Dorm Video Surveillance 2025: Tenant Rights Germany
Many tenants wonder what landlords in Germany may do in 2025 when they want to install cameras in dorms. This article explains in straightforward terms which rights residents have, when video surveillance is permissible and how data protection, personal rights and tenancy law interact. You will receive concrete steps to document unlawful surveillance, file formal complaints and examine legal options. Examples show which pieces of evidence are useful and which deadlines should be observed. At the end you will find a short checklist, an FAQ with common questions and guidance to official authorities in Germany.
When is video surveillance in a dorm permitted?
Basically: private rooms such as bedrooms are especially protected. Surveillance that records private movement areas is usually prohibited. For commonly used areas (entrance, corridor, outdoor area) surveillance can be allowed under strict conditions if the landlord has a legitimate interest and no less intrusive measure is possible. Key rules are found in tenancy law and data protection law as well as in German court decisions.[1]
What tenants should do immediately
If you discover unjustified or unexpected cameras, document the device location and viewing direction, date and time of observation and speak first with the property manager or landlord. Keep photos and written notes. If you suspect unlawful surveillance, file a formal complaint and possibly inform the competent data protection authority.[3]
- Document evidence (photos, date, time, witnesses).
- Send a written complaint to the landlord/property manager.
- Contact the state data protection authority or the Federal Commissioner for Data Protection.
- Consider court action at the local court if no agreement can be reached.
Legal bases briefly explained
Duties and rights from the tenancy arise from the Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB), especially regarding duties of protection and use of the rented property. Procedural rules for court actions are in the Zivilprozessordnung (ZPO). For questions on burden of proof and enforcement of injunctions, the Amtsgericht is often competent; appeals go to the Landgericht and precedents come from the Bundesgerichtshof.[1][2]
Practical examples (short cases)
Case A: A camera in the corridor recording only the doorway area — it may be permissible if it only protects entrances and cannot view apartments. Case B: A camera that looks into private room windows — usually unlawful and needs removal. In any case, collecting evidence and requesting the landlord's legal basis in writing is advisable.
FAQ
- Can the landlord monitor my living room door by camera?
- No. Indoor spaces are specially protected; monitoring private rooms by the landlord is generally not allowed.
- Who decides in disputes about cameras in a dorm?
- For civil disputes the local court (Amtsgericht) is usually competent in the first instance; appeals go to the regional court (Landgericht), and precedents come from the Federal Court of Justice (BGH).[4]
- Whom do I contact for data protection violations?
- For data protection violations you can file a complaint with the state data protection authority or the Federal Commissioner for Data Protection.
How-To
- Collect evidence: photos, dates, times and witnesses.
- Send a formal complaint to the landlord and property manager requesting deletion/removal.
- Inform the competent data protection authority of your state.
- If necessary, file a lawsuit at the local court or seek legal representation.
Key takeaways
- Tenants have strong privacy protection for their living spaces.
- Good documentation is crucial for successful complaints and legal action.
- Submit formal letters to landlords and authorities in time.
Help and Support / Resources
- Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB) – Gesetze im Internet
- Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information
- Federal Court of Justice (BGH)
