Does anybody know if there is any law / legislation regarding cameras (CCTV) inside a house that will be inspected (State Maryland)?
More specific, the buyers Real Estate Agent called me and told me that in the house that I will do the inspection there will be cameras checking on the inspector.
It is the seller’s house and he/she can do that if they want to…you have no concerns, right?
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My main concern is about the voice / speakers if of-course the cameras do support sound.
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What are you concerned they might hear/record?
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from one point of view Yes
What is that?
Oops, I didn’t word my question well. What exactly are you concerned about them hearing? You are doing a home inspection so shouldn’t be much talking. Unless you do voice typing like I do on my phone.
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Anymore, just figure that every house you enter will have cameras. They are more common than you think.
Thermal imaging does a pretty job of finding the hidden ones.
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Zactly… …
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I think i got the answer i was looking. Since i am relatively new inspector, and i have never been informed that the house would have cameras i wanted to ask If there is something that i have to be aware of. Though since i do not see or hear something negative then i will take the answer as, nothing to concern of and i really would like to thank you for all the above answers
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Stay away from the Elmo dolls and you’ll be fine.
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There really is nothing to be concerned with in my opinion. And nothing you could do about it anyway. I always assume that I am being watched when on another’s property. Treat it with respect at all times.
The only somewhat “scandalous” aspect of it is when they listen to you bash their DIY plumbing during the client walk-through, lol. I have been in numerous homes with security cameras right out in the open and I don’t hold back with the client just because the owner might be listening.
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Whatever happened to that guy?
I think this is the latest.
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What a turd.
Sad part is that all he has to do is drop his prices to $200.00 for any house and he will be fed all the work that he can handle.
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You’re lucky that the agent was able to tell you ahead of time. More times than not there are cameras in the house that you won’t even know we’re there
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I do hold back. I think it has the potential to put my client into a weak position during negotiations.
I take it outside and tell them about the listening devices.
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As long as you are honest, I really don’t see how it puts the client at a disadvantage. If the seller is truly listening, they will realize that their house isn’t as perfect as their agent told them it was
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This is my reasoning.
First, buyers and sellers are emotional creatures. Sellers may become defensive of their “perfect house” and start devising a plan to kill the deal before ever receiving the buyers repair requests.
Sellers may wave off or seem to dismiss issues initially, but upon receiving the report come at the seller hard. The seller will view this as a money grab or just say no because the seller doesn’t believe they buyer really cares about the defect.
Regardless, I think it gives the seller an advantage. The buyer does not get the opportunity to record the sellers private conversations, such as when they receive the request for repairs and subsequent reactions.
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My state, California is very clear on the audio portion of video… if you’re in someone’s home and they are recording audio without expressed written consent, they are violating the law. I was again told that I may receive a summons or notification as the buyer found out after closing that the seller collected audio during the real estate transaction, not a claim against me just what I remember saying etc. This has come up a few times, I’ve never given deposition in regards to the times I’ve been notified of such, I’d guess a seller empties their pockets to avoid further expense.
I’ve heard other inspectors that wear a body cam during inspections, in my state you’d probably be risking some problems if audio is on. To each their own.
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