What are My Rights to Privacy When Renting a Vacation Home or Apartment?
The right to personal privacy is central to the American legal system. Numerous criminal and civil laws protect your privacy rights, including the U.S. Constitution. However, questions often arise about whether these personal rights extend beyond your home. Sharing apartments and vacation rentals, which are legally owned by third parties, may complicate your privacy rights in South Carolina.
If you suspect a ‘peeping tom’ violated your privacy in a rental unit or vacation home, discuss your options for compensation with the experienced victims’ rights lawyers at Ryan Beasley Law. Schedule a case consultation today by calling (864) 679-7777 or connecting with us online.
Contractual Privacy Rights Applicable to Vacation Rental Units in South Carolina
Your personal privacy is protected in two ways when you vacation in South Carolina. The first is through your rental contract. Most rental contracts will set out the terms for inspection, if any, or the landlord’s right to enter the property to clean or make repairs.
It’s important to thoroughly review this contract before renting an apartment. With vacation rentals, such as those through Airbnb, companies generally prohibit landlords from installing cameras or surveillance devices inside the rental unit. An attorney might help you file a breach of contract lawsuit if a landlord or property manager violated the terms of your privacy agreement, even if that agreement is stricter than state privacy laws.
Criminal and Civil Laws Protecting Renter’s Privacy
South Carolina also protects your privacy rights through certain criminal and civil statutes. For example, the state’s voyeurism law prohibits eavesdroppers and ‘peeping toms’ from spying on and invading the privacy of any person, especially for sexual purposes. It is unlawful to physically spy on a person, such as by looking through windows or using digital equipment to do so. You have the right to be protected from unlawfully obtained materials, including the following:
- Videotapes
- Audio recordings
- Digital electronic files
- Photographs
- Film
You may file criminal charges in such cases, but a personal injury lawyer could also help you sue for invasion of privacy, negligence, and emotional distress. These civil claims could also cover third parties, such as streaming platforms and rental companies, who failed to protect your rights.
Importantly, your privacy rights extend to any place where you have a reasonable expectation of privacy. This traditionally includes vacation rentals, rented apartments, dressing rooms, and bathroom stalls. If you’re sharing a rental space, these rights typically extend to private areas within that rental space, such as the bathroom or bedroom. They do not generally cover common areas within view of public streets or other lawful residents.
Discuss Your Privacy Rights with a Dedicated South Carolina Legal Advocate
At Ryan Beasley Law, our lawyers have experience handling claims for privacy violations in vacation rentals. Contact us today to discuss how state and federal privacy rights apply when you’re renting a home or apartment, especially if you suspect someone has hidden cameras within the rental unit. Schedule a case consultation with our victims’ rights attorneys today by calling (864) 679-7777 or contact us online.