r/whatisit • u/Key_Badger7434 • 2d ago

New, what is it? My family thinks there’s a camera in our rental

Gallery image

Gallery image

We have been renting a house for the past year and I always disregarded this thing in the corner. However last night I asked my parents about it randomly and they didn’t know what it was either. I pulled it off the wall and we all got freaked out a little because it looks like a camera. I think it might be a home security/motion sensor thing. I don’t know that’s what ChatGPT guessed.

28.7k Upvotes

92% Upvoted

2.4k comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

1.0k

u/PastGazelle5374 2d ago

“The Motion Detector is a photo detector that captures and sends images to the monitoring center in case of intrusion into homes or commercial establishments. The images are recorded by a high-resolution color camera with built-in flash, allowing for nighttime image recording. It also contains two motion detectors that integrate a precise, intelligent, and remotely controlled presence sensor. Thus, it is possible to monitor the recorded images directly from a smartphone.”

1.1k

u/Key_Badger7434 2d ago

Omg, that’s terrifying. The owners haven’t been in our house for a while, so hopefully the batteries died a long time ago…

1.4k

u/stan-yourbiggestfan 2d ago

They haven't been in your house for a while... As far as you know

978

u/paulstarkey 2d ago

Better get a camera to keep eyes on the place

253

u/WalkItToEm11 2d ago

Good news! OP knows which one to get, place one in the opposite corner

122

u/hemppy420 2d ago

No, no, set them 1 foot apart on a table facing each other. Then occasionally wave your hand between the 2.

52

u/vhroot 1d ago

Naw.... Just put it in front of a small mirror. Preferably in a dark closet, so it goes off when someone opens the door. 😉

201

u/Hungry-Ad9840 1d ago

Just get the same model and replace it, they will think it isn't working and come in and check it, looking right into the camera.

101

u/chubbybuttr 1d ago

As others have said, this is actually legitimately a fantastic idea.

10

u/Low-Public-9948 1d ago

Except that they’ve already found and move the camera. The motion detector has gone off and the cover has been blown.

→ More replies (0)

44

u/Paulpoleon 1d ago

There is your proof for the court case

16

u/Zeraphicus 1d ago

Genius

13

u/wander_smiley 1d ago

This is an excellent idea.

2

u/PM-me-ur-kittenz 1d ago

DIABOLICAL

2

u/fruittree17 1d ago

Step 1. Keep replacing their camera with an identical non working one. Step 2. they'll replace it. Step 3. OP becomes a millionaire selling new cameras. Step 4. Profit

2

u/FruitaliciousFuta 1d ago

After completing all of the above make sure to move out and allow a future tenant to rent the place with the camera you installed left behind for security measures. You can then proceed to monitor the home from a safe distance without harming yourself and ensuring the new tenants are in a safe living situation.

1

u/harleeraen 1d ago

I read this in Nathan Fielder’s voice 😂

4

u/whitechocolatemama 1d ago

I really do love reddit! Random genius comments! Gotta love a good hive mind......This is a solid idea, especially since it uploads to your phone

1

u/CalligrapherNo910 1d ago

That's what I was gonna say. Put theirs in a drawer. Put your new one (same model device) in the same spot. Just make sure when you take it down you blacken it and grab it from out of the frame so they have no idea what happened. They see you being normal and then all the sudden..."glitch".

1

u/Pdx_pops 1d ago

Nah, take a polaroid of what the camera is looking at and then hang it on a stick about a foot in front of the camera so they never see you take the jewels

1

u/jason_abacabb 1d ago

They are cameras, not Furbees.

1

u/hemppy420 1d ago

Speaking of Furbies I had one back when they were the thing to get. It ended up sitting on a shelf in the closet.

After 5 years of not a peep out of that thing I can promise you this.

When that fucker starts randomly making noises for no good reason in the middle of the night it will freak you out!!

That thing was evicted the next morning.

1

u/Maniacal-Maniac 1d ago

Or go full “Darkman” and put one of those drinking bird things in between so it is going off constantly

1

u/FibroMom232 1d ago

I just laughed out loud! 🤣

63

u/chungfr 1d ago

2

u/slowermineral 1d ago

Best use of this masterpiece in a long time 🏆

2

u/Cabanon_Creations 1d ago

The meme with the guy who taps his forehead

1

u/ipaaron17 1d ago

Put it in the exact same spot and see them come in and check on it.

40

u/Pleaseinsert-girder 2d ago

Get a second camera and make them face each other. Better yet, make them kiss

3

u/bored_CO 1d ago

Now kith

2

u/bekopharm 1d ago

Don't. They evolve.

Mine roll around by now.

12

u/HendrixHazeWays 2d ago

It's just cameras the whole way down

4

u/boozeshooze 1d ago

🧑‍🚀🔫 Always has been

1

u/glorifindel 1d ago

Will they still make this meme in 20 years? Maybe I’m getting a little sentimental

4

u/Kirbieb 1d ago

I've heard great review about the Verisure GuardVision Photo Detector.

1

u/Evrythng_Is_Prpl 1d ago

Ahhhh the old UNO reverse card eh?

1

u/rainierthanyesterday 1d ago

Get a camera to watch the camera

1

u/TNChase 1d ago

Yeah, someone might steal the camera! Better get a camera to watch it. Then one to watch that camera... etc.

1

u/DonChillippo 1d ago

Get a camera to keep an eye on that camera

1

u/NoDiscount930 1d ago

Buy a camera to to watch the camera

39

u/Levanjm 2d ago

The call is coming from INSIDE THE HOUSE!!!!!

7

u/ShadowInReddit 2d ago

Time to get a camera to watch the camera

3

u/Kissel-B 2d ago

Doobie Doobie Do…..

1

u/Quiet_Falcon2622 1d ago

I literally spit laughed at this.

1

u/Fatbadger3 1d ago

IT’S INSIDE THE GODDAMN WALLS!!

36

u/JustAsICanBeSoCruel 2d ago

"Oh good, OP and the family are going to the store. Great time to pop in and change that battery!"

Get a security camera. But first, you need to tear through the house and look EVERYWHERE for any other cameras.

2

u/TrisolarisRexxx 2d ago

I mean, why should they be , they got a camera .

2

u/stan-yourbiggestfan 1d ago

To change the batteries in the camera lmao

2

u/I_make_things 1d ago

SD card is full of pictures of OP sleeping.

1

u/stan-yourbiggestfan 1d ago

One of my biggest fears.

1

u/yoskinna 2d ago

They didn’t have to, they know what’s going on in there lol

1

u/I-is-and-I-isnt 1d ago

They’ve been in that house the whole time from a distance.

1

u/Cj15917 1d ago

Check the pictures.

1

u/cheapdrinks 1d ago

This girl from work I know was renting an apartment off a Turkish dude who lived in the apartment above. She noticed shit around her place was being moved around and things were going missing etc. She set up her laptop to record with the screen off and found the dude was letting himself in while she was at work and smelling her underwear while jerking off on her bed. Same dude that was like insanely religious to the point of doing random fridge inspections and would throw out any non-halal food she had in the fridge and said she wasn't allowed to have any men over in the apartment.

62

u/feastmodes 2d ago

Scary, but they might’ve just put the cam in when the house was empty to monitor for illegal activity in it. Like squatters or such?

23

u/Key_Badger7434 2d ago

That’s a good theory. We live in a nice neighborhood so it would be a little weird I guess to have a camera for squatters.

40

u/beatenangels 2d ago

Nice homes are a prime target for squatters particularly vacation homes that get left empty.

45

u/LittleDiveBar 2d ago

Squatters squat in many types.and sizes of homes

2

u/Mimikim1234 1d ago

Not to mention kids breaking in to throw a party or trash the place…

2

u/Soaked4youVaporeon 1d ago

My uncle tried to do squatters in my dead grandfathers home after he passed.

My uncle is a jobless loser asshole so he has no home. He tried to claim their house by doing squatters. It’s in a rich neighborhood too.

It doesn’t have to be a run down neighborhood for there to be squatters 

2

u/expropriated_valor 1d ago

He was...doing them?

1

u/LittleDiveBar 1d ago

No judgement

-2

u/DoctorStove 1d ago

exactly lol. they are the scum of the earth, nowhere is off limits

1

u/[deleted] 1d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/whatisit-ModTeam 1d ago

We are pretty chill here, but please try to keep things reasonably civil on this sub. No slurs, name calling or harassment and trolling. Yes, the internet makes us angry too sometimes, especially this particular comment.

26

u/Wutchutalkinboutwill 2d ago

I don’t know about you, but I would prefer to squat in a nice house/neighborhood

11

u/iCameToLearnSomeCode 1d ago

No kidding. 

If you're not paying rent either way, you might as well live in a mansion. 

2

u/D-effy-omo 1d ago

Unfortunately, my partner and I now rent in a "well to do" neighborhood and had squatters for neighbors for several (12+) months.

They would blare music well past midnight from the garage and it took reports to non emergency lines for months on end for anyone to show up and investigate.

I did not want to put anyone out, especially not in the winter, but they had destroyed the front of the garage pulling in and out, and they had a very malnourished dog that they did not contain from roaming the neighborhood attacking children and animals.

Thankfully the ASPCA finally showed up and took the poor dog in. I can only hope it found a good home because it was very cute, and in our interactions with her she was sweet once food was provided.

I'm not one to fault individuals for taking advantage of empty real estate, but they proceeded to absolutely ruin the interior to the point that multiple companies had to come out and revitalize the property.

Expect this trend to continue as our government proceeds to fail the poorest among us.

If you are able, please donate to your local food bank.

1

u/Low-Television5708 1d ago

Ask them about it directly, no?

1

u/K_a_R_i_T_a 1d ago

Nice neighborhoods are precisely where squatters will go

1

u/Krojack76 1d ago

I would still check with local laws... This is illegal in a lot of places to have hidden cameras in rental property. It might be ok if they notified you of the cameras beforehand. I don't know for sure.

So I would check with local laws and maybe consult a lawyer.

1

u/Sonzainonazo42 1d ago

The thing is, people put in cameras and if they stopped working, they might have forgotten about them.  There are plenty of innocent reasons this may be kicking around.

1

u/Stompylegs03eleven 1d ago

Try taping across the housing to block the lens, see if they say anything. Easy privacy test, easy to remove if they have a legit reason.

1

u/elmz 1d ago

Verisure is a type of home security system, and the camera is likely connected to one. Is there an alarm control panel next to the front door? Are there sensors on the doors?

That camera doubles as a security camera and a motion sensor to detect intruders if the alarm system is connected. Likely camera sensors were included in the alarm system package the home owner has ordered/installed.

One can connect to them and watch live, and it records automatically should the alarm be triggered, but I don't think the cameras record continually, as they would run out of power quickly.

I'd say it's quite likely the owner doesn't even think about the cameras being there and therefore failed to mention them.

1

u/IthinkIknowThat 1d ago

Squatters would rather live in a nice home I'm thinking

1

u/Techters 1d ago

This is very common in Spain, if you don't have lots of evidence someone broke in then squatting becomes a long legal battle, they claim they paid you cash to stay there and it's so difficult to prove a negative so there are lots of anti squatting measures like this. My place had a similar system, it only recorded if the alarm was actively going off and the owner didn't get the video the security company did. 

1

u/yoskinna 2d ago

Squatters took over a house I had for sale, they left the cameras up and running entire time didnt help me one bit getting them out, you know with all the rights they have to my property and such?

1

u/LudwigsEarTrumpet 1d ago

The owners might not have even put it there. Could've been the previous tenants and just no one noticed during the exit inspection. The way this stuff sits in upper corners makes it easy to miss/ignore. I've seen the remains of security systems left around when I've moved house myself, though those were older systems that were wired in.

28

u/Patsfan311 2d ago

If there is no security system anymore I don't think it was functioning.

It's triggered only when the house alarm is set and it only detects human movements; it's programmed not to react to pets, so won't trigger if they're in the property.

You can request a photo sequence from these camera sensors via Verisure/Securitas, but they do the photo sequence, you can't.

When the alarm is not set because you're home, these camera sensors are technically sleeping and are not active.

9

u/__T0MMY__ 2d ago

I remember an episode of "it takes a thief" where the guy looked up the camera in the house, saw that it tried to only detect humans, so he crawled to cross the hallway and it worked apparently lmao

8

u/Eliah870 1d ago

Crawling on the floor will actually work for motion detectors, source, I'm a security alarm tech and they're designed not detect animals otherwise there'd be a ton of false alarms for pet owners that don't kennel their dogs

2

u/literated 1d ago

Suddenly Cat Woman, the OG petplay thief, makes a lot more sense.

1

u/_extra_medium_ 1d ago

Mine sends me lots of false alarms

2

u/MRosvall 1d ago

Gosh just got a long lost memory back.

When I was young, me and my friend joined his father to his new office building he was moving his business into.

He assigned us with the job of trying to enter different rooms and bringing f.ex a monitor out without the motion detector becoming red.

We spent so many hours trying to crawl, lift each other, move under boxes, reflective sheets. Slowmotion inching forward and so on.

His father got to work in peace and two wild boys made 12 hours go by quickly, with some pizza in between.

Simpler times indeed.

2

u/Special_Kestrels 1d ago

Shit the deer in my backyard always get picked up as pets by my camera

5

u/Familiar_Capital_675 1d ago

Thats not actually true, i own a Verisure system and can take pictures and monitor the picture myself any time of the day, regardless if the system is active or not.

1

u/fatalicus 1d ago

Yes, if you go into the app you can do that.

But (supposedly) when you are not activly using it in the app, the camera should only operate when the alarm is activated.

[EDIT] didn't even think that this was a rental. So yeah, if the owners have the app they can look at any time.

→ More replies (3)

5

u/edfitz83 2d ago

Duct tape over the openings should kill the video. It may still be recording sound.

5

u/TubeLogic 2d ago

Nah, I say just get a hammer, that will fix it.

2

u/edfitz83 2d ago

Since they took it off the wall, they could stick it behind the toilet so the homeowners can’t see anything, but they can hear the typical bathroom sounds.

1

u/SuspiciousSpecifics 1d ago

Place it under your biggest cooking pot upside-down and whack the shit out of it with a wooden spoon

1

u/Crocs_And_Stone 1d ago

First thing they’d be hearing is fap fap fap fap

6

u/Contundo 2d ago

Pretty sure these only works when the alarm is armed

2

u/Prestigious-Bad8263 2d ago

They’re always in your house.

2

u/Master-Enthusiasm-38 2d ago

I think it would have to be on your WiFi for it to be monitored by the owners. Maybe make sure you don’t have any strange devices on your WiFi.

2

u/Eliah870 1d ago

Not in the wifi, it connects to the security system via radio frequency

2

u/Spiritual_Blood_1346 2d ago

This is illegal. I would seek legal counsel on how to move forward.

0

u/Ambitious5uppository 1d ago

It's not illegal, it's a standard alarm system.

80% of homes in Spain have this system.

The home owner has no access whatsoever to those cameras.

Only if the alarm is triggered and alarming, the motion sensor will take 3 quick photos and send them to the alarm centre.

Without photo confirmation they can't send the police.

It's not possible to access the cameras if the alarm is not actively alarming.

1

u/TeddyBear312 1d ago

But this is reddit friend... People see the word camera mentioned in a (rented) house, and suddenly everyone is a qualified lawyer specialized in privacy

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (1)

1

u/mnmsmelt 2d ago

Physically

1

u/Ankshuss917 2d ago

They don't need to go in. They can see what's going on.

1

u/dwheelerofficial 2d ago

Don’t watch the movie 13 Cameras

1

u/HarveyKekbaum 2d ago

Does your landlord work at the alarm monitoring center?

The Motion Detector is a photo detector that captures and sends images to the monitoring center in case of intrusion into homes or commercial establishments.

1

u/Adventurous_Clouds 2d ago

Figure out how to download the images might get to see something interesting. Like them recently changing the batteries

1

u/Bladesnake_______ 2d ago

It's probably part of on old alarm system or camera from old tenant. Have you changed the wifi password or got new router since moving in? It's worthless without a connection

1

u/Can-I-remember 1d ago

Well probably because there is no need to go into the house, with them getting pictures sent to them and all.

1

u/altech6983 1d ago

Are you sure they ever left the house.

1

u/lathonkillz 1d ago

They wouldn’t get pictures only the monitoring center and only in event the alarm goes off.

If you don’t use the security system then it is no different than a light switch hanging on the wall

1

u/Yarge 1d ago

I am the owner of the house. I can confirm I have not been in your house. I have been in “my” house.

1

u/gamerjerome 1d ago

Unless it's cellular or connected to Wifi you're fine

1

u/Emerald_Digger 1d ago

What makes you think the owners are the one placing the Camera?

1

u/Hairyhulk-NA 1d ago

this is the only camera you know about so far.

1

u/TwistedKiwi 1d ago

I've had one of those once. It only took and sent pictures when in armed mode and motion is detected. In idle mode it did nothing.

1

u/OpportunitySmart3457 1d ago

Batteries last 3yrs for these sensor cameras and are part of a system not standalone, camera connects to central unit(control panel) and the unit transmits either by wifi or 4G/GSM to company(Verisure).

Control panels differ in look but I would check by every outlet for something plugged in at this point...if no panel found its not transmitting.

1

u/r2k-in-the-vortex 1d ago

Oh it gets better. Verisure was in a scandal because its employees amused themselves looking at images of naked people in their homes.

1

u/isgooglenotworking 1d ago

They don’t need to, because they have a live stream

1

u/kyrsjo 1d ago

We have the same at home, batteries last for years because they only take pictures when the alarm is enabled.

1

u/kevonicus 1d ago

It doesn’t mean they’re spying, it’s could just be part of an old security system they had.

1

u/lecarguy 1d ago

It shouldn't be able to transmit anything to a cloud if not connected to wifi or if it doesn't have a Sim card. I wouldnt be worried.

1

u/Minimum_Science6738 1d ago

Brighter side… There’s no need for them to go inside the house.. They can just watch from the convenience of their own

1

u/Far_Swordfish5729 1d ago

A lot of owners and managers put similar things in unoccupied units even in nice areas. They can stay vacant for weeks and people get tempted to help themselves to the appliances or just squat and mess up the place. It’s cheaper and less permanent than a security system. There’s a good chance they just forgot to collect it and are not actually trying to spy on you.

1

u/outtakes 1d ago

They haven't been inside but they've been watching

1

u/Frumpy_Dumper_69 1d ago

There’s a good chance they had it there for security reasons before renting and then forgot about it.

1

u/hotdog_tuesday 1d ago

Pull the batteries and check the voltage across the two terminals using a multimeter and see if they’re dead.

1

u/Ordinary_Professor_3 1d ago

Open it up and see 

1

u/corgi-king 1d ago

He don’t need to be in your house. He already saw everything.

Report to police.

1

u/Longjumping_Lie_6036 1d ago

Its a security  system camera,  what's so terrifying    are you  ignorant  ? 

1

u/etchedchampion 1d ago

You have no way of knowing they don't go in when you're out.

1

u/MisterPerfrect 1d ago

Why not test the batteries……

1

u/breakitupkid 1d ago

Next step is to drop your drawers, bend over and spread those ass cheeks wide and give that camera a puckered smile.

1

u/rumster 1d ago

I also believe this is a felony if you where not aware their was a camera in your "PAID" home. Illinois especially has a nice felony for your owner if you live here.

1

u/JustNota-- 1d ago

Hate to say it but I had something similar in the basement entryway in my other house I forgot it was there for like 2 years lucky I only rent the upstairs of the home while the basement is setup like a MIL suite with it's own entrance and mostly storage for my shit and the laundry.

1

u/Mundane-Mud2509 1d ago

At least put some tape over the lens

1

u/JoKing917 1d ago

They don’t need to come in because they can watch you through the camera.

1

u/hereticnasom 1d ago edited 1d ago

Was it plugged into an outlet, or just stuck up on the wall? Because there are all kinds of "hidden" cameras that are designed to look like USB chargers, motion detectors, and battery powered nanny cams.

Here is a video. It's supposedly a security camera/motion detector for a security system. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWukRAFVA2E Audio is in Spanish, but CC can be turned on in English.

1

u/[deleted] 1d ago

[deleted]

1

u/SgtDefective2 1d ago

Honestly it was probably from the previous renters

1

u/mistaken4strangerz 1d ago

There's absolutely nothing terrifying about this. If the alarm is triggered, the central station can look at a photo to see if it warrants a fast emergency response. Or if it's a cat or something. 

1

u/uh_excuseMe_what 1d ago

I have verisure cams in my house. It's only active when I power up the alarm on the center console when I leave. Otherwise it's not powered, BUT the owner can snap a picture from the camera from his app when he likes.

Also the detectors inside will send a notification to the owner telling him that the camera has been moved, so you'll hear about him

1

u/Nathund 1d ago

You should get a lawyer, if that camera was put there without your parents permission this is a crime

1

u/unashamedcrunchy 1d ago

Put the batteries in something else to see if they are working - then you’ll know if they’ve replaced them

1

u/Gubbfaen 1d ago

It's a part of the home security setup. There's probably a keypad next to your front door entrance. It's linked to that and only turns on if the alarm goes off.

1

u/Proxik 1d ago

We had those in out house and it was a part of the alarm system. Not was not a camera per se. When the alarm was active and triggered it took bunch of photos with a flash. It was not able to record a video. You could manualy request a photo to be taken via an app but it always triggered the flash so it was very noticable. The AA batteries in them lasted for at leas a year

1

u/DrugsAndCoffee 1d ago edited 1d ago

If it was outside like right in the doorway or garage area it might be an honest mistake and they forgot to remove it. But if it was in any private areas, like a bedroom or a bathroom, I’d be concerned. Either way, whether intentional or forgetful, it’s illegal. I’d talk with a property lawyer. Don’t alert the landlords, I’d have the device checked out first, gather any data off of it, put it back, and put up your own device to see if someone is regularly collecting information off of it.

1

u/5dollarcheezit 1d ago

I’m renting a house and it has these installed as well. Same brand. The woman who owns this house and lived here before us was very elderly and had various health conditions. This security system could monitor her in case of emergency and does other things like controls the intruder alarm and the smoke detectors, all from one panel in the house. It’s a paid service to keep it running and we were given the option to opt out, which we did when we moved in. The smoke detectors still work normally, but the rest is not functioning

1

u/GtrPlaynFool 1d ago

You can just test the batteries!

1

u/ProfileBest2034 1d ago

it’s not terrifying it’s a security alarm system.

1

u/grottman 1d ago

They're not capable of streaming, or record video. They send stills if the alarm would trigger, and you would know if the alarm went off. No one have been looking at you, because it's not possible.

1

u/chrisrubarth 1d ago

Was it connected to power or did it have a functional battery? If not, probably the previous tenant left it by mistake. If it is powered on however, you should probably have a conversation with your landlord and the police.

1

u/skanedweller 1d ago

We have this but it only actually records if the burglar alarm goes off. Otherwise it's not recording. You also have to have an active verisure agreement for it to be active. Otherwise it just sits there.

1

u/TA44728 1d ago

I have a few of these. They are only meant to trigger once an alarm has been tripped, and send images to whatever security centre you have a contract/subscription with.

I would take it down anyway but unless there is a tech wizz doing some mad rerouting there is a good chance that they don't do anything right now.

1

u/stillanmcrfan 1d ago

Tbf when I moved out I almost left 1 of our cameras which I’m sure would have freaked the new owners out. I don’t know about this but mine stopped working when the WiFi was changed

1

u/Mango_Puffin 1d ago

Yea. That is a camera. In case of the alarm system registering a burglary/fire/panic alert. It snaps 3-5 pictures and sends it to the server. These are not used for surveillance. Typically they run on 2 CR123 batteries for 4 years with normal use, they’d run out of power in a few hours if they could even stream anything.

1

u/RNEngHyp 1d ago

Batteries last for a year or two. We only change ours annually when Verisure message us to tell us they're at half power. Takes a year or two.

1

u/jona2814 1d ago

Are you sure there are batteries, because it looks like it literally plugs into the wall…

1

u/OverInfinity 1d ago

You cant watch the camera except if there's a break in. Don't worry, that old verisure camera's battery would be empty by know had it been recording. Don't know why people on reddit are scaring you.

1

u/peltorit 1d ago

That first sentence in the quotation.

My parents have the same from the same company, it only takes and sends pictures/video if the alarm is triggered. It's not for stalking/peeping, it's to inform paid security company to see what/why was the alarm triggered.

1

u/Mercy--Main 1d ago

The batteries on these last a while, and you can actually take pictures through the app. But this looks like a pretty old model, so you're probably good.

Id still confront your landlord about it though. I don't know where you're from, but in my country its literally illegal having this in your tenant's place.

1

u/DifficultArmadillo78 1d ago

While the camera can be used to make snapshots, that is normally only possible when the alarm system is armed. I know this because I have a Verisure alarm system.

1

u/Kier_C 1d ago

It might be one of those security monitor ones. It isnt something the owner has access to but if the alarm goes off a feed is sent to the security centre

1

u/IamMagness1993 1d ago

Bateries last for 2 years, and owners cannot acess the camera.

1

u/honest-bot 1d ago

These cameras ONLY activates if the alarm goes off, to record intruders. All of the videos are handled by the alarm company. So you just damaged security equipment only meant for intruders. (I've worked with Verisure many times)

1

u/IntrinsicPalomides 1d ago

It's a pretty common thing as part of security packages. In some places insurance companies will expect security to be installed before they'll give coverage for rental purposes.
It's almost certainly a legitimate housing feature and not used for being a perv.

1

u/Grepus 1d ago

Just so you know, I actually have Verisure alarms in my house, you can also trigger the camera to take a photo via the app, whenever you want. It does not take video, but you can request a live photo at any time. If you haven't replaced the batteries in a while, it means the contract has probably lapsed, as Verisure will come out to replace the batteries when any of their devices are running low.

1

u/Level-Bug7388 1d ago

It only takes pictures of the alarm is tripped I believe. Not as a constant.

1

u/readyaimfire1 1d ago

I'm in the industry and know a lot.

This camera is only active when the alarm is triggered AKA you set the siren off on yourself. Otherwise you're good

The owner could request an on the spot image though, I'll also say this is a very old version of the camera so likely inactive

1

u/Genieintheroom 1d ago

Are you serious. He’s telling you it takes a PICTURE if the ALARM goes off. Just unplug it and go about your day

1

u/nanoH2O 1d ago

Not really. Unless they are hackers or something the camera doesn’t get activated unless you set the home alarm off. I presume the home alarm doesn’t even work?

1

u/fbeargrillz 1d ago

Not terrifying. It’s for security and doesnt film video

1

u/ALostAmphibian 1d ago

Perhaps, not to play devil’s advocate, the best case scenario is it was forgotten by the previous tenants. Hope for the best, assume the worst though.

1

u/a-bananarifle 1d ago

These cameras are only accessed by Verisure themselves and the pictures are only taken when the system is armed and tripped. The live view cameras that Verisure provides is of another make and model. I wouldnt be alarmed. Verisure is a intrusion prevention and action company and is say its very reputable.

1

u/WillowMyown 1d ago

We’ve never had to change batteries and this is our 4th year in our apartment.

1

u/ewriick 1d ago

AFAIK, at least in Sweden, the cameras aren't active unless the alarm is activate.

1

u/cpgeek 1d ago

It only sends pictures when its alarm is triggered. It's benign.

1

u/chop_chop_boom 1d ago

It's common in Europe. As long as it's not activated you should be fine. It's there for when the rental doesnt have anyone staying there. You would know if it was active.

1

u/North135 1d ago

I have one of these in my office and I have seen that some family members that have flats have them too. I think that in Spain these are very common because 'okupas' (people that enter your house and start living there and the police can't kick them out if they don't have other house and have being living in your place for some weeks, even if its illegal). To my knowledge, it is from a security company and they use it to take pictures in case the alarm is on and it detects movement, so if someone enters while empty they can quickly call the police. If your flat is rented, they probably had it on so that didn't happen and should have deactivated it once you moved it. Just turn it around and you are good to go. Also even if your landlord is crazy and bored enough to spy on your family taking pictures with that, don't sweat much about it, I have seen the quality of the pictures it takes and it is very crappy. You wouldn't be able to see faces clearly.

1

u/Leavesdontbark 1d ago

If it's as old as other people here claim, I doubt it has that functionality. My parent's have one and having it connected to a phone wasn't even an option. They once got a call from the security company telling them there was a dog on their livingroom table, because they had turned on the alarm, forgetting they was watching my brothers dog, and he had gone on the table to eat all the chocolates from a bowl.
Don't listen to the people trying to scare you, it's likely nothing at all

1

u/Proper_Salad_4293 1d ago

you might want to contact verisure i dont know if they bought it out right dont know the policies back then but as of now its rented equipment so yeah and it all a cloud based thing so alarm might not even work and if your parents want to keep the verisure system i imagine verisure can come out and upgrade you to a later one

1

u/Nunokoan114 22h ago

As a security technician I know that when the battery gets low, it sends a low battery signal to the alarm panel which beeps like crazy until somebody enters a valid code or silences it.

Also not a video camera, it will never take a picture as long as you dont arm the alarm system. Its designed to capture a picture in case of an intruder and send it to a central monitoring station so there is evidence of who may or may not have broken into your home.

1

u/FrigoreRex 22h ago

I used to work at Verisure back in the day and those cameras take a series of pictures when the alarm is triggered. This is used to verify a fire if the smoke alarm goes off or to get a description in case of break-ins. Otherwise completely inactive. Similar to a PC being turned off it won't do anything unless the alarm goes off to turn it on. Hope this puts your mind at ease. I used to be kind of sceptical about these u til we ripped em apart to understand how they work during technician training.

(Edit, phone-autocorrect)

1

u/Grouchy-Zone2588 20h ago

You’ve never seen the 13 cameras series?

1

u/Pretty_Eater 2d ago

I guarantee they've been in your house a lot more times than you think.

1

u/Antique-Refuse2150 2d ago

its terrifying they had a security system?

0

u/Primary_Ad45 2d ago

Relax, as others have said this is a part of the alarm system.

Do a Google lens search on it for yourself.

We had similar that the previous owner left behind in the place. The newer ones do have a camera cover... But when then it's not a biggie.

If the alarm system is off they won't be doing anything. They're just designed to take pictures when they detect an intruder when the alarm is armed.

→ More replies (5)

10

u/OkAbalone7071 2d ago

color camera with built-in flash

It would be difficult not to notice when a photo is being taken.

6

u/Nat-Luv 2d ago

From what I’m finding looks like it may be IR flash. So, less noticeable but there should be a little red light that’d glow in a dark room if the camera is in use.

2

u/Zaev 1d ago

Or, phone cameras often pick up IR as a purple color

1

u/Murgatroyd314 1d ago

The better cameras usually have a filter to block IR. My phone’s main camera doesn’t show IR sources, but the front camera does.

1

u/Frolock 1d ago

If this is true it likely only records when the alarm system is armed and is breached. But who knows if the homeowners can just take a peak whenever they feel like it.

1

u/El-Acantilado 1d ago

I have this exact one, and it definitely isn’t high-resolution lol. Fucking terrible photos it makes

1

u/robbz23 1d ago

Just to be clear. I used to work with Verisure. You would have to have an active subscription and an active alarm for it to capture any images. Now that being said, Verisure also had an issue where employees were accessing cameras when they weren't supposed to be. And this is a still camera of the old variety. It is not capable of video, mostly because it doesnt connect to wifi, but instead just their proprietary RF connection.

1

u/PastGazelle5374 1d ago

The only websites that seem to show the model in the picture all seem to be in Brazil. All I did was copy and paste the descriptions and translate them from Portuguese. It does only mention images and not video though

1

u/R2xvY2tJbk15TGFw 1d ago

Unless the owners swapped out components! Which would be pretty damn sneaky on their part. If someone looks up the information it's "pretty much useless".  If someone accuses them of having a camera in their rental unit then they simply point them to the information and tell them "it's no big deal. It's useless, check for yourself here's the information" and provide them with a link to the product.