Can landlord install camera in kitchen?

The only places a landlord may install a camera is in a common area of the building - entryways, shared exterior hallways, porches, laundry rooms etc.  Anywhere one has an expectation of privacy, in other words, inside your home, it is illegal. Also, cameras cannot be directed toward windows, on the property or on other property, to possibly 'see inside'.

Tenants may install cameras in interior spaces that are shared with others - kitchens, living rooms etc. These may not be directed toward neighbors' windows.  A tenant can install a camera in their bedroom, to catch on film anyone who enters. They cannot install one in the bedroom of any other roommate, and bathrooms are a strict no-no.

So you as the landlord cannot put up a camera in the kitchen to catch what goes on in there, but the tenants may.  You can't be involved in it, however. Any sort of 'agreement' with any tenant, that involves you supplying the equipment, or them reporting back to you with their own equipment, could bring a lawsuit for violating the privacy of those not in on the 'agreement'.

Regardless of camera or not in common areas, each and every one of your tenants is legally responsible for costs in 'common areas' and any damage done by whoever did it...... so all of the tenants need billing  the cost of repair and let them sort out who pays what

Landlords have a duty to provide tenants with a safe environment. Thus, landlords can justify placing cameras in common areas. ... Tenants in those places still have a right to privacy inside their own rooms and bathrooms. But, living rooms, kitchens, and hallways are common areas and thus may be subject to surveillance.

No.  That would be spying on them.  Send the "one girl" the repair/replacement bill, due in 30 days.  If she doesn't pay it, apply her rent to the stoved bill and use the rest for rent and remind her of the balance owing on rent.  If she fails to pay it, promptly evict her for non-payment of rent.

check with a lawyer, since you don't live there, maybe not....may violate peaceful enjoyment

and check if you need consent for audio (US does, don't know about CA).  the other girls saying so doesn't prove it.

i would at the very least, check with all them and see how they feel about it....and give them a chance to move out if they don't like it before going ahead with it.

Putting the camera aside, it doesn't matter from your standpoint who did the damage.  They are all responsible for the common area they rent.  You can and should charge all of them for damages.  They then can sue each other if they believe they have enough evidence that one of them was the cause.

Yes cameras can be put in common areas. 

yes, but they might just destroy th camera.

You didn't give enough information for anyone to know.

Are all the tenants on the same lease together renting the entire house as one unit?  If yes, the answer is no.

If each tenant is on their own lease for their own private bedroom and has permission to use the common areas, then generally speaking, yes.

You can't put a camera inside a space that someone else has rented to be private and in their sole possession (tenants on one lease sharing a home together).   But putting a camera in a common space that different tenants have access to but no expectation of privacy in...yes.