if you took a photo of a condemned apartment, and you did not distribute it, can anyone pursue legal action?

Question

a neighbor got their apartment condemned, another neighbor took a photo of the sign on the door. Even though the photo was not distributed, or sold, the landlord is still trying to hunt down who did it, and persue legal action.

everyone has the right to stand on public property and take a photograph of whatever they deem appropriate, correct?

personally, i believe the woman that got her apartment condemned in the first place got what was coming. she never cleaned, and thinks the health inspector was out to get her. i share an attic space with her, and what i smell tells me, the health inspector was just doing their job.

what do you think? what can or cant you take a photograph of? what does this landlord have to power to do?

to answer the question of how does the landlord know the photo was taken, family members of the woman whos apartment was condemned saw someone taking photos, but did not come out to question, as they were busy cleaning. the woman was very disturbed by this, and complained to the landlord. however, she cannot prove who it was, and is working very hard to prove who it was, and punsih them any way possible.
she cannot prove they were distributed, because i know they are not and were not ever distributed in any way. (they never left my camera)

Answer 1

I pursue legal action against upskirt photographers.

I think the landlord is SOL

Answer 2

How does the landlord know a photo was taken if the photo "was not distributed, or sold"?

I don't see how someone could lose a case if all they did was take a picture in a public place. However, you can be sued for almost anything, regardless of how trivial the case or the likelihood of a verdict.

Answer 3

There's no legal action that the idiot landlord can take. Condemnation is a matter of public record. Anyone could take as many pics as they wished and do anything with them and there's nothing that the landlord will prevail at.

Answer 4

You can take a picture of anything you want from the sidewalk or street or public property but you can not trespass. Im am a appraiser and I take pictures of peoples homes all the time and people get pissed off all the time and tell me I can't do it and I tell them I can, and if they don't like it they can call the cops. Never had a problem. Also condemned prop is public infromation. If you really want to piss her off, print up some copys and pass them around the neighborhood, there is nothing she can do.

Answer 5

There is no reasonable expectation of privacy about what is posted on the outside of the front door of a structure. However, if you can to cross the property to get close enough to take the photo, you may be trespassing. From your description, it would seem that the landlord is free to be angry but can't do anything about it.

Answer 6

They would have to PROVE that the photo was taken, still exists today & was distributed. Heresay doesn't count.
They're blowing off steam because they're embarassed. Just ignore them.
Tell all your neighbors, friends, etc to just ignore the crazy people and don't answer any questions. No big deal.

Answer 7

No harm taking a picture—distribution and intended use can be a problem. How did the landlord know the picture was taken?..

Answer 8

In California you are covered by the implied warranty of habitability. With regards to cockroaches or rats, your landlord is required to keep the common grounds and public areas free from infestation. This ONLY applies to the areas outside of your apartment that are for common use. As a tenant you are responsible for the sanitary condition inside the apartment. The burden is on you to get rid of the cockroaches and rats.

Answer 9

Anything viewed from public, or your own, property is not private.