Exploring Alternatives to Ring Doorbells in Multifamily

Ring is undoubtedly the gold standard in single-family video doorbells. The name is so ubiquitous that it’s often the first brand owners and developers consider for their multifamily communities.

But when applied to multifamily properties, Ring doorbells fall short. Designed specifically for single-family homes, Ring fails to address the unique complexities of shared living spaces, introducing significant legal, operational, and privacy concerns.

Multifamily owners and developers seeking a video doorbell solution need a smarter, more tailored alternative.

Plenty of property staff can confirm the prevalence of video doorbells in multifamily with a walk down the hall — it’s not uncommon to find that residents have installed their own doorbell cameras, often without permission.

Installing Ring doorbells at multifamily communities can lead to legal exposure for ownership and privacy concerns among residents that create problems for management.

For multifamily property owners, Ring doorbells present a significant legal liability because they can capture video and audio in shared spaces, creating a compliance minefield. The consequences? Costly lawsuits, tenant complaints, and reputational damage that could have been avoided.

Although many jurisdictions allow video surveillance in shared areas like lobbies, gyms, and hallways, the rules vary widely, and missteps can lead to trouble.

For example, California law permits cameras in some shared spaces but draws the line at areas where tenants have a reasonable expectation of privacy. This would forbid cameras placed at angles that could capture the inside of a tenant’s apartment.

Moreover, most states have laws that make it illegal to record audio of anyone without their consent. In California, all parties involved in a conversation must consent to being recorded, while in other states, like Georgia, only one party must consent. Either way, a Ring doorbell installed near a hallway or common area could inadvertently capture private conversations, potentially violating these laws and opening the door to liability.

With Ring doorbells, residents can download and share recorded footage without oversight. If this footage includes other tenants or shared spaces, it could lead to disputes or even legal action, particularly in cases where privacy laws are violated.

Communities that don’t provide video doorbells might see residents take matters into their own hands. When residents install their own Ring doorbells, the risks multiply.

Poor placement can lead to cameras recording neighbors’ doors and windows. Without management oversight, these installations become a liability, putting the property at risk.

Privacy issues often escalate into resident disputes, leaving property staff to manage complaints. Getting staff involved in these disputes leaves them unavailable to address more pressing issues.

Additionally, Ring’s data-sharing practices raise alarms:

Not all video doorbells are created equal — what works for a single-family home won’t necessarily work for a multifamily property. To meet the unique demands of your communities, you need a solution designed with multifamily living in mind.

Enter the Level Doorbell — the only video doorbell on the market designed specifically for multifamily properties. Available exclusively through Ambient, the Level Doorbell addresses the unique challenges of multifamily environments while delivering a superior resident experience.