Personal CCTV and smart doorbells

Legally, can I install personal CCTV/smart doorbells to capture video or sound recordings?

Yes, you can use CCTV or a smart doorbell to capture footage or sound, but it’s important to limit the recording to your property only. By keeping the coverage within your boundaries (like your garden or front door area), data protection laws don’t apply. If this isn’t possible and the CCTV or smart doorbell cameras capture someone else’s property or a public area or communal space then data protection law applies. This is because CCTV can capture images and voices of other people and this counts as personal information. To find out more information, visit the ICO website.

Tips for complying with privacy laws:

• Position your camera carefully to avoid recording your neighbours’ properties, gardens, shared spaces or public streets.
• If your camera captures footage outside your property, you’ll need to follow certain rules under UK GDPR and data protection law.

Do I need your permission before I install CCTV?

Yes, you must tell us of any alterations to the interior or exterior of your property. To do this, you can complete the permission to alter external elements of your home form – Please select Satellite Dish/Aerial/CCTV/Security Lighting/Security Alarms. You should follow steps one to three to help you complete the form. ​

Do I need to remove this if I move out?

Yes, any CCTV/smart doorbell equipment must be removed before you leave your home.

Before installing CCTV/smart doorbell, consider the following:

1. Is CCTV/smart doorbell necessary?
   Could improved lighting or other security measures serve your needs? Do you have a clear reason for using the CCTV or smart doorbell?
2. Privacy-friendly setup:
   Think about ways to set up the camera with minimal impact on the privacy of others.
   • Which areas do you want to capture?
   • Can the camera be positioned to avoid neighbours’ properties or public spaces?
3. Recording needs:
   Decide if you need to record images or if a live feed alone would work.
4. Audio recording:
   Does the system have an audio feature? Consider if it’s necessary, as audio can be more intrusive.
5. Automatic deletion:
   Does the system allow you to auto-delete footage? If not, set a schedule for regular manual deletion.

Neighbour considerations:

• Communicate with neighbours about your plans to install a camera. This can help address any privacy concerns early.
• If a neighbour objects to being recorded, consider adjusting your camera angle to respect their privacy, as long as this doesn’t reduce your security.

What are the rules?

Data protection law says that people who capture images or audio recordings from outside their property boundary must:

1. Have a clear reason for using the CCTV.
2. Make sure the CCTV doesn’t capture more than needed.
3. Let people know you are using CCTV (eg by displaying a sign).
4. In most cases, provide some of the recordings if asked by a person whose image or audio, or both, the CCTV has captured.
5. Delete the footage regularly or automatically, or both.
6. Stop recording a person if they object to being recorded and there’s no legitimate reason to continue recording them.

If you’re facing anti-social behaviour

In cases where surveillance may capture incidents of anti-social behaviour, reach out to your Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Advisor or Housing Officer for guidance.

Minimising intrusion

To respect the privacy of others, you might consider:

• Reducing the recording range of your camera.
• Turning off audio recording.
• Avoiding continuous recording when not necessary.

Important reminder

Posting footage online, especially if it shows other people, can breach privacy rights. It’s rarely acceptable to share images of others on social media.

What to do if you’re uncomfortable with a neighbour’s CCTV

If you’re concerned that a neighbour’s camera captures your property or personal data, approach them calmly and ask if they can adjust the camera’s angle. If you’re unable to resolve it directly, we can help. Early steps, such as mediation, can help prevent escalation.

Can I object to a CCTV owner recording, even if they have a legitimate reason?

Yes, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that the CCTV owner must stop recording or reposition their camera. You have the right to object to the use of your personal information. To exercise this right, you must contact the CCTV owner to object to their use of your personal information. The CCTV owner must think about whether they should be collecting or using personal information. If after receiving your objection they decide to continue using footage or sound, they should give a very strong reason to justify why. An example could be for crime prevention. If they can’t justify collecting the personal information, then they must stop recording or reposition the camera. However, the ICO are unlikely to find it fair or balanced to force a CCTV owner to move their camera.

For further guidance, visit the ICO’s website.