filming visiors to my property

[seduraed]

I'v got one of the jobsowrth's from the council coming round to look at my hoouse under his sttutory powers. I want to film the entre thing for the purposes of accuracy andfr=or he record . He say's its illegl but i mantain that as he's coming on to my property then icanfilm him alli like. Nothing isgoing to be posted anywhere . Can anoyone advise ?

[mr.ton]

Re: filming visiors to my property

What stat powers? does this person have permission from a court or something??
If not tell them to get lost and ring the police to say that you are concerned someone is acting suspiciously around your home.

[seduraed]

Re: filming visiors to my property

building regs officers have the right to get a warant of entry and i really don't wantthe hasle ofgoing to court . I just want to film him doing his his inspection withthe sound on ofr the record. my memory is shockingly bad. a film will allow me to ensure that anything sent in a subsequent letter is actually what happened . This is all part of he campaign by the neighbours to get us out .

[Caspar]

Re: filming visiors to my property

This is a very complex question. The relevant law is unclear as to the definition of a film. It would appear to be a piece of -eg- video into which extra work has gone to turn it into a film. In this case, you, as the owner of the property own the copyright automatically.

However the more common issue over this type of filming is this:

Filming while on private property follows many restrictions. The owner of the property is permitted to film their own property. However, they must receive permission from others on the property to be allowed to film that person.

So you could do it, but only with the permission of the council official.

[mr.ton]

Re: filming visiors to my property

Film away & don't believe any bull about it being illegal - whats he going to do, take it off you in your own home?

[Caspar]

Re: filming visiors to my property

Film away & don't believe any bull about it being illegal - whats he going to do, take it off you in your own home?

I beg to differ. Can you quote the law where it says it is legal to film other people on your own property without their permission?

[Celestine]

Re: filming visiors to my property

Why not have someone accompany you during his visit? A friend or neighbour perhaps?
If you're relying on this chap to make a favourable decision about a building job, his opinion will hold weight, so it seems daft winding him up before you even start.

[Caspar]

Re: filming visiors to my property

Excellent advice Celestine.

[shamen]

Re: filming visiors to my property

We have a camera on the outside of our house and if we have any state related employees visiting us we record them using an audio recorder. To get around certain legal requirements, I had a sign on the front that reads 'These premises are protected by a security system. Anyone entering these premises consents to audio and video recording' and I dont bother even telling the person recording is taking place as I trust that they can read.

If someone enters the property after seeing that sign, then it would be hard for them to argue they did not consent - especially as they had to walk past the sign to get in the house.

If they chose not to enter, then that is their choice but I am not preventing them from entering, they are choosing not to. It would then be hard for, say, a building inspector, to argue that I had refused him entry when he in fact refused himself entry for his personal choice of not being recorded.

I had an argument with the council once because an officer refused to enter the house if they were recorded. The council tried to claim I was being 'un-cooperative' and denying them entry. I pointed out that they are more than welcome to enter my home for any legal reason and if they refuse that is their choice. I also pointed out that if I was requested to attend a meeting at the councils offices, I had no choice in being recorded by their CCTV system so didn't understand why they had a problem. They tried to argue that CCTV at the council was necessary for 'security' reasons such as terrorism, so I just said CCTV was necessary at my home for 'security' reasons too.

Of course, the root of the problem was because council officers dont like what they say being recorded so they can change their story later on, or just plain make things up to suit themselves later.

[Crazy council]

Re: filming visiors to my property

I agree with the point above, its not illegal if its on your property.

Secondly, you can not use the recording for evidence unless you state clearly at the start of the recording that you wish to use it as evidence.

video and audio recording have the same rules i beleive. You can record anything you like obn your own property, tyou just can not show it to anyone else unless you have permission of the person being recorded or have clearly stated on the recording that its not just for private use.

finaly, if you are going to use it as evidence, it really needs the time and dates stamping on each frame.

( i use zoneminder ).