Hidden Camera Installed by Landlord

My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: California.

Hello all. First time poster here.
My wife and I rent a room from a homeowner. The homeowners also rent out two other rooms besides ours.
Recently the homeowners young (8yr old) daughter made a comment to me that she, "knows me and my wife fight a lot". I asked her how she knew this and she told me that she could "see" us because her daddy put a camera in our room. I figured she was just lying and telling tall tales as young children often do. But she was very specific in her description of the camera and the viewing process. She said that there was a DVR and that her daddy could hook it up to the computer and that "mommy and daddy" would watch us.

This is very creepy: the thought of my intimate moments with my wife being secretly recorded.

Question #1: This can't be legal, can it!!?

#2: should I confront the homeowners about this? Or should I try to find this hidden camera in my room? What are some ways to go about finding it? Are there "hidden camera detectors" on the market?

#3: if I do find a camera do I go to the police?

Thanks in advance for all your help, everyone. Hopefulu the child was telling tall tales.

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Of course this is illegal.

Call the police.

I agree with cyjeff. Confronting the landlord, even if he appears willing to remove the camera, will not deal with any of the recordings of you that he may have made. They could remain hidden for some time - maybe even years and then suddenly show up on internet sites.

Absolutely illegal. Felony illegal. Go to the police immediately.

After the fools are arrested and convicted. Get a good attorney and sue them into the ground. You will then be the landloard.

Thanks for the advice. Remember guys, all I'm going on here is an 8yr olds word. I haven't actually found proof of a hidden camera yet. My friend and I are going to check it out later.
Any recomendations as to how to look for it? And viable detectors or things like that that actually work?

That isn't an area that I can help on from personal knowledge. I did a quick check and found that if you do a web search on "detecting hidden cameras" there are a number of sites that give some ideas. Keep in mind that you may be being watched while you are searching, so a failed attempt may alert a perpetrator to remove the camera while you and your wife are out.

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Quoting Scott67

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That isn't an area that I can help on from personal knowledge. I did a quick check and found that if you do a web search on "detecting hidden cameras" there are a number of sites that give some ideas. Keep in mind that you may be being watched while you are searching, so a failed attempt may alert a perpetrator to remove the camera while you and your wife are out.

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Okay, so I think what the little girl might have been talking about was a camera hidden in a smoke detector in the main hallway. It's just outside the room we rent above the entrance from the garage door. Now as to what buisiness the homeowners have watching it and noting me and my wife's personal life I have no idea. I'm going to check it out and see if it's actually a camera. Does anyone know that if, in fact, this is a camera in the main hallway it is legal in CA?

Any links to what you reference would be great! Thanks.

Just type "detecting hidden cameras" (without the quote marks) into the search box of your web browser. You'll get quite a number of links. Look at the ones you chose. I haven't reviewed them all to venture an opinion on which might be more applicable to your situation.

The question of recording video in a common area is likely a bit more complex, but if they're recording audio that would appear to violate California's eavesdropping statute.

Okay everyone...I have another question...here goes..
Because of the feeling of uneasiness that my wife and I share about the possibility of a camera being hidden in or near our room without our knowledge of it we are now looking for a new place to stay.

My question is this: Do I still LEGALLY need to provide them 30-days-notice of us leaving? We are leaving because we feel uncomfortable because of the comments that the owner's daughter made. We feel like the best thing for us to leave asap. We simply do not feel comfortable here anymore. We always have the "hidden camera" in the back of our minds.
Please advise! Thanks so much in advance for you help

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Quoting Dunamisbass

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Okay everyone...I have another question...here goes..
Because of the feeling of uneasiness that my wife and I share about the possibility of a camera being hidden in or near our room without our knowledge of it we are now looking for a new place to stay.

My question is this: Do I still LEGALLY need to provide them 30-days-notice of us leaving? We are leaving because we feel uncomfortable because of the comments that the owner's daughter made. We feel like the best thing for us to leave asap. We simply do not feel comfortable here anymore. We always have the "hidden camera" in the back of our minds.
Please advise! Thanks so much in advance for you help

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You will still need to provide a 30 days notice to the LL. But depends on what your lease says, you will still owe for the rent for those months. Unless LL lets you out with penalty. If this a month to month lease, you need to provide a 30 days notice only. If the LL ask you why, tell him the truth.