ASSOCIATION MEMBER RIGHT TO VIEW AND RECEIVE COPIES OF SECURITY CAMERA RECORDINGS

Absent prohibitions on their use, which would be the subject of a statute or local ordinance, or an association’s governing documents, security cameras are commonly utilized within condominiums and common interest communities as a means of protecting association assets and for the security of association residents and their guests. Such cameras, which are placed in various common area locations, serve as a tool for protecting against criminal and other wrongful conduct, and for identifying persons who were involved in such conduct. Associations that utilize security cameras must be prepared for responding to requests from association members for access to the security camera recordings.

Because security camera recordings constitute “records” of the association, they are subject to review by board members. Association members (owners) do not have a right to view security camera recordings unless that right is provided for in applicable statutes, the association’s governing documents, or permitted by the association’s board of directors– provided there is no prohibition that specifically denies that right to association members. Thus, if association members have the right to view all association records without qualification, they would have a right to: