Can my neighbour have CCTV pointing at my house in the UK?

With more homeowners having CCTV installation in London and across the UK, disputes sometimes arise between neighbours. One of the most common concerns is:

👉 “Can my neighbour legally point their CCTV camera at my house?”

The answer is yes, but only under certain conditions. Let’s look at what the law says and what you can do if you’re worried about your privacy.

Is It Legal for a Neighbour’s CCTV to Film My Property?

If your neighbour’s cameras only capture footage within their own boundary (garden, driveway, entrance), they are free to use CCTV without extra legal obligations.

However, if their CCTV records beyond their property — for example, into your garden, driveway, or windows — it falls under the UK GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

This means they must:

• Have a valid reason for capturing outside areas (e.g., protecting their property).
• Inform you and others with clear CCTV warning signs.
• Avoid excessive intrusion, such as pointing directly into your windows.
• Keep recordings secure and delete them when no longer needed.
• Provide access if you request footage that includes you.

What If I Feel My Privacy Is Being Invaded?

If you believe your neighbour’s CCTV is unreasonably invading your privacy:

• Speak to your neighbour first – Often, a friendly conversation resolves concerns quickly.
• Check if signage is displayed – If they don’t have warning signs, they may already be breaking the law.
• Submit a Subject Access Request (SAR) – You are entitled to see any footage of yourself that’s been recorded.
• Contact the ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office) – If your neighbour refuses to cooperate or breaches data protection law, you can raise a complaint.
• Seek legal advice – For serious disputes, a solicitor may help protect your privacy rights.

How to Avoid CCTV Disputes with Neighbours

If you’re planning to install CCTV yourself, here are some best practices to stay compliant and neighbour-friendly:

• Position cameras to cover your own property only where possible.
• Use privacy masking features to block neighbouring areas from being recorded.
• Install visible CCTV signs to reassure others that recording is in place.
• Be transparent – let neighbours know if cameras might capture shared or public spaces.

Nexo Security – Professional CCTV Installation in the UK

At Nexo Security, we design and install CCTV systems that balance security and privacy. Our experts make sure your cameras are:

✔️ Correctly positioned to protect your property
✔️ Compliant with UK privacy and data protection laws
✔️ Installed with privacy masking where needed
✔️ Easy to use with mobile app access

📞 Contact us today for a free CCTV consultation and let us secure your property the right way.