There is (understandably!) a lot of confusion around the use of domestic CCTV, including the cameras fitted in ‘Ring’ doorbells and similar systems, especially when those cameras are used by social landlord tenants, which can be compounded when the footage is used as evidence in complaints.
News stories covering cases such as Fairhurst V Woodard in October 2021, can confuse matters further. So what are the facts?
In a nutshell, if an individual uses CCTV (in a Ring doorbell or otherwise) for purely personal or household reasons, the use of the CCTV is exempt from the (UK)GDPR and Data Protection Act.
So what makes the use of CCTV “purely personal or household”?
The main criteria is that the filming must only capture areas within the home’s own boundaries. This includes the front or back of the home, including doors, a driveway, garden, or garage.
What are the risks if domestic CCTV captures footage outside the home’s boundaries?
If the CCTV is capturing any footage outside of those boundaries though – such as the pavement or someone else’s driveway, home or garden, or common areas in flats – it stops being “purely personal or household”, and the use of the CCTV is no longer exempt from the data protection legislation. This means the person who owns the CCTV becomes a Data Controller under the (UK)GDPR, with all the responsibilities this brings to comply with the law.
What is the problem with being a Data Controller?
As any Data Protection Officer will tell you, there are a lot of legal obligations to get your head around and to comply with! Breaches of the law leave you open to being fined by the ICO (in theory, but there haven’t been many GDPR fines in the UK so far) but also leave you open to being sued by other people whose privacy you’ve infringed.
In the Fairhurst V Woodard case, Mr Woodard was ordered by the court to pay £100,000 damages to his neighbour Dr Fairhurst. She had found he had several cameras recording her garden and parking space, and the court agreed with Dr Fairhurst that Mr Woodard’s use of cameras breached data protection law and amounted to harassment. You can read the BBC article on the case here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-58911296
Don’t let this scare you off using domestic CCTV or camera doorbells though – they can be a useful tool for your security, if used lawfully and securely.
The Fairhurst V Woodard case was a rare and extreme case; Mr Woodard’s cameras captured images of Dr Fairhurst’s house, almost the whole of her garden, and her parking space, plus the devices captured audio, which is even more invasive. The court also heard that Mr Woodard had continually failed to be honest with Dr Fairhurst about the devices, and that Dr Fairhurst eventually felt forced to move out of her home because of the invasion of her privacy.
In practice, many domestic CCTV systems will be filming pavements or a neighbour’s driveway, without it being on anyone’s radar or causing any problems. But if the footage is shared with the landlord to evidence alleged anti-social behaviour or misconduct by employees, people become aware of this overstepping of domestic CCTV rules, meaning it is firmly on the landlord’s radar, and could lead to complaints to the ICO, or even to court cases.
What action should Housing Associations take regarding tenants’ CCTV?
Review your CCTV Policy and your Adaptations Policy and include domestic CCTV guidance. You may want to require customers to obtain permission before mounting cameras (although be aware this could give the impression you’ll take action against unapproved cameras, which might not be practical – thanks to Janine Green for that tip). Or more likely you would allow customer to put up cameras without informing you.
Communicate with your customers and make advice on CCTV law readily available to them, so they are aware of how to use domestic CCTV within the law.
Review your ASB Policy and your Complaints Policy and check that they include guidance for colleagues who receive copies of domestic CCTV footage as evidence in an ASB case or a complaint. You can, and should, delete copies of any footage you don’t actually need as evidence. Only keep footage that you have a clear legal basis for storing and using.
Make sure you know how to handle Subject Access Requests (SARs) that include requests for CCTV footage, from your own cameras or a neighbour’s camera.
Download our FREE checklist for Domestic CCTV use, especially for Social Housing Providers.
If you have any questions, check out our upcoming training on CCTV in Social Housing (incl. domestic CCTV), drop us a line, or book in for a free 15-minute call.
We can also help you review and update your policies.
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Clare draws on over 20 years of experience in risk management and quality assurance, including 10+ years in data protection, to provide clear and practical advice and training.
Don’t tell everyone (shh!) but Clare’s favourite sector is social housing, and has worked in and with housing providers for 17 years, although she loves to support all values-led and purpose-led organisations.
Interesting article : housing association I am under allowed and issued forms to sign agreeing mounting cctv, they are now claiming tenants are in breach of their tenancy agreement by having them. Interestingly not objecting to Ring. It’s a retirement site, yet allegations made filming is occurring of visiting children, despite prove of footage camera lens is aimed purely on tenants space only. My questions are tenants not entitled to firstly protect themselves and secondly landlords property?
I live in a social housing I’ve been a victim of harassmet for over 3yrs so I put up ring cctv plus doorbell I have caught my neighbours causing crimal damage to my property on cctv the association refused to do anything infact they have ripped my Doorbell off my door, I’ve replace it now they tell me I’m in breach and the will remove again in 14 day if not removed I don’t understand these no evidence I’ve used inappropriately there’s also not one scrap of evidence I’ve done anything wrong are they allowed to take my Doorbell of without and court order.
Regards Adam Holliday