Security Cameras During Showings: What Miami Sellers Can Record
Can a Miami seller record buyers during showings?
Video of common areas is generally legal in Florida, but audio is not. Section 934.03 requires consent from everyone in the conversation, and a violation can be a felony. Even legal cameras can cost you offers, so turn off audio on every device, remove interior cameras, and post a notice.
By Lynley Ciorobea | October 6, 2026
Seventy-two percent of recent buyers say they saw or suspected a camera or microphone while touring a home. That comes from a LendingTree survey that Florida Realtors passed along to members in August. The number that matters more to you is this one: 34% said knowing they were being recorded would make them less likely to make an offer.
Your doorbell camera has a price. You just never see the invoice.
Start with the law, because that's the part that can hurt you in a way that has nothing to do with price. Florida is an all-party consent state for audio. Section 934.03 of the Florida Statutes makes it a crime to intercept an oral communication without the consent of everyone in the conversation, and a violation is generally a third-degree felony. Video alone is treated differently. A camera on your front door or foyer is usually fine. A camera in a bathroom or bedroom while a stranger is in the room is a separate crime entirely.
Here's the catch. Plenty of cameras record sound by default. Smart doorbells, indoor cams, the little one on the bookshelf. Many sellers don't know theirs does. Then a buyer's agent says "they'll never get that price" in your kitchen, and you have a recording of it. I'm not your attorney, and whether a particular conversation carries an expectation of privacy is a legal question. The safe answer is simple: turn the audio off.
Now the part nobody tells sellers. Even when it's legal, it backfires. In that same survey, 45% of sellers with active devices said the recordings influenced their negotiations. Buyers noticed. About 22% avoided talking about budget, 22% hid their excitement, and 18% decided against making an offer at all. Their agents are coaching them to treat every showing as if the seller is sitting in the living room, and many will ask you directly before they book.
A buyer who won't say what they love is a buyer you can't read. You wanted the information. You got silence.
Most sellers install cameras for good reasons: protecting valuables and keeping an eye on a vacant house. Both are fair. Neither needs a microphone in the kitchen. If the house is empty, the bigger exposure is probably your policy, not the footage (I covered the 60-day vacancy trap separately). Here's what I'd do before the first showing:
Turn audio off on every device, not just the indoor ones. Doorbells count.
Take down any camera in a bedroom, bathroom, or closet. Don't just cover it.
Leave exterior cameras at the gate, driveway, and entry, and add a visible notice in the showing instructions.
Put jewelry, watches, cash, and prescriptions somewhere that isn't the house.
Tell your listing agent where every camera is. Ask them to disclose it to buyer's agents.
The better security measure is a person. For higher-priced homes, a listing agent or showing assistant at the door and a pre-approval letter or proof of funds before the appointment will do more than any lens. In guard-gated communities like Cocoplum or Gables Estates, the gate usually keeps a visitor log already. That's real documentation of who came and when, with no one's conversation attached to it.
Showing volume matters too. On my Pinecrest listings, the median time to contract has been 50 days. That is a lot of days for a recording device to sit in a hallway, and a lot of buyers walking through. If you're selling in Pinecrest, plan for that stretch. On my Coral Gables single-family listings the median has been 6 days, so the exposure is shorter, but those first few showings are exactly the ones where you most want buyers talking freely.
Say it plainly in the showing instructions: exterior video cameras only, no audio recording anywhere on the property. A buyer's agent who reads that line relaxes, and a relaxed buyer talks. A posted sign can help with a video privacy claim, but it isn't a substitute for consent when sound is involved, so don't lean on signage to cover a microphone you forgot about.
Tonight, walk through your house and count the cameras. Then open each device's app and check whether it records sound. If you can't find the setting, that's your answer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it legal for a Florida seller to record audio during showings?
Generally no, unless everyone being recorded consents. Section 934.03 of the Florida Statutes requires all-party consent for recording oral communications, and a violation can be a third-degree felony. Turn audio off and ask your attorney about your specific setup.
Can I use a doorbell camera while my Miami home is listed?
Usually yes for video of your entry. Many doorbells also record audio, so disable that feature. A visible notice in your showing instructions is smart, since buyers and their agents will see the camera anyway.
Do I have to tell buyers about security cameras?
Florida's standard seller disclosure doesn't specifically require it, but buyer's agents are expected to warn their clients and often ask. Tell your listing agent where every camera is and let them disclose it up front.
Do cameras during showings hurt my sale price?
They can. In a LendingTree survey cited by Florida Realtors, 34% of recent buyers said knowing they were recorded would make them less likely to make an offer, and 18% decided against offering at all.
About Lynley Ciorobea
Lynley Ciorobea is a Miami-born real estate professional known for helping homeowners successfully prepare, position, and sell their homes across Coral Gables, South Miami, Pinecrest, Palmetto Bay, and the surrounding southern Miami neighborhoods. Since 2007, she has built her business around thoughtful strategy, strong negotiation, and a marketing-first approach designed to help listings stand out in an ever-evolving market.
A true local, Lynley grew up in Pinecrest and graduated from Palmer Trinity School before attending Duke University, where she earned a BA in Psychology. Her deep roots in Miami give her a nuanced understanding of the architecture, lifestyle, and character that make each neighborhood distinct. From classic Old Spanish homes in Coral Gables to newer construction in South Miami and Pinecrest, she brings a local perspective that goes far beyond surface-level market knowledge.
Over the years, Lynley has naturally become a trusted resource for homeowners preparing to sell. Many of her clients come to her long before their home ever hits the market, looking for guidance on timing, pricing, improvements, and how to position their property thoughtfully. She approaches each listing as a strategic launch rather than a simple transaction, combining market insight, negotiation experience, and elevated marketing to help sellers move forward with clarity and confidence.
As the founder of the Lynley Residential Group, Lynley remains personally involved in every listing she represents. She leads each transaction from initial strategy through closing, ensuring that every detail — from pricing and preparation to storytelling and exposure — reflects the uniqueness of the home itself. Her work often centers on architecturally interesting properties and homes where thoughtful positioning can make a meaningful difference in outcome.
Throughout her career, Lynley has consistently ranked among the top real estate agents in Miami. She has been recognized as part of EWM's Chairman's Club, placing in the top 5% of the company; in 2022 she was honored as the #2 individual agent at the company overall with $37 million in annual sales; and she's a leader in Miami with Real Broker. With more than $100 million in career transactions and more than 60 5-star Google reviews, her experience spans a wide range of property types while maintaining a strong focus on seller representation in southern Miami.
Beyond her work with clients, Lynley is known locally for her market insight and community-focused content. Through her weekly newsletter, neighborhood videos, blog posts, and social media, she shares thoughtful perspectives on the Miami real estate market and the lifestyle that surrounds it. Her approach is informative without being overwhelming, offering homeowners a clear understanding of how market conditions affect real decisions.
If you're preparing to sell a home in Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, South Miami, Pinecrest, Palmetto Bay, or nearby areas, Lynley offers a local perspective shaped by experience, relationships, and a genuine understanding of what makes Miami homes so special. Learn more at lynleyresidential.com.