CCTV in rented flat?

abi-em-mum83

Hi we rent a flat in a building of 9, from the local council. Two of the flats are privately owned, the rest are all council tenents, Yesterday I noticed a cctv camera at the foot of the stairs, and have no idea how long its been there or who's responsibility it is! It looks like quite a pricy unit, it is the type I would normally expect to see in shops, small black semi circle type. There are absolutely no signs alerted us, and its pointed at the main stairs for the building. Its either
*the neighbour who lives on the ground floor. We have had trouble with them leaving motor bikes in communal areas that have spilled fuel and were considered a serious danger (the housing assistant also saw motorbikes being kept in the kitchen) police and fire brigade remprimanded him. Since then they have put a notice up saying they have had bikes stolen from within the building as people leave the main doors open. This camera is about 1 foot from their door, but looks onto the stairs and not their doorway.
*the council, as mentioned we have had issues of theft, as well as an ongoing problem with a tenant smoking so much weed its leaving the hallways foggy. Also 2 of the tenents have previously been done for beneift fraud. If it is the council we have had no notice that will be filming whos coming and going from the buildings.
Are either party allowed to do this? I have 2 young daughters, I am seriously angry that someone is filming our building. Fair enough in main streets, shops etc I expect a level of cctv, but there are signs signalling their use. And I have no problem with cctv of someones doorstep (i have previously bought my elderly grandmother such a device) but this is in a communal area of the building, with no signs, and I have no idea who has access to whats filmed, and for what purpose.
I am planning on caling housing assistant this morning once council opens, but if they deny all knowledge am I able to go to police?

mountainofdebt

But its added security isnt it? Why wouldn't you want that - specially as you've already admitted that there's an in going theft problem?

pulliptears

mountainofdebt wrote: »

But its added security isnt it? Why wouldn't you want that - specially as you've already admitted that there's an in going theft problem?

I agree but it is a bit naughty. There should be signs up if filming in a public area and OP will have the right to view any footage of them captured I imagine.

peachyprice

abi-em-mum83 wrote: »

I have 2 young daughters, I am seriously angry that someone is filming our building.

What is the relevance of this? Do you think a pedophile has put it there and is going to be watching your children going out of the building fully clothed?

Yes, there should be signs, but you admit there is are security and fire safety problems in the building but want to go to the police because someone is trying to do something about it?

Just ask.

abi-em-mum83

If this is council owned then Im all for it, but until I know who is in control of these images and what is being done with them I wont be happy! Im not one of these over protective mums who suspects any stranger is a peadophile, but I am concerned that at the moment some unknown person is filming my families comings and goings and I have no idea why! I strongly object to me and my children being filmed without our knowledge or consent. All public filming like this should have a noticeable warning or its against the law. And since many other council buildings have no cctv (even in areas with records of high police presence, and bigger crime concerns than our buildings, it makes me very suspicious!

fluffnutter

I vaguely understand your concerns, abi_em_mum (although I think the fact you have children is a bit irrelevant). But rather than posting on the interweb about feeling indignant why not just ask around and try to find out who's put it there and why, who has access to the data, how long it's stored for, etc.?

I'd write a list of (non-emotive!) questions and start with the council.

Oliver14

abi-em-mum83 wrote: »

I have 2 young daughters, I am seriously angry that someone is filming our building.

Do your daughters run naked through the communal areas then?

Just ask

abi-em-mum83

peachyprice wrote: »

Just ask.

I have called my housing assistant to see if its council owned, but as for asking the neighbour whos front door is adjacent to it,I would not feel safe doing this!

fluffnutter

Does your block of flats have a managing agent, abi_em_mum?

ThumbRemote

The camera will either be wired or wireless.

Wired - where do the wires go? If they've been run through the ceiling void then the camera has been well fitted, it sounds like the landlord that's had it fitted.

Wireless - the camera will probably be bigger and have a battery attached. Much more likely to be a resident that's put it up.

unholyangel

http://www.ico.gov.uk/what_we_cover/register_of_data_controllers.aspx

use the above to check and see if anyone is registered as a data controller. however its worthwhile noting that:

Q: My neighbour has installed a CCTV camera and it is pointing towards my house/garden. Is this a breach of the Data Protection Act?

If your neighbour’s camera is installed on their residential property and being used for their own personal domestic use, they are unlikely to be breaching the Data Protection Act. This is because the use of CCTV cameras for domestic security purposes is exempt from the data protection principles. This applies when a person uses CCTV to protect their home from burglary, even if the camera overlooks the street or other areas near their home. If your neighbour is using CCTV for business purposes they will need to comply with the Act. If you are concerned about the use of domestic CCTV it may be worth contacting your local police. For more information, contact our helpline or read our topic guide about CCTV.