Tenant put up security cameras, how to deal with this?

[Cody F.]

We had a tenant put up security cameras and drill into the wood of our deck to install them. We don't have anything in our lease or rules about cameras. We gave them a notice to take them down but the tenant responded that they talked to a "Family attorney" stating that our lease didn't say they couldn't put them up. They then stated their cars had been keyed twice and said "are you going to pay for the damages? "

I'm not exactly sure how to deal with this. I'm a new landlord and this is a first. All help is appreciated!

**This property is a 41-unit apartment complex. Not a SFH.

[Nathan Gesner]

Your lease can't possibly cover everything. I'm guessing you probably don't explicitly say that it's a violation of the lease to set the house on fire. I doubt they consulted an attorney over something so frivolous when they didn't even bother to contact you.

Tell them they are responsible for any damages caused. The cameras must be completely removed after their lease ends and all holes professionally filled to match the existing material or they will be charged to have someone do it. I would give this to them in writing so there's no confusion.

Every community is different but in my experience, the only tenants with security cameras are the ones dealing in something criminal.