An Australian tenant has discovered a trader filming in her apartment while she was away after her ‘petcam’ recorded footage of him.
The Queensland woman recently took to the Facebook group ‘Don’t run me’ to ask for advice after the camera, used to monitor pets, captured images of the tradie.
The tenant said he is her property manager’s partner and handles the building’s maintenance, but she had no idea why he appeared to be filming.
The woman said she was moving and agreed to let the property manager show potential tenants around while she was at work, but he apparently wanted to tag along and stayed after the tour.
“(He) does the maintenance of the complex (and went around) filming every room,” she said.
‘I was at work and not present at the viewing… Is this allowed? I don’t understand why he was filming.’
A Queensland tenant discovered a tradie appeared to be filming her apartment while she was not there after checking her ‘petcam’ footage
Commenters on the post said they were also baffled as to why he would start taking footage of the property since there would be a proper rental inspection if she moved out.
“This is unacceptable,” said one.
“I would email those photos and ask the building manager and their partner for an explanation,” said another.
‘I would also ask why he was allowed to stay in the property after the viewing.’
“Completely unlawful,” says a third.
According to Tenants Queensland lawyer Julie Bartlett, it could indeed be illegal depending on the circumstances.
“Taking photographs or filming the tenant’s belongings without their consent would be considered a violation of the tenant’s quiet enjoyment by the agent permitting the filming, and also an offense under the law,” Ms. Bartlett. Yahoo News.
Commenters on social media say it is ‘unacceptable’ and the tenant should ask the manager for an explanation
Ms Bartlett said the tenant must give permission for the agent or property manager to use any footage or photos.
‘The (pet) camera is good evidence for a possible complaint to the RTA Compliance and Enforcement Team regarding violations that may have occurred around unlawful entry, quiet enjoyment or unauthorized use of photographs of the tenant’s belongings ‘, she said.
Any violation of the law in these areas could result in heavy fines, she added.