Cameras on a rental or in a complex mean someone else usually has to say yes first. Here is who, and what kind of system fits.
If you rent, anything fixed to the building needs the owner’s permission. That includes cameras, cable runs and brackets screwed into the wall. Ask in writing through your property manager, and keep the written approval.
Queensland’s rental laws were updated in 2023 so that tenants can ask for certain minor modifications, and owners can only refuse those on specific grounds. Whether a camera counts depends on the camera and how it is fixed, so check with your property manager or the Residential Tenancies Authority before assuming either way.
If you want something that leaves no trace, a battery camera on a removable bracket or a video doorbell are the usual choices. They have trade-offs, which our wired versus wireless guide covers, but they come down at the end of the lease without holes.
Cameras on a rental property should cover the outside only: the driveway, entrances and shared areas. Owners must not record inside a tenanted home. A wired system on the exterior can protect the property between tenancies, and the tenant can be given app access to the cameras that cover their entrances.
Make it clear in writing who controls the system and who can see the footage. That saves arguments later.
Townhouse and unit complexes around Springfield, Redbank Plains, Goodna and Booval have common property, which belongs to the body corporate, not to any one owner. Under Queensland body corporate law, cameras on common property need the committee’s approval, and many schemes have by-laws about changes to the outside appearance of a lot as well.
For an owner, that usually means a camera on your own courtyard or garage is simpler to get approved than one on a shared driveway. For a committee, a shared system covering the entry gate, the visitor parking and the bin area is often the better investment, with access controlled by the committee or the body corporate manager.
In a complex, cameras are always close to someone else’s front door. We aim them at your own entry and the shared areas you need covered, and use privacy masks to black out neighbours’ windows and courtyards. It keeps the peace and keeps the system on the right side of the law.
Anything fixed to the building needs the owner's consent. Queensland's rental rules changed in 2023 so tenants can ask for some minor modifications that owners can only refuse on set grounds. Ask your property manager in writing and keep the reply.
Only if it is their system. If the body corporate owns cameras on common property, the committee controls the footage. A camera on your own lot is yours.
Battery and Wi-Fi cameras on brackets, and doorbell cameras on existing wiring, are the usual options. They come down cleanly at the end of a lease.
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New BuildsPre-wiring during construction and installs for finished estate homes in Ripley, Springfield and beyond.
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Buying AdviceRecording, reliability, summer heat, subscriptions and the cases where wireless wins.
LegalFilming your own property, neighbours, audio recording, workplaces, rentals and body corporate.
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Thanks, your details are on their way to Richard (QLD Lic #4930731, ACMA #A058225). He will look over what you have sent and reply with an itemised written estimate, usually within 15 to 30 minutes during trade hours.