Use of CCTV in Rented Accommodation to Evict Tenants over Non-Contractual Rules

cono1717

Coming Summer 2016. Budget Macbeth.

lukeogorman

Thanks for that. I checked out the ICO website and read that bit myself too. It seems fairly ambiguous though. It's the use of the word "usually" that bothers me. It doesn't stipulate what constitutes as usual, and in my experience, any legislation that is deliberately left as a grey area means that it will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis, in court, where invariably the party who can afford the better solicitor wins, which in this case certainly isn't me.

I'm not sure whether I should just ignore the matter and tackle it if I am ever singled out as breaching this non-existent clause in my tenancy agreement, or try and rally the rest of the housemates into some form of preventative action before a situation occurs. It's an odd household though. We're all strangers, there are a lot of us, and we don't really socialise at all other than passing small-talk. I don't even know the names of four of the people that live in my house! Getting them onside might prove to be quite difficult and could potentially cause a backlash directed at me by the landlord.

paddyrg

Margarine tub/yogurt pot and blu-tak will soon sort out a dome camera

unholyangel

lukeogorman wrote: »

Thanks for that. I checked out the ICO website and read that bit myself too. It seems fairly ambiguous though. It's the use of the word "usually" that bothers me. It doesn't stipulate what constitutes as usual, and in my experience, any legislation that is deliberately left as a grey area means that it will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis, in court, where invariably the party who can afford the better solicitor wins, which in this case certainly isn't me.

I'm not sure whether I should just ignore the matter and tackle it if I am ever singled out as breaching this non-existent clause in my tenancy agreement, or try and rally the rest of the housemates into some form of preventative action before a situation occurs. It's an odd household though. We're all strangers, there are a lot of us, and we don't really socialise at all other than passing small-talk. I don't even know the names of four of the people that live in my house! Getting them onside might prove to be quite difficult and could potentially cause a backlash directed at me by the landlord.

The reference to usually could be down to very very limited circumstances where you may be justified in recording/processing personal data without their knowledge or consent (such as police conducting surveillance).

Given the landlord can choose to not renew the tenancy, there really is little point in taking anything to court at this point. But no harm in speaking to the other flatmates to get their views on it. I'd perhaps also enquire about a copy of their privacy policy since you weren't made aware they would be collecting your data via cctv - let alone how it would be used. That way should it ever come to anything, you at least have it post-dated in writing and may help your case if your landlord is using it to spy rather than legitimate reasons.

G_M

The set up, not to mention the thread, leaves me with so much to say I don't know where to start.

Instead: :silenced:

daytona0

I'll give you credit.... you come across as very intelligent and knowledgeable!

I would also have a look at your tenancy agreement as I would expect that, like any other normal tenancy agreement, you should be allowed to have the occasional guest stay over from time to time!

As a practical solution but I would, as a young student (not now because I'm too old!), track down this CCTV and query the reason why a piece of paper was cellotaped over the camera every couple of days....

Of all the things which happened in my old student flats (not by me), bringing a girl back a few nights a week was the least of the landlord's problems....

hollydays

The only problem with putting tape over the camera is you'd be filmed doing it.

m0bov

hollydays wrote: »

The only problem with putting tape over the camera is you'd be filmed doing it.

So? What's the worst that can happen?

agrinnall

m0bov wrote: »

So? What's the worst that can happen?

Shot down by the machine guns that were installed at the same time as the CCTV?

paddyrg

Also, 'silly string' can make a camera less effective ;-)