We understand that domestic CCTV systems and image recording devices, such as video doorbells, can help you feel secure in your home.
As part of our commitment to customer safety and wellbeing, we allow the installation of recording devices under specific conditions.
- You don’t need to ask permission to install domestic CCTV or a doorbell camera if you live in a house with your own front door and you record only within the boundary of your property.
- We won’t allow use of cameras that overlook or record audio in communal areas, your neighbours, their property or other public land, outside of exceptional circumstances.
This guidance will help you to understand these conditions and what you should consider to avoid breaking the law or the terms of your contract with us.
- To enhance the security of your home
- To deter and detect anti-social behaviour (ASB) and crime
- To monitor visitors and deliveries
- Placement: Install cameras to cover only your property (such as your front door, driveway, or garden). Avoid pointing cameras at public areas, neighbours’ homes or placing them where they're likely to pick up audio outside of your property.
- Signage: Display clear signs indicating that CCTV is in operation. This helps inform visitors and neighbours that they're being recorded.
- Quality: Use high-quality equipment to ensure clear images, which can be useful in case of incidents.
- Communication: Where possible speak to your neighbours, let them know why and when you plan on installing CCTV. This will reassure and let them understand what you're doing.
- Access: Limit access to the footage to authorised individuals only. Don't share footage publicly or on social media as this will make you a data controller and open to the risk of prosecution by the regulator – the UK Information Commissioners Office (ICO).
- Storage: Store footage securely and for a limited time. Regularly delete old footage to comply with data protection regulations.
- Reporting: If your CCTV captures evidence of a crime or ASB, report it to the relevant authorities and provide the footage as needed.
This guidance applies to domestic CCTV only. If your camera picks up images or audio outside the boundary of your property, it's no longer considered in law as ‘domestic use’.
This means you're not exempt from the Data Protection Act 2018 and would need to comply with General Data Protection Legislation (GDPR). This includes registering as a Data Controller and complying with the specific terms of the ICO. You would need to evidence strong justification to use non-domestic cameras, both to SNG and to the ICO.
Make sure your cameras don't infringe on the privacy of others. Avoid positioning cameras where they can capture images of neighbours' properties or shared spaces. You’ll need to think about:
- Where your camera(s) are installed
- Who the CCTV will record, including audio
- Any other community impact
- Alternative solutions if cameras aren't appropriate
If your private CCTV system/doorbell camera aggravates a neighbour dispute or provokes allegations of nuisance, annoyance or harassment, we may request that the CCTV system/doorbell camera is removed.
If we ask you to removed it and you refuse, this could result in legal action against you if removal is considered reasonable and proportionate.
Depending on the specific circumstances, the domestic use of CCTV could be challenged if its use amounted to harassment under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.
In exceptional circumstances, we may allow installation of recording devices in properties that share communal areas - for a specified time. This would be subject to an internal review to determine if it would be reasonable to authorise or gift a camera. We won’t usually supply CCTV or recording devices for personal use, but the following criteria will be considered as part of a review and in high-risk situations.
- Level of risk
- Support from the police in pursuit of crime reduction and to reduce harm
- Affordability of household
- Consultation with affected parties
- Maintenance: You should regularly check and maintain your CCTV system to make sure it's functioning correctly.
- Compliance: Stay informed about, and comply with, all relevant laws and regulations about the use of CCTV.
Here are some key contact details for the Information Commissioners Office (ICO), which regulates data protection and the use of CCTV.
- Email: casework@ico.org.uk
- Phone: 0303 123 1113
- Website: Further guidance on the use of domestic CCTV
