-surveillance-and-monitoring-of-fluids/687733/15 "2014-05-07T01:39:31Z")
These are 1 and 2 bedroom apts carved out of single family homes in a residential neighborhood of middle to upper class single family homes in a desirable location. I can’t fathom sensors to track wet floors? WTF! what is he monitoring? your wet naked feet on the bathroom tile floor? and the security system is not for the safety of residents or their belongings. My guess is he is a section 8 landlord who bullies his tenants. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2014, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/landlord-notifies-prospective-tenants-of-property-surveillance-and-monitoring-of-fluids/687733/16 "2014-05-07T19:34:39Z")
> [@](#): > > …monitoring of fluids Dear Tenant, This letter is to inform you that the latest fluid measurement reports (FMR’s) from your unit indicate that you have either an slightly underactive bladder or a highly overactive prostate. Please either see you doctor or cut down on the porn. Thank you, The Landlord ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2014, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/landlord-notifies-prospective-tenants-of-property-surveillance-and-monitoring-of-fluids/687733/17 "2014-05-07T19:50:42Z")
I am, unfortunately, reminded of the men’s restroom at Quark’s Bar at the old Las Vegas Hilton. While using a urinal, one would hear a ship’s computer voice saying, “Detecting rise in fluid levels…” ---
**Author:** ![andrewm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c57346/32.png) [@andrewm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andrewm)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2014, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/landlord-notifies-prospective-tenants-of-property-surveillance-and-monitoring-of-fluids/687733/18 "2014-05-07T20:13:38Z")
> [@chela](#): > > I can’t fathom sensors to track wet floors? WTF! what is he monitoring? your wet naked feet on the bathroom tile floor? Broken pipes, overflowing sinks/tubs/toilets, rain coming in an open window, etc. Any of these would cause extensive, expensive-to-repair damage if not addressed immediately. Monitoring for it is perfectly reasonable and not insidious at all.