Home CCTV and video doorbells: what UK law says

The short answer

Home CCTV is legal. If cameras only capture images within your own property boundary, including your garden, UK data protection law does not apply to you. If they capture images beyond your boundary, such as neighbours' homes or gardens, shared spaces or the street, the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 apply (GOV.UK). Recording beyond your boundary is not itself a breach, but it means you must follow the rules (ICO).

If your cameras see beyond your boundary

The ICO's guidance says you should, among other things:

• have a clear and justifiable reason for capturing those images, and be able to explain it;
• tell people you are recording, usually with signs;
• not capture or keep more footage than you need;
• keep footage secure and delete it when no longer needed;
• respond to people who ask for footage of themselves or object to being recorded.

See the ICO's guidance for people using domestic CCTV for the full list.

Video doorbells count too

A doorbell camera facing a pavement or a neighbour's door is treated the same way as any other fixed camera. Audio recording deserves extra thought, because doorbells can pick up conversations well beyond your door.

How we design camera systems

• Position for purpose. Cover entrances, driveways and vulnerable areas of your property, not the street.
• Privacy masking. Many cameras can black out parts of the image, such as a neighbour's window or the pavement.
• Audio off by default on external cameras unless there is a clear reason.
• Local recording to a recorder in your home, with sensible retention, rather than relying only on cloud storage.
• Secure access with strong passwords, two-factor authentication where available and separate user accounts.

Talk to your neighbours

The ICO suggests that most disputes are best resolved by talking. Explaining what your cameras cover, and showing that you have masked their property, prevents most complaints.

Businesses are different

The domestic rules above are for homes. Businesses using CCTV usually need to pay the ICO data protection fee and meet wider obligations. See our business CCTV guide.

This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Common questions

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Related services

Sources

• ICO: Domestic CCTV systems
• ICO: Guidance for people using domestic CCTV
• GOV.UK: Domestic CCTV, using CCTV systems on your property

Last reviewed 1 November 2026. Prices ex. VAT unless stated.