Threatening and Abusive Tenant – Can I wear a camera?
4:24 PM, 11th January 2017, 9 years ago
18
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I have been a Landlord for best part of 16 years and to date I have not had any tenant who has used foul language.
However, I have taken a tenant only 4 months ago who has sworn at me unprovoked. Without going into too much details can I wear “Body-Worn Camera” to protect me against any false accusations and for evidence purposes for future visits at my rented property?
Any input will be greatly appreciated.
Regards
Simon
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Member Since February 2011 - Comments: 3453 - Articles: 286
4:30 PM, 11th January 2017, About 9 years ago
Hi Simon,
Sorry to hear of your situation.
I know motorcyclists, car and lorry drivers use cameras or Go Pros all the time and some insurance companies insist on it I think so it is not illegal on the public highway.
However, is this circumstance considered an invasion of privacy? I don’t know.
Member Since April 2014 - Comments: 163
11:42 PM, 11th January 2017, About 9 years ago
If you have cctv on your premises I am told you need a sign warning people they are being filmed. I think this would apply in this situation – similar to telling people if you are about to record the telephone conversation.
Member Since April 2014 - Comments: 32
9:49 AM, 12th January 2017, About 9 years ago
Thinking of the way Sam Allardyce was filmed and recorded I see no reason why you should not wear a camera but if I was in your position I would use a small hidden one
Member Since July 2014 - Comments: 121 - Articles: 1
10:04 AM, 12th January 2017, About 9 years ago
You can do it….and if you think about it the media and other agencies do it quite frequently.Private investigators… also do it for things like insurance fraud and such like…..”bad back “people caught mowing the lawn…digging their own garden..that kind of thing…whilst claiming to be incapacitated.
What you cant do is secretly install a fixed camera somewhere to monitor/surveil…..in these circs that would be dubious…thats a different ball game.
Its also quite common these days for the police to pursue offenders for crimes caught on mobile phone cameras by ordinary members of the public…so there is in fact plenty of precedent. Also going back to your body worn camera.. if it has a sound facility Id use it. Cheers.
Member Since August 2016 - Comments: 1190
10:31 AM, 12th January 2017, About 9 years ago
If watch TV programmes such as Can’t Pay We’ll Take It Away the bailiffs use body cameras all the time. However they are a fair size, strapped to the chest and flash red when recording so the person being filmed is fully aware a camera is present. A Go Pro like this is going to be quite expensive though. If it was me I would purchase a small recording device such as something that looks like a pen that you slip in your top pocket and record covertly. (I’m guessing the Audio us more important to you than picture quality). Remember Andrew Mitchell MP he used something similar when he attended a meeting with the Police and proved they were telling a complete pack of lies. These are quite cheap and plenty to choose from on Amazon.
Member Since September 2014 - Comments: 277
9:23 PM, 12th January 2017, About 9 years ago
Evict!
Member Since May 2016 - Comments: 1570 - Articles: 16
11:13 PM, 12th January 2017, About 9 years ago
Reply to the comment left by “Dylan Morris” at “12/01/2017 – 10:31“:
I saw one advertised in Maplin, video and audio records ( can’t speak for quality ) with 4 gb memory, which is a ( working ) pen !
was thinking of getting one myself. They’re only 14 quid !
Member Since October 2015 - Comments: 148 - Articles: 1
1:20 AM, 13th January 2017, About 9 years ago
I think you need to tell them they are being filmed, that’s all. That will have two benefits. 1. They are likely to behave; 2. You will be able to use your evidence if they don’t.
Can’t see the point of covert filming. You may have trouble using it as evidence.
Member Since July 2014 - Comments: 121 - Articles: 1
8:37 AM, 13th January 2017, About 9 years ago
Reply to the comment left by “Rachel Hodge” at “13/01/2017 – 01:20“:
There is no requirement to tell someone they are being filmed in the circumstances as described.
Member Since October 2015 - Comments: 148 - Articles: 1
8:46 AM, 13th January 2017, About 9 years ago
Reply to the comment left by “michael fickling” at “13/01/2017 – 08:37“:
I disagree. Even if it’s not clear in law, it’s certainly a good idea to tell them, for the reasons I’ve given.
Here’s a legal opinion which back that up from http://www.acitylawfirm.com/recorded-conversations/
“Between two private individuals it is not prohibited to record conversations. The problem arises however if that conversation is then provided to a third party for whatever reason, without the consent of both parties. Consent can be obtained retrospectively or argued to be within the public’s interest.”