Ring Camera Lawsuit: HOA versus The Homeowner
Ken Kirschenbaum – July 19th eNewsletter.
A North Carolina woman installed a Ring camera on her front door. The HOA objected, citing its own Rules and Regulations prohibiting the use of cameras outdoors because it violates privacy of others. She refused to remove the camera, so the HOA began fining her $100, eventually sued, and demanded legal fees on top of the fines. The woman insisted on a jury trial. She lost, judgement for the HOA for over $70,000 and the HOA is still seeking additional legal fees for $115,000.
As installers you should be mindful that you do have to be careful about HOA and other community rules and regulations other than building codes or statutes. While you can install whatever the customer wants it’s probably a good idea to remind the customer that there may be HOA rules to follow; let the customer decide if they will risk the install.
More on Ring – According to Associated Press, Ring has changed its policy of cooperating with police who request camera data. Ring will now require a search warrant. Ken notes: “I do not believe a search warrant is necessary to provide the data if the video data is from equipment installed, monitored and stored by the alarm dealer or central station pursuant to a Kirschenbaum Contract™ because the data is owned by the central station or dealer, not the subscriber.