My neighbour opposite has got a Ring doorbell - how can I ensure I'm not being filmed?
I know it may sound like we are being paranoid, but we don't know him well and don't like the idea of being filmed, particularly as we have young children.
We feel the doorbell is compromising our privacy, particularly as our living room and master bedroom look out over the road and both have big bay windows.
Can we complain and how can we ensure we are not being filmed?
Ed Magnus of This is Money replies: It's often impossible to avoid feeling overlooked by neighbours in an urban setting, but with tech gadgets being increasingly used these days it can start to feel like your home is under surveillance.
Many people are now installing smart doorbells, which allow them to see who is outside their property, whether they are at home or not.
Your neighbour is unlikely to pay any attention to the recordings, unless something happens which means they need to.
But even if they are, most Ring doorbells only record when activated by motion or a linked device, and typically for no more than one minute at a time.
The reality is, your neighbour is within their rights to install a Ring doorbell on their property.
If you're worried, it may be worth discussing the matter with your neighbour. Be polite rather than confrontational and point out that it's making you feel uncomfortable.
For expert advice we spoke to Scarlett Doyle, a solicitor in RWK Goodman's property disputes team and Karolina Kupczyk, a partner specialising in dispute resolution at Hodge Jones & Allen Solicitors.
Ring was contacted for comment.
Scarlett Doyle replies: Everyone should feel safe and comfortable in their own home, and with Ring and similar companies increasing in popularity and sales, it will be interesting to see how the courts balance the privacy of third parties against the homeowners' desire to protect themselves and their property.
The right of protection extends to your neighbour, too, and it might be they are simply taking measures to protect their home and those in it.
Guidance from the Information Commissioner's Office reminds people of the rules they need to follow when capturing images or audio recordings outside their property boundary.
Cameras should be in positions that only capture their own property. Where someone else's property is captured, data protection law applies.
This means you have the right to request a copy of this footage, because the footage can capture images and voices of other people, which counts as personal information.
Firstly, consider the distance between your property and your neighbour's camera.
Ring suggests its doorbells have a maximum motion detection range of 30 feet.
If your neighbour's camera is across the street, it may be you are out of range entirely.
As to how you can ensure you are not being filmed and assuming your property falls within the range, as a first step I would suggest approaching your neighbour and expressing your concerns.
You could ask if they would mind sharing recent 'motion detected' notifications they have received – they may be able to instantly put your mind at rest by showing you and your family are not detected on footage while going about your daily life.
But if your neighbour refuses to share a copy of the footage, or you review the footage and you are concerned with the content, seek legal advice for further support to help facilitate complaints and next steps.
Karolina Kupczyk replies: It is understandable that it is concerning when people feel they might be watched.
While security is important, it should not come at the expense of your privacy. You have the right to peaceful enjoyment of your home, and the law does provide protection.
Depending on the model, a doorbell camera has a range within which it can record video and often audio.
Those recordings can be captured 24/7 or triggered by a motion for a period of time.
Installation of such a device by your neighbour within the vicinity of your home can create various risks including invasion of privacy and data misuse – as the recordings might be stored and shared without your knowledge or consent.
A CCTV system capturing footage beyond the boundary of a private domestic property triggers duties under General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018 legislation.
Those include ensuring that the use of the camera is proportionate and not excessive.
Further duties include transparency (e.g. signs), clear purpose, and ensuring the footage is stored securely and not kept longer than necessary.
Regulating and enforcing of this legislation is within the competences of the ICO.
Please note this information is provided for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice.
What can you do?
Karolina Kupczyk replies: Unfortunately, those situations can cause tensions with neighbours and an appropriate approach should be considered, taking into account individual circumstances.
You may also consider installing a privacy screen or trellis if appropriate, to obscure the camera's view without being confrontational.
If you are worried your property is covered by the camera and you are being recorded, the suggestion would be to have a friendly chat with your neighbour to assess the area that the camera covers and the footage it records.
Taking a balanced approach first will usually avoid a lasting conflict and it should normally be possible to adjust the coverage of the device to ensure certain areas are not captured.
If this is not possible or the neighbour refuses to cooperate you may submit a Subject Access Request (SAR) for copies of any footage that includes you or your property.
SARs should be made in writing and include enough detail to identify the footage (e.g. time and date). A template can be found on the ICO's website. Your neighbour has one month to respond.
If the issue cannot be resolved informally, you can complain to the ICO especially if the neighbour refuses to respond to your SAR or won't adjust excessive recording.
You may also contact your local council which may help with neighbour disputes.
If the problem is not resolved, especially if the surveillance is persistent, intrusive, or being used in a harassing way, please consider seeking legal advice.
How to find a new mortgage
Borrowers who need a mortgage because their current fixed rate deal is ending, or they are buying a home, should explore their options as soon as possible.
Buy-to-let landlords should also act as soon as they can.
Quick mortgage finder links with This is Money's partner L&C
> Mortgage rates calculator
> Find the right mortgage for you
What if I need to remortgage?
Borrowers should compare rates, speak to a mortgage broker and be prepared to act.
Homeowners can lock in to a new deal six to nine months in advance, often with no obligation to take it.
Most mortgage deals allow fees to be added to the loan and only be charged when it is taken out. This means borrowers can secure a rate without paying expensive arrangement fees.
Keep in mind that by doing this and not clearing the fee on completion, interest will be paid on the fee amount over the entire term of the loan, so this may not be the best option for everyone.
What if I am buying a home?
Those with home purchases agreed should also aim to secure rates as soon as possible, so they know exactly what their monthly payments will be.
Buyers should avoid overstretching and be aware that house prices may fall, as higher mortgage rates limit people's borrowing ability and buying power.
What about buy-to-let landlords
Buy-to-let landlords with interest-only mortgages will see a greater jump in monthly costs than homeowners on residential mortgages.
This makes remortgaging in plenty of time essential and our partner L&C can help with buy-to-let mortgages too.
How to compare mortgage costs
The best way to compare mortgage costs and find the right deal for you is to speak to a broker.
This is Money has a long-standing partnership with fee-free broker L&C, to provide you with fee-free expert mortgage advice.
Interested in seeing today's best mortgage rates? Use This is Money and L&Cs best mortgage rates calculator to show deals matching your home value, mortgage size, term and fixed rate needs.
If you're ready to find your next mortgage, why not use L&C's online Mortgage Finder. It will search 1,000's of deals from more than 90 different lenders to discover the best deal for you.
> Find your best mortgage deal with This is Money and L&C
Be aware that rates can change quickly, however, and so if you need a mortgage or want to compare rates, speak to L&C as soon as possible, so they can help you find the right mortgage for you.
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