This article is about neighbours and CCTV camera privacy in NSW. It covers the residential security cameras laws, whether it’s a crime to record footage on security cameras and what can be done if a neighbour is pointing a security camera at your lot. It may just be as simple as planting a tree.
Introduction to Residential Security Cameras Laws
We recently reported about an NCAT case in which a lot owner was ordered to remove CCTV cameras she unlawfully installed on the common property of a strata building in breach of the by-laws and strata laws.
But what happens when a next door neighbour whose property is not part of your strata scheme (and who is not bound by by-laws and strata laws) installs a CCTV camera that peers into your home?
What can you do about that?
Is there a right to privacy?
There is no general right to privacy recognised by the common law.i This means that, under the common law, a person is not able to accuse their neighbour of infringing their privacy or insist on their neighbour removing a CCTV camera to restore their privacy.
Is there a trespass?
The laws of trespass can be used to prevent a person from entering, or in other ways trespassing on, the land of another person, including by trespassing into someone’s apartment. But the installation of a CCTV camera on a neighbouring property is not a trespass.
Is there a nuisance?
The common law of nuisance does not prevent a person from overlooking another’s home or taking photographs of another person.ii This means that a person cannot argue that their neighbour is committing a legal nuisance by pointing a CCTV camera at their apartment.
Uncertainty in the law?
However, the better view is that there is currently no right to privacy under the common law and the law of nuisance does not prevent a person from recording the activities of their neighbour.
Residential security cameras laws
There is specific legislation that deals with surveillance devices such as CCTV cameras. This is the Surveillance Devices Act 2007.
Section 8 of that Act makes it an offence for a person to install or use an optical surveillance device such as a CCTV camera on premises, to record the carrying on of an activity, if the installation or use of the device involves entry onto premises without the consent of the owner or occupier of the premises.
In other words, section 8 of the Act makes it illegal for a person to install a CCTV camera on somebody else’s property without the consent of that other person. However, there is nothing in the Surveillance Devices Act 2007 that prevents a person from installing a CCTV camera on a property that they own or with the consent of the owner of that property and recording activities on a neighbouring property.
Is it a crime?
The Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Act 2007 makes it an offence for a person to stalk another person with the intention of causing the other person to fear physical or mental harm (see section 13). Stalking includes watching (presumably by means of a CCTV camera) a person’s place of residence.
However, it would a rare for a neighbour to install a CCTV camera with the intention of causing a person to fear physical or mental harm.
What about planning laws?
In some cases it might be possible that the installation of a CCTV camera requires some form of planning approval such as a development consent or complying development certificate. If so, it might be possible to have the camera removed by action taken through the local council, or even the Land and Environment Court, if the camera was installed without the required planning approval.
So what can be done about neighbours pointing CCTV cameras at your lot?
The most sensible approach is to approach the neighbour who has installed the CCTV camera and ask him or her to remove it or reposition it. In many cases, common sense will prevail.
If it does not, other, more creative steps would need to be taken, for example, planting trees and shrubs to screen the apartment from the view of the CCTV camera, or taking action against the neighbour if any planning laws have been contravened.
This post appears in Strata News #295.
Have a question or comment about privacy with CCTV cameras, residential security cameras laws or something to add to the article? Leave a comment below.
EmbedReferences:
- Wainwright v Home Office [2003] UKHL53
- See Bathurst City Council v Saban (1985) 2 NSWLR 704
- Australian Broadcasting Corp v Lenah Game Meats Pty Ltd (2001) 208 CLR 199; Victoria Park Racing and Recreation Ground Co Ltd v Taylor (1937) 58 CLR 479.
Read next:
- NSW: Q&A Handling a False Accusation of Privacy Breach
- NSW: CCTV – Who is Watching?
- NSW: CCTV Cameras in Strata & Community Title Schemes – Can you install a CCTV camera?
Adrian Mueller Partner + Senior Lawyer JS Mueller & Co Lawyers E. adrianmueller@muellers.com.au P: 02 9562 1266
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is provided for your personal information only. It is not meant to be legal or professional advice nor should it be used as a substitute for such advice. You should seek legal advice for your specific circumstances before relying on any information herein. Contact JS Mueller & Co for any required legal assistance.
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