Long story below. Short version is that when looking for a new place, I had to turn down a couple of properties I had found because of their ‘photos, videos, etc’ policy in their lease which tells you that you are giving up your right to privacy while living there. They clearly state that you can revoke this but when I asked to revoke it as a comment in the lease that I am actually signing, they would not allow it. I am hoping they change their mind. There were a couple of other things that felt wrong to me about the process.

I have been in process of moving and toured, applied and paid about $250 to apply at recent apartment buildings. One of them, changed the price the same night I applied online, as I was instructed to do. (the employee is just working for a system, I am not blaming them.) By the time I had gotten the approval with the offer of a lease, the price had gone up about $50. Six weeks ago, I had decided to move to this place and when I toured the first time, It was about $200 cheaper. It was too soon to sign a lease. They wouldn’t allow signing a lease that far out. I had to move in within 2 weeks. They say the price changes every day… I don’t like the idea of dealing with someone who is changing from what they said and their actual offer, so I continued to look. I found another great option. Unfortunately, when I went to sign the lease, there was a clause in it about ‘photos, videos…’ From how I understood it, it was basically giving up my right to not be photographed, videos, use voice, written comments, any ‘likeness’ on their ‘websites’ and any social media. In the last paragraph it says you can revoke this right at any time with some blank lines following. I asked the company how to properly revoke that section to maintain my privacy, knowing this was my right, per the lease.

Their employees said that it is just used for ‘resident events.’ I would believe that too if I had been told that. It just doesn’t feel right. They said that they could not alter the lease in any way and I would have to sign it as is, but I could send them an email with my revocation. I sent the email ahead of the signing of the lease because I did not want to sign an official lease and trust that they would keep the email in my ‘file.’ They refused and said I had to sign it as is, so I backed out.

The other place has a similar clause in their lease, but it also says you basically forfeit your ‘right to privacy’. Whether or not it is for marketing, I don’t think it is right. There is always the option for someone to abuse that when you give up your right. On your community property, it benefits all of us for safety reasons that there are cameras, outside of your dwelling. There is no reason to forfeit your right inside your dwelling.

The other place also had a violence against women clause. The wording I understood was that if you are a victim of violence or stalking, you have to prove it within 14 days or be evicted…. This is a ripe algorithm to further push already delicate people into homelessness.

I was told by YouTube there is a lawsuit currently with big landlords and the price getting jacked up. Running around town applying to more places is not really going to help much as the same company owns these properties, usually managed by different management companies. I totally understand protecting oneself as a landlord. I was a landlord for a brief period; however, there is no reason at all to agree to lose your right to privacy and to be filmed, especially within your own dwelling, that you take possession of.
I called the tenant union of Arizona. I was told I would be called back after she got my name. That was Friday around lunch time. I am not currently a member but was ready to join right away. I wonder why she didn’t call me back. (I also don’t feel a need to know someone’s name before helping them…
I doubled down on my search Saturday, sent out numerous emails after hunting the web in my filter criteria for a dog. One rental called me back. There is a really great system that shows properties electronically for landlords, showmojo with a code. (unfortunately, I had to ‘agree’ access to my phone and a rather large disclaimer including some privacy rights). I set up some viewings of some new places hoping I would have better luck with a private landlord. After arriving at the first property, I was unable to get the code. Someone from the company emailed me that my showings had to be ‘cancelled.’

Continuing to exhaust myself and spin my wheels is going to be exhausting and only set me up to not be thinking clearly. I am hoping for the best and changing direction.

I also found this on the web, which made me realize that it is more widespread.

In the first link, the lawyer Phillip Simmons, explains that it is illegal to discriminate on the basis of age, gender, religion, or any other protected status. (I believe I read somewhere that in this state you can not be discriminated on the basis of your family name.) As I understand it, they can force you to resign other reasons, that are not illegal. The only reason I am adding a paraphrase is in case it is taken down.

This is an issue for everyone. What if your 19 year old daughter signs a lease like this? You really think this is not going to be taken advantage of? You think this is not going to leak into other areas of your life? Anyone need a mortgage?