Do coworking tenants have the right to access CCTV footage? Discover the legal, ethical, and contractual angles you must know before signing a lease.

Let’s get one thing straight: If you’re leasing a floor in a coworking space and don’t have guaranteed access to CCTV footage of shared zones like reception, entry, or canteen, you’re exposed. And when things go wrong, it’s not the fancy interiors or discounted rental that will save you, it’s what’s written in your contract. A tenant I recently spoke to had leased an entire floor in a coworking space, not a hot desk, not a cabin. One day, a serious incident occurred in the reception area. When did the team ask for the CCTV footage?

• The operator stalled.
• When pressed harder, and even offered a legal letter, the operator conveniently claimed: “The hardware was fried… exactly during that time window.”

Let that sink in. No accountability. No proof. No protection.CCTV Access Is Not Optional. It’s Fundamental.If the reception has cameras and you’re paying rent, you deserve access to the footage if safety is compromised. Not after an FIR.Not with a court order.Immediately.

Here’s why this matters:

• Security isn’t just about guards, it’s about digital evidence.
• Operators hiding behind “policy” or claiming tech failures? Red flag.
• In shared work environments, visibility equals protection; without it, you’re defenseless.

What Indian Law Says About CCTV Rights

India’s legal system doesn’t handhold you with tenant-specific surveillance laws, but you do have rights:

• Right to Privacy- Article 21, Constitution of India– As reaffirmed in Justice K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017), if you’re visible in CCTV footage, that’s your data.
•  IT Act, 2000 & IT Rules, 2011-Organizations must protect and disclose data responsibly. Blocking access without justification can be seen as misuse or negligence.

Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP)

Empowers you to access, correct, or request deletion of personal data, including CCTV recordings. Full rollout is expected soon, but the framework already sets expectations.

Bottom line: If you’re part of the footage, you have the right to view it.

What Do Responsible Coworking Operators Say?

While laws provide a base, actual implementation is where most coworking spaces fall short, or shine.

We asked some of India’s coworking leaders for their take.

Robin Chhabra, Founder & CEO, Dextrus:

Your stance on tenant access to CCTV footage during security-related concerns?
“At Dextrus, we believe in maintaining a safe and transparent environment for all our members. In instances involving potential security threats, such as suspicious packages, unauthorised access, or incidents that compromise member safety, we support tenant access to CCTV footage from shared spaces like receptions. However, this access is always governed by due process to ensure that we are not compromising the privacy rights of other members or violating any legal boundaries.”How does your brand balance privacy with transparency in shared spaces? “Balancing transparency and privacy is crucial in a shared ecosystem like ours… we follow strict protocols to ensure access is granted only when absolutely necessary and always under a formal process.” Any internal protocols or safeguards in place around such requests? “Yes, we have a defined internal protocol for handling CCTV access requests. All such requests must be formally submitted and are reviewed by our operations and legal teams. Only footage relevant to the reported incident and within a specific timeframe is retrieved, and the viewing is typically facilitated in the presence of an internal representative. This ensures the footage is not misused or taken out of context, while addressing genuine member concerns with integrity.”

Saroj Mittal, Founder, Ofis Square: Your stance on tenant access to CCTV footage during security-related concerns?

“At Ofis Square, the security and trust of our customers are of prime concern. In the fast-moving work culture today, security issues like suspicious deliveries, disputes, or unidentified threats may occur. In such cases, we work in full cooperation and provide CCTV recordings from common places like receptions on formal request by the clients.”

How does your brand balance privacy with transparency in shared spaces?

“Our approach is simple and effective. We are all about transparency and prompt assistance, ensuring that the shared footage is pertinent and only related to the particular incident.”

Any internal protocols or safeguards in place around such requests?

“Coworking is founded on trust, and we do our best at Ofis Square to maintain that by being responsive and responsible when it comes to our customers’ right to feel safe.”These brands prove that balancing transparency, safety, and privacy isn’t an unsolvable problem, it’s a matter of leadership and intent.

What Your Lease Must Include, No Exceptions – “If you’re finalizing a coworking agreement, here’s exactly what needs to be in the contract:

Footage Access Clause: “Tenant shall have the right to request CCTV footage from common areas (reception, entry points, canteen, elevator zones) in the event of a reported security incident.”

Defined Retrieval Timeline: “Footage will be shared digitally or for in-person review within 48 hours of formal request.”

Retention Policy “Operator shall store footage for at least 30 days and preserve it upon any safety-related request.”

Escalation Path: “If denied, the Tenant may escalate to the facility head or through formal grievance protocol.”

Legal Compliance Clause: “Operator agrees to comply with Indian data protection laws, including IT Act, SPDI Rules, and DPDP Act 2023.”

Red Flags You Can’t Ignore

1.  No signage for cameras in the reception
2.  Violation of IT law signals poor infrastructure
3. Staff are unaware of the footage request protocol- Your request will go in circles, or nowhere
4.  Legal notice required for access – Weaponizing red tape to protect themselves, not you
5. “Hardware failure” excuse – If the camera fails only when incidents happen, it’s a cover-up, not a coincidence
6. No written process or SOP –  No SOP = no recourse. You’re at their mercy.

Bonus: 5 Smart Questions to Ask Before You Sign

1. Can I review your CCTV access and grievance policy?
2. How long is CCTV footage stored?
3. What is the turnaround time for footage access?
4. Who approves access, and under what process?
5. Have you ever denied footage access? If yes, why? If they hesitate or dodge even one, walk away.

Coworking Is Booming, But Not All Spaces Are Built Equal

Too many tenants in India still choose coworking spaces based on price, vibe, or location, not safety infrastructure or transparency.  But that’s changing. We’re entering a phase where trusted, branded players, the ones who provide auditable systems, enforceable protocols, and professional governance,  will become the norm. Startups, corporates, and even investors will gravitate toward operators who respect both privacy and protection. If your coworking contract doesn’t clearly give you access to surveillance in areas you pay to occupy, you’re not leasing office space, you’re leasing risk.

Put it in writing. Or prepare to fight for your footage later.

(This article reflects the author’s personal views and opinions and is intended for informational and editorial purposes only. It does not aim to defame, harm, or target any individual, organization, or entity. All facts and incidents mentioned have been sourced from publicly available information and verified reports at the time of writing. The article seeks to highlight issues relevant to investigative journalism, freedom of speech, and systemic challenges in India. Any resemblance to persons or events not explicitly mentioned is purely coincidental. Readers are encouraged to form their own opinions and conduct further research where necessary. )

Source:- realtynxt.com