Do I need permission to put up CCTV?

In the vast majority of cases, unless your business or domestic property is listed, or you renting the property, you require no permission to install CCTV cameras in Coventry or across the Uk. There are some things you should know before you install a CCTV system, including where it’s appropriate to install it, protection laws and how your security system will operate.

CCTV operators do have certain responsibilities, and these will depend on where you plan to install your CCTV system and what type of property you’re installing it in. As a leading installer In Coventry Security Solutions If you have questions, we advise you to contact the ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office) as they are an independent regulatory body within the UK, whose responsibility it is to oversee the public interest and personal information rights.

They regulate and enforce the data laws of the UK when you intend to install a CCTV system, it’s important to remain compliant with their guidelines. Here are some common questions we get.

Can I put CCTV outside my house?

The simple answer to this question is YES, however, if your burglar alarms or CCTV system captures imagery outside the boundary of your private property such as footpaths, public streets or neighbours properties, it will be subject to specific data protection laws.

Capturing this imagery is not against the law, but it means as the operator of a CCTV system you are a registered data controller. You now have legal obligations regarding the imagery you’re capturing.

You may capture these images, but you need to protect the rights of people in the imagery and comply with all data protection laws.

In the event your CCTV systems capture imagery beyond the private boundaries of your property, you need to have a justifiable reason for doing this. Consider why you need these images and talk to someone from the ICO and detail these reasons in writing. The most important thing you need to remember is that they may consider you invading the privacy of the public pastors by our neighbours.

They may require you to do:

  • Put up signage detailing where and why you're installing a CCTV system.

  • You're not allowed to record private conversations between members of the public as they consider this an intrusion on their privacy. if there's an audio recording function on your CCTV system, disable it.

  • You need to be careful to ensure all the captured footage is subject to the purpose of the system.

  • You can only keep these images for what's considered a reasonable length of time.

  • You're only allowed operate your CCTV system in the manner you intend for example anyone else you share the property with needs to understand that misuse of the CCTV system may lead to legal consequences.

Do I need to let my neighbours know?

You are under no legal obligation to explain the installation of a CCTV camera system in your home once you know the images captured only cover your private property.

If you suspect your CCTV cameras are capturing imagery beyond the privacy of your own boundary, you need to have a good reason to do this and inform your neighbours and the ICO.

Your explanation should detail exactly why these images are important and always remains compliant with the data protection laws. All imagery captured by your CCTV system beyond its boundary is subject to data protection requests and these need to be complied with within 30 days. There are some exceptions but will need to store this footage securely and keep it as limited as possible.

Can tenants put up cameras?

While it’s perfectly legal for a landlord to install CCTV cameras to protect their premises against suspicious activity, potential break-ins or theft. Tenants can also install CCTV cameras just as long as they’re monitoring the front door of their apartment, their parking space, and the interior of their apartment. It’s advisable that if you’re installing a CCTV system in a rented property that you work with a wireless one on this little reduced the probability of your landlord complaining about any damage done.

Where can I point my cameras?

You can point your CCTV cameras anywhere within the boundaries of your private property, as long as they’re not impinging on areas where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy.

For example

  • Installing a CCTV camera facing your ground-floor windows and doors will catch any Intruders who try to enter your home through these areas. It's important to have a camera both outside and inside your home pointing at all the doors and windows both outside and inside.

  • By installing CCTV cameras in your hallway or on your main stairs, you are covering the centralized area of your property. In the event an intruder passes through to gain access to your home.

  • Another area of your home to consider installing CCTV cameras is in common areas such as the kitchen and living room

  • If you keep valuable property or cars parked in your driveway, it's probably a good idea to install a CCTV camera to protect the property and to prevent burglers from sneaking through the area to enter your property.

  • Another area you should be your backyard, this is usually the hiding place of choice for thieves, especially in areas that have overgrown landscaping.

  • Experienced burglars commonly bypass lower-level security measures, installing security cameras on second-floor windows can help protect valuables you keep upstairs such as jewellery. While placing cameras in bedrooms and bathrooms isn't always advisable for security reasons, having them facing windows may be acceptable.

  • Some people keep valuable equipment in their basement while it's not always vital if the ground level is outside of your home is covered by CCTV if there's an access point it may be worth covering.

  • Last but not least, you can install CCTV cameras in detached buildings in garages, especially if they contain valuable tools for motorized equipment. Remember that if you're operating using a Wi-Fi-based CCTV system you may need to install a range extender to ensure that your Wi-Fi link doesn't drop a new routine with a fully operational CCTV system.

If you have any questions regarding the above then feel free to contact us.

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