looking to update our security cameras

We have an old version of adt wired cameras and would like to update. Is Google Nest adequate? What wifi requirements are needed? What camera systems and contracts do you recommend?

IMO, the product you mentioned is inadequate for you proposed use.

Emma,
I have had cameras in both of the HOAs I have served on and am a big supporter. As I believe Dean stated I would not suggest going with home type products that you mentioned. We literally know nothing about your HOA so it is very hard for us to do anything but guess which can be a waste of time. I will just give you the things that I would do and some things to avoid.

1) Do not lease a camera system. Cameras are very long lasting and when and if they fail 5 to 7 years down the road get the newer products one at a time.

2) By a system that has a high-quality DVR/NVR that saves the data for a minimum of 3 weeks before it gets overwritten with current data. IF there is an event it gives the board plenty of time to pull information and give it to authorities.

3) Make sure the NVR has spare ports. They usually come in 8,16 or 32 ports for cameras. Always have extra ports you will want to have the ability to add without any major cost.

4) Make sure you hire a reputable company. When I moved into my current Texas property and was elected to the board. The cameras were a complete mess. The vendor was horrible, and they sold our PM a lease for 5 years. They were gone for the last 4 years of that contract.

AS Wendy has stated cameras do not stop crime but if signage is good, they definitely can deter it. Also, once something happens knowing what they did and how they did it can help report and also help hinder it in the future.

They use a LOT of data...24 hour video.

It's not only "crimes" that cameras can see, but damage to the common areas caused by residents. or their invitees. My HOA probably has a few of these a year--anything from a dog doing its bidness in the elevator and the owner ignoring it, to running cars into automatic entrance exit vehicle gates, to noise nuisances in the pool area. Citing these residents and fining if necessary and charging them for damage has saved our HOA thousands of dollars.

I think our most expensive savings was a group of ppl who'd attended a party in one of our twin towers and noticed a luggage cart in the lobby as they were exiting to the street. They grabbed it and joy-rode it through the lobby and onto the sidewalk where cameras saw them till out of sight. But where did they come from? Our system could see the floor on which they entered the elevators. There are only 5 units per floor. One was vacant; one occupied by an elderly couple, etc. A process of elimination nailed the culprit, who confessed he'd had a party. We practiced due process, called him to a hearing, and billed him the $1,200 replacement cost as an "enforcement assessment." (Never found the cart)

Different kind of story, Mark. A woman pal of mine in her 70s was dating a much younger man for several months. She tee-hee'd to me how he'd sometimes get "frisky" in the elevators. I gulped, "Uh, honey, uh, cameras...." What an amazing shade of red.