This guidance is for residents seeking permission to install a Closed Circuit Television (CCTV), video doorbell or other video image capturing device at their home.
There has been a rapid growth in affordable home video security products available, providing an easy medium to capture and store information and images.
Data captured can be instantly sent to a mobile phone or computer.
Other products resemble traditional CCTV cameras and are easily recognised.
The Terms and Conditions of your Tenancy Agreement state under Section 2 Your Responsibilities Clause 27 Security Systems that 'If you wish to install your own security doors, a burglar alarm or CCTV, you must obtain our prior written permission'.
As your landlord we reserve the right to refuse permission if we have good reason to.
We may also attach conditions which you must keep to.
CCTV/video doorbell is a useful tool to reduce crime and ASB but there are alternatives to consider before permission is granted and we would expect you to contact one of the specialists below before purchasing a CCTV system.
For example could you report anti-social behaviour to us or The Neighbourhood Policing Teams and Community Safety Team?
Please also ask yourself the following questions:
- Could I use another means to protect my home, eg additional lighting?
- What do I want my CCTV system to view and record (this could be the front door, a parking space, gardens or outbuildings)?
- Does it need to record all the time?
- Does it need to record audio?
- How will CCTV/video doorbell affect my neighbours and members of the public?
There may be a breach of the Human Rights Act 1988 Article 8. Public authorities, including the police and local councils, must balance the benefits of using CCTV against an individual’s right to privacy.
It is recommended you read the GOV.UK advice guide for more information.
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) regulates and enforces the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA).
The ICO explains that if you set up your system so it captures only images within the boundary of your private domestic property, including your garden, then the data protection laws will not apply to you.
If your system captures images of people outside the boundary of your private domestic property, for example, in neighbours’ homes or gardens, shared spaces, or on a public footpath or a street, then the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA18) will apply to you.
You will need to ensure your use of CCTV complies with these laws.
If the installation of your system requires you to comply with Data Protection laws and you don’t, legal action may be taken against you.
Conditions attached to approval
If approval is granted, the following conditions will apply.
- The installation must be carried out by a suitably qualified technician.
- The CCTV/video doorbell must be securely fixed to an external wall and care must be taken to ensure that the building is not damaged or compromised.
- The camera must not be able to view any neighbouring property, surrounding public area, such as a footpath, pavement or road.
- The camera must not be remotely controlled i.e. it cannot be moved left or right or zoomed in or out using a controller.
- CCTV footage must be made available to the Police or a Havering Council member of staff if it is required to assist any investigation of crime or antisocial behaviour.
- The CCTV must be removed at the end of the tenancy and any damage to the property repaired.
To ask for approval, please reach out to your Housing Officer.