Can I require my landlord to show me images she took of our home before they are shared with anyone

Question

landlord told me she needed to take images of the floors and conditions of the house, I emailed her for clarification of purpose of the images a few days later, she said for housing codes and repairs and said she would not be taking images of our things. We set up a time and expected her to be focusing on floors.  She came over but instead and did a complete walkthrough, entered every room and took multiple images of every angle, including outside of the home. When I noticed she was taking way more pictures than what we established during the visit set up, I asked what repairs she was planning for. She answered saying she didn’t have anything specific but wanted to have pictures for the maintenance man if repairs were needed. I’m concerned she is a.) planning to sell the house and planning for the process bu  also not being forthcoming about her intentions of the visit, and b.) taking images to submit with appraisers, repairmen, etc w/o our permission.

James L. Arrasmith · Answer

It's understandable to have concerns about your privacy and the use of photographs taken by your landlord in your home. Generally, landlords do have the right to take photographs of their property for legitimate reasons such as maintenance, repairs, or for the purpose of selling the property. However, they should respect your privacy and belongings, and any photography should be done with your knowledge and, ideally, agreement on what will be photographed. 
 
If you're uncomfortable with how the photographs might be used, you have the right to ask your landlord about the specific purposes for which the photos will be used and to request to see them before they are shared with others. While there's no universal law requiring landlords to show tenants these photos before sharing them, it's reasonable to request this, especially if personal belongings are captured in the images. This request can be made as part of a conversation about privacy and boundaries. 
 
Should your landlord plan to use the photos for purposes outside of what was agreed upon, such as listing the property for sale without informing you, this could potentially violate your rights as a tenant, depending on your local laws and the terms of your lease. It might be beneficial to review your lease agreement and consult with a legal advisor familiar with tenant rights in your area to better understand your position and options. Establishing clear communication with your landlord about your concerns and what you're comfortable with regarding photography can help protect your privacy and ensure that any photographs taken are used appropriately and respectfully.

Q: Can I require my landlord to show me images she took of our home before they are shared with anyone