Taking pictures in the neighborhood

Started by JackJ9 • 3 replies • 531 views

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JackJ9 (New York)
Posts: 112

Posted:

As I go on neighborhood walks, I like to take pictures in the neighborhood. Most often they are of streets and pretty scenes, or of things in our commmunity parks. Less often I take pictures of front yards that are in disarray or need to be discussed at a board meeting. It's pretty obvious what I am doing because I use a large SLR camera with a big lens, so sometimes (when I take pictures in other situations) it does get noticed.

Wondering if I am incurring any liability for the HOA by doing this (I'm on the board). I don't do anything creepy like take pictures of license plates, or people's windows, or people's kids or anything like that.

SheliaH (Indiana)
Posts: 6,964

Posted:

Usually, you're ok if you're not going up on a resident's property - if you stay on the sidewalk or street, you can likely snap away, but it's probably a good idea to (1) double-check with the attorney and (2) stick with photos of the common area.

I understand wanting to catch messy yards that may need to be addressed, but that can get very ugly very quickly if the owner sees you. If rules enforcement is what you're after, you may want to consider paying your property manager to do drive-throughs in the community - they can probably take photos from a car or truck, capturing the problem and ensuring some privacy.

If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it. Marcus Aurelius

SteveR11 (Georgia)
Posts: 29

Posted:

You can take pictures on public sidewalks all you want. HOA takes them all the time for violations.

KellyM3 (North Carolina)
Posts: 2,239

Posted:

Jack,

Let your property manager address the taking of pictures of private yards if at all possible. It's proper protocol and accomplishing the same result but in a non-emotional way.

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