A lot of people want to know whether they need a licence for home CCTV systems, or whether one can be operated without the use of such a licence. The good news is no such licence exists, so you can install your own system to protect your property without needing to apply for something of this nature.
However, there are things you should bear in mind before you install a CCTV system at home. You are entitled to take reasonable steps to protect your property from criminals, and CCTV cameras are included in this. You should note, however, that the Surveillance Camera Commissioner provides advice on how such systems should be used. As per the official Government website, people with CCTV systems “should operate them in a responsible way to respect the privacy of others.”
What does this mean in practice?
While you don’t need a licence for home CCTV, you do need to make sure you are not infringing on the privacy of any other individual. For instance, your camera should be angled to provide an image of your own property. It should not be positioned to overlook your neighbour’s property. Furthermore, when installing and positioning your camera, you should ensure it does not overlook the street or pavement beyond.
If you have a camera fixed to the rear wall of your property to monitor the rear entrance, you should ensure it doesn’t take in anything above the level of the fence. For instance, you might inadvertently position your camera so that it can view the rear window of someone else’s property. That would infringe their privacy, so it is very important to make sure this doesn’t occur.
Professional installation will ensure you do not fall foul of the law
The right to privacy is just as important as the right to protect what is yours. If you are unsure where to position your cameras, the best course of action is to hire someone to provide the CCTV kit you need or install the one you’ve purchased. They will be experienced in the installation process, not to mention knowing where you stand according to the law.
It’s good to know you do not need a licence for home CCTV. However, while respecting the privacy of others is very important, the security and privacy elements you need to be aware of are largely down to common sense.
