CCTV overlooking our house

[meerkatsmimm]

Can our neighbours have a CCTV camera set up to overlook our house? Its one of those half moon type ones that look like a globe and its on the side of their house which faces our front and in my eyes not really covering much of their actual property...

[ironman]

Re: CCTV overlooking our house

i am new to the forum but i will say this.

Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights guarantees Everyone has the right to respect for his of her Private and Family life, home and correspondence.

This will normally be covered under the Data Protection Act but this does not apply to private residence. You are generally allowed to record the curtilege of your own premises or private motor vehicle parked in the street. You cannot view adjoining properties or premises

Have you spoken to the neighbour about your concerns. If you get no joy the first port of call will be the local authority as this will be a civil matter, not criminal. voyeurism might be an issue as well.

[Wombats]

Re: CCTV overlooking our house

As with the DPA, the Human Rights Act does not cover private individuals either in this context. However, sometimes a public authority would have a duty to stop others (people or companies) abusing your human rights. Thus the police may have a duty to take action, but this is best avoided if at all possible.

[enquirer]

Re: CCTV overlooking our house

Much would depend on the lens and the positioning of the camera. For devices covering a door, the angle is small and the view limited. Those intended for more general surveillance - such as on the side of a house, for instance - are necessarily different.

It is likely that a camera placed with general security in mind will overlook an adjacent property. A minor intrusion is unlikely to give sufficient cause for complaint. However, if it looks directly through a bedroom window, or was obviously intended to irritate, then that would be another matter.

Consider the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. This provides for both a crime and a tort. Injunctions can be obtained.

[wales01man]

Re: CCTV overlooking our house

If they are friendly I would ask the neighbours why they have set up a Camera

[Wombats]

Re: CCTV overlooking our house

I guess as long as it isn't looking straight through your bedroom / bathroom window or similar, the other view to take is to pop round and thank them for adding some free security to your property should anyone try to break into your house. :tinysmile_twink_t2: