Neighbour's CCTV or video doorbell: what about your privacy?

Your neighbours have put up a new video doorbell or security camera, and you wonder whether it also covers your front door, garden or drive. Your neighbour's CCTV pointing at your house can leave you feeling uneasy about your privacy: who can see when you come home, or who visits you? This article looks at why cameras often capture more than intended, how to raise it calmly, what you could ask for and what the rules in the UK say in general terms.

Why the camera sees more than it needs to

Most people install a camera for their own security or to keep an eye on parcels. They are rarely thinking about you. Video doorbells often have a wide-angle lens that, by default, takes in a large part of the street, the pavement and sometimes the house next door. Audio recording is often switched on by default.

Start by showing understanding

Assume your neighbours have no bad intentions. Say that you understand why they want a camera, and ask what it actually shows. For example:

"I completely understand wanting a camera for security. I was just wondering what it picks up. I have a feeling our front door and garden might be in view, and that feels a bit uncomfortable for us. Would you mind showing me what it records?"

Things you could ask for

For example:

• Angling the camera differently. A small turn can be enough to keep your door, windows or garden out of view.

• Privacy zones. Many doorbells and cameras can mask or black out parts of the image.

• Smaller motion zones. That way the camera does not start recording every time you walk past.

• Turning off audio recording. Audio can pick up conversations a surprisingly long way away, including in your garden.

Start with one point, such as a privacy zone, and ask whether you could have a quick look afterwards to check it is set up as agreed.

What the rules say in general terms

If a home camera only captures your neighbour's own property, data protection law does not usually apply. According to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), once a camera captures someone else's property, a public area such as the street, or a shared space, data protection law does apply. The owner then needs a good reason for recording, should keep it to what is necessary and must respect people's rights, for example to ask for a copy of footage of themselves.

The ICO can look into complaints, but it says it cannot make anyone remove or reposition a camera. In serious cases, people have taken claims to court, including under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. Landlords, leases and building rules may also have rules about fitting cameras. This is general information, not legal advice. For your own situation, Citizens Advice can help.

Keep a simple log

If a conversation does not help or nothing changes, keep a log: the date, what you noticed (for example the direction of the camera, or a light that comes on as you pass), what was agreed and how it affects you, such as using your garden less. Do not start filming towards your neighbours yourself, do not post about it in a local social media group and never touch or move the camera.

In practice

A camera that went too far. In a 2021 case at the County Court at Oxford, a homeowner had installed several cameras, including a video doorbell, that covered a neighbour's property. The court heard that the devices could pick up conversations well beyond the owner’s boundary. The judge found that the recordings breached data protection law and that the wider conduct amounted to harassment (source).

Not every camera is a problem. In a 2025 decision, the Housing Ombudsman looked at a tenant's complaint about a neighbour's video doorbell that recorded them entering and leaving their flat. The landlord had agreed to the doorbell because of serious anti-social behaviour, and the Ombudsman found this reasonable and proportionate (source). The lesson: there is often a genuine reason behind a camera, and adjusting the settings is usually more realistic than having it removed.

If you cannot sort it out together

Send a second, calm message that refers back to your conversation and says clearly what you are asking for. A community mediation service can then help. If the camera is on a rented home or a shared building, contact the landlord, housing association or managing agent. You can also raise a concern with the ICO. If you ever feel threatened or followed, do not get into an argument: call 101 to speak to the police, or 999 in an emergency.

A calm first message

The CalmNotes camera and privacy pack gives you editable example messages to raise a camera or video doorbell calmly, with a follow-up message if nothing changes and an Excel log. You can find more practical packs for neighbour situations in our English packs for the UK.

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