SeramaSilly Posted January 16, 2018 Share Posted January 16, 2018 I just wondered what people's opinion is on this - We own the ground floor flat of a victorian house - our neighbours own the upstairs flat. We both have our own front doors but share a drive accessing to them both. I've just found out that they've got a camera that alerts the wife's mobile phone every time someone walks up (or walks back down!) the drive. At first I wasn't sure what I felt about it but now I feel that our privacy is being invaded. Every time we walk up the drive or have visitors come to our flat it's filmed and she is alerted. I don't want to fall out with them because generally we get on very well but I do feel uncomfortable and frankly annoyed. Am I just being silly?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeramaSilly Posted January 16, 2018 Author Share Posted January 16, 2018 Just to be clear, it films our front door not just people walking up the drive - I have an overwhelming desire to go out and make rude gestures at it but that wouldn't be very mature would it?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted January 16, 2018 Share Posted January 16, 2018 In the Netherlands you are not allowed to film other people's property. Your front door is your property. I would feel exactly the same! Can't you ask is she can point it in such a way that it only films her own front door? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted January 16, 2018 Share Posted January 16, 2018 Not sure where the law stands on this but I'd certainly agree that she has NO reason AT ALL to film YOUR front door. Perhaps ask Citizen's Advice? You could also speak to the neighbours and explain that you are not comfortable with this as you feel that it is an invasion of your privacy and ask that they move the camera to show only their property - it might not have occurred to them - doh! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted January 16, 2018 Share Posted January 16, 2018 I wouldn’t like this at all. It almost shouts stalker to me. Taking nosey neighbours to a new level. I would think your own front door was a private space and would query the legality of being recorded without your permission. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeramaSilly Posted January 16, 2018 Author Share Posted January 16, 2018 Thank you. Gosh i feel vindicated that you feel the same way - I asked my sister and she couldn't see why I was uncomfortable about the situation and it wasn't worth upsetting them about it..... but I FEEL UPSET. My parents actually thought it was a great idea because of security!! My husband isn't bothered by it but understands why I don't feel comfortable - I'm a private person. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeramaSilly Posted January 16, 2018 Author Share Posted January 16, 2018 The thing is I don't think it's possible for them just to film their own property - our flat front doors are at right-angles to each other so in order to film their property they are filming ours too and there's still the issue of being filmed walking up (and down) the drive. I hate being put in this position!! :-0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 16, 2018 Share Posted January 16, 2018 In the Netherlands you are not allowed to film other people's property. Your front door is your property. I would feel exactly the same! Can't you ask is she can point it in such a way that it only films her own front door? I understand that this is the case in the UK too; the camera may film only your property, not shared or public property, this is rarely enforced, but it is an invasion of your privacy. I only know this because we had issue with an odd person renting a room in a house up our road - he was filming the houses opposite and sending in taxis, pizza deliveries etc. Not sure how you can deal with this, but it may help to have a frank discussion with your neighbour, to ask why they have installed it, and wonder if it could be limited to their own property (which will be difficult) only. It's not worth dragging up the law at this stage, but perhaps just explain that it makes you feel uneasy, and your visitors too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeramaSilly Posted January 16, 2018 Author Share Posted January 16, 2018 Thanks Clare. I know if I ask them they're going to say for security - it was an unwanted gift to my neighbour's sister and so they're using it. They're nice people but I know they wouldn't even think we'd have a problem with it because they wouldn't if it was the other way around. I don't want to be seen to be petty but I don't like the fact that every time I come out my front door, I'm filmed and she's alerted. It's a difficult situation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 16, 2018 Share Posted January 16, 2018 It isn't easy Even if it is 'for security', it's for their security, not yours, and you really shouldn't feel that your privacy is compromised. I am sure that after a while, the novelty for her will wear off and she'll no longer check her phone each time it alerts her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted January 16, 2018 Share Posted January 16, 2018 Or ask if you can have access to the app as well since it is also filming your front door. Wouldn't be a strange suggestion and puts you back on equal ground. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 16, 2018 Share Posted January 16, 2018 Or ask if you can have access to the app as well since it is also filming your front door. Wouldn't be a strange suggestion and puts you back on equal ground. That's a great idea! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeramaSilly Posted January 16, 2018 Author Share Posted January 16, 2018 No, sorry guys but I still don't like it. I think I'm going to ask if I can speak to her tonight about it and tell her my thoughts and that we would be happy to pay for security lights to tighten up security. I've looked online and at one time CCTV on private property wasn't thought as restricting anyone's rights but now the police are considering changing the law because they have had so many complaints about invasion of people's privacy. In any event they should have told us first and they are supposed to put up a notice warning people that they are being filmed. God don't you just hate neighbour disputes!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeramaSilly Posted January 16, 2018 Author Share Posted January 16, 2018 The thing is as well they go away allllllll the time in their camper van and we're left to look after their six cats, four degus and tropical fish so I feel they should definitely have more consideration for our feelings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted January 16, 2018 Share Posted January 16, 2018 I also don’t know why being in an upstairs flight they should be so security conscious.Surely a peephole so they can see who’s at the door before opening it would be enough. It’s not as if someone is peeping in their windows. Though that is me, I am not very into house security. Doors are looked and beyond that if someone wants in they will get in. Hoping my very barky Schnauzer puts would be intruders off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted January 16, 2018 Share Posted January 16, 2018 Sophie, it's not a 'dispute' yet!!! You may be able to resolve it amicably and I hope that you do! It possibly hasn't even occurred to them that they are doing anything 'wrong' or that you may not be 100% happy with the situation. I am sure that, if you somehow get into the conversation, that you understand their point and don't wish to be awkward but you are just not happy with your door/visitors/self being filmed and your privacy invaded. There must be a compromise here somewhere - how close to your door is theirs? Can they set the camera up so that it just films their door? If so, then you are perfectly at liberty to ask them to do just that! If they realise that you are in earnest then I'm sure they will be able to resolve - after all, you are clearly helping them when it comes to their pets and their holidays! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeramaSilly Posted January 16, 2018 Author Share Posted January 16, 2018 No I know we're not in dispute Soapdragon - I'm just girding myself up to having the conversation. I know she won't understand my point of view because it wouldn't bother her. I just don't like confrontation that's all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeramaSilly Posted January 16, 2018 Author Share Posted January 16, 2018 Yes, I feel the same way Grandmothershazzle - we have a very barky JR too. I don't really think it is about security - it was free - they love gadgets and didn't think it would be a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted February 12, 2018 Share Posted February 12, 2018 My neighbour's husband installed CCTV all around their house. It infuriated her because she felt he was checking on her movements. So she used to do rude gestures and then eventually just chucked a t-shirt over the cameras wherever she is gardening. When I checked on pets I used to do a dance or wave or something daft to make them laugh if they look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrannyTrish Posted February 13, 2018 Share Posted February 13, 2018 These set out CCTV guidelines for domestic use. Always handy to have for reference. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/domestic-cctv-using-cctv-systems-on-your-property/domestic-cctv-using-cctv-systems-on-your-property https://ico.org.uk/for-the-public/cctv-on-your-property/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
