Tennessee HOA Orders Most Home Security Cameras Be Taken Down

Residents of one Tennessee townhome community are being told to take down most of the security cameras mounted outside their homes.

The Townhomes of Bent Creek Homeowners Association in Nolensville recently notified residents that exterior security cameras are no longer allowed, with an exception for residential doorbell cameras, according to WSMV. WSMV writes that residents reached out to the outlet after receiving the notice, a transcript of which WSMV shared in its video coverage.

WKRN also visited the neighborhood and shared an image of what it reports is the HOA notice banning any non-doorbell cameras from residents’ property, with “Homeowner Broadcast Email DNR Message” in the margins.

According to the images of these notice transcripts and neighbor interviews conducted by WSMV, the association cited “maintaining consistent architectural standards” and “protecting the privacy of neighboring residents” when explaining the change. Doorbell cameras can remain as long as they follow restrictions on placement and what they capture.

Residents who do not comply could face fines, and homeowners were given an October deadline to make the required changes.

HOA Orders Most Security Cameras Removed

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The rule has drawn pushback from some residents who say exterior cameras help them keep an eye on their homes, vehicles and surroundings.

Bobby Blevins, a Bent Creek resident since its 2014 construction, told WSMV that he had installed a garage camera only weeks before receiving the notice. He said he planned to comply, although he would prefer to keep it if allowed.

“Most people have cameras outside their house for security and to keep yourself safe,” he noted, “so that was just a surprise to me,” Blevins said. “(Cameras are) just a normal thing that you buy on the internet.”

The community is managed by Ghertner & Company, a Middle Tennessee property-management company that works with homeowners associations and condominium communities.

The exact authority behind the new rule depends on Bent Creek’s own governing documents, including its declaration, bylaws, and architectural restrictions. Those documents would determine what changes residents may make to the exterior of their townhomes.

Police Recently Asked Residents to Check Camera Footage

The timing stands out because, as WMSV reports, police had recently called upon residents to consult their security footage to aid in a search.

After two people fled a stolen vehicle near Bent Creek on Sept. 9, the Nolensville Police Department asked nearby residents to check Ring doorbells and other security cameras for possible footage. The department shared their call for security footage in a Sept. 9 Facebook post.

We reached out to Ghertner & Company, the community’s property management firm, for more information about the policy and a copy of the notice sent to residents. We are awaiting a response.