Many residents choose to install and use doorbell cameras or small domestic CCTV systems to help them feel safer at home.

However, everyone has the right to privacy. You should use cameras in a way that respects other people’s homes and shared spaces.

If you install CCTV or a doorbell camera, you are fully responsible for how it is used, what it records and how footage is stored and shared, in line with data protection law.

Eastlight is not legally responsible for residents’ personal camera recording equipment, however, we may intervene if there are neighbour disputes or if residents need support.

  • Your responsibilities

    • Setting up your camera
    • Ensuring it is aimed correctly on your home boundary only
    • Storing footage securely and deleting footage frequently (after 30 days, for example)
    • Sharing footage only where and when absolutely necessary (for example, if the police require it as part of an investigation).

    Eastlight does not manage, view or store footage from resident-owned cameras. This is the sole responsibility of the camera owner.

  • How to position your camera

    Your camera should record your own home boundary only, such as:

    • Your front door
    • Your driveway
    • Your garden.

    If you record outside of your home boundary, you will be classed as a ‘data controller’ under data protection law. Please see this section on your responsibilities as a data controller.

  • Your camera should not record:

    • Neighbouring windows, doors or gardens
    • Shared entrances, corridors, stairwells or car parks
    • Public paths, roads or open spaces beyond your home boundary
    • Where possible, we recommend you turn off audio recording, as this be intrusive and can capture private conversations – causing possible distress.

    For more guidance from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) on home CCTV, visit: www.ico.org.uk/for-the-public/home-cctv-systems/

CCTV in Communal Areas

In most cases, Eastlight will not permit residents to install or use domestic CCTV units or doorbell cameras in communal areas.

If a camera overlooks another person’s home, a shared space or a public area, this may breach privacy and data protection law. In these situations, Eastlight may ask for the camera to be repositioned or removed.

There may be limited exceptions where permission is given. Any request for CCTV or doorbell cameras in communal areas will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

If you are unsure whether your camera is positioned correctly, or whether you are allowed to install one, please contact Eastlight for advice first, before installation.

  • Two rows of houses are facing each other with a road in the middle. Cars are parked along the road.

    Recording beyond your home boundary

    If your camera is pointed and records beyond your home boundary — for example, shared spaces or public paths — you are a data controller under UK data protection law.

    This means you must:

    • Have a clear and genuine reason for recording outside your home boundary
    • Make sure your camera only records what it needs to
    • Put up visible signage to let people know they are being recorded
    • Keep footage secure and delete them when they’re no longer needed (for example, after 30 days)
    • Avoid sharing footage publicly without a lawful reason (for example, on social media or via instant messaging services)
    • Respond properly if someone asks to see footage of themselves.

    If these rules are not followed, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) may take enforcement action. You can see more about your responsibilities on the ICO website here: www.ico.org.uk

If you have concerns about your neighbour's CCTV

Everyone has the right to enjoy their home without being unfairly recorded. 

If you think a neighbour's camera is not positioned correctly or records you or beyond their property boundary, here's what you can do.

  • 1.      Speak to your neighbour, if you feel comfortable to do so

    Many people don’t realise their camera captures more than they think. To address your concerns, you can:

    • Explain your concerns politely in person or by letter
    • Ask what their camera records, and why
    • Request to see footage of yourself
    • Ask them to reposition the camera if it captures you, your family or your home.

    You can use this letter template to contact your neighbour, if you feel uncomfortable doing so in person: click here.

    If you use this letter, please send Eastlight a copy of the letter and a brief description of your concerns.

    You may also wish to note the date and details of all conversations and contact with your neighbour for your own records.

  • 2. Contact Eastlight

    If you are not comfortable speaking to your neighbour, or your concern is not resolved, you can:

    • Contact us for advice and further guidance to resolve the dispute fairly
    • Your Neighbourhood Lead can then talk to the camera owner and check whether the camera follows our guidance and data protection law
    • We may ask the camera to be repositioned or removed if it records shared areas or neighbouring homes.

    Please note that Eastlight cannot access or manage personal CCTV footage without the camera owner’s consent.

  • 3. Contact the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)

    If you believe your personal data (such as images or sound) is being recorded unlawfully, you can raise your concerns directly to the ICO. They regulate how personal data is collected and used.

    You can make a complaint or find more information at: www.ico.org.uk/

Contact us

If you have questions about domestic CCTV, doorbell cameras or this guidance page, please get in touch.

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