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Introduction
This guidance is for tenants wishing to install CCTV or any other video/audio recording device at their home and does not constitute legal advice. Any tenants or residents requiring legal information should seek independent legal advice.
Smart doorbell cameras and domestic CCTV systems are increasingly used by households to help monitor their homes and deter crime. These devices can record video and, in some cases, audio of areas immediately around a property, such as an entrance, driveway or garden, and may allow residents to view footage remotely via a smartphone or other device.
Everyone has the right to take reasonable steps to protect their home and personal safety, and smart doorbells and CCTV can be an excellent tool to provide reassurance and support crime prevention. However, because these systems may capture images or sounds beyond the boundary of the home, it is important that they are installed and used responsibly, with due regard to the privacy and rights of others.
Before you install anything
Permission
If you are a tenant of Bassetlaw District Council and the CCTV you wish to install involves electrical work or penetrating the building’s internal or external walls, you must get our prior written permission first. If you fail to notify us, you will be in breach of section 6.8 of your tenancy agreement:
Alterations (Secure Tenants only)
You have the right to carry out alterations and improvements such as installing and fitting new kitchen units. You must get our prior written permission for all alterations and improvements.
We will not unreasonably refuse permission for such improvements or changes, but we may impose conditions. You must also get any planning permission, building regulations approval or any other permission you may need before you start the work.
If you wish to install a smart doorbell, you do not need our permission but there are rules you must follow to avoid breaching data protection requirements.
Considerations
If the CCTV records beyond your property boundary, data protection law applies which you must comply with (General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018). If the way you use your CCTV isn’t compliant, legal action may be taken against you.
The Information Commission (ICO) states that you must:
- consider what area needs to be covered and what images or audio, or both, will be captured – you shouldn’t capture more than you need to;
- install signage that indicates CCTV is in operation;
- ensure the footage recorded is stored securely and is only accessible by people who need to access it;
- delete the footage regularly or automatically, or both; and
- be able to respond appropriately to a request for the footage from people who appear in it.
With this in mind, you may wish to ask yourself the following questions:
- Are there other ways I can protect my home, e.g. an alarm system or outdoor lighting?
- How can I position the camera so as not to intrude on other people’s privacy?
- Will I be able to adhere to the above rules laid out by the ICO, and to data protection laws?
The use of audio capturing is particularly intrusive, especially if your front door is in a communal area. For this reason, Bassetlaw District Council does not recommend installing systems that can capture audio. If the system does have the capability to capture audio and records beyond your property boundary, audio recording will need disabling.
Further Queries
If you need advice on dealing with a request for personal information or using home CCTV, the ICO can assist you. You can visit their website at www.ico.org.uk, or contact them on 0303 123 1113.
If you have any concerns about how a tenant of Bassetlaw District Council is using CCTV, please contact Housing Services on 0800 590 542 and request the Housing Officer for the relevant area.
Useful Resources
Last Updated on Thursday, October 15, 2026