The first rule of sectional title living is that the exterior of your unit is usually considered common property. Even if you are installing a camera that only looks at your front door, you generally need written consent from the Trustees or the Body Corporate.
• The Process: Submit a formal request including a diagram of the camera’s field of vision.
• The Logic: Trustees must ensure the installation doesn’t negatively impact the aesthetic of the building and the privacy rights of other owners.
• Avoid Private Spaces: Your camera should never capture the interior of a neighbour’s unit, their balcony, or their private garden.
• Focus on Points of Entry: Aim cameras specifically at your own doorway or windows. If the camera must capture a portion of the common walkway to be effective, it should be angled to minimize the “capture” of people just passing by.
• Use Privacy Masking: Modern smart cameras allow you to “black out” specific areas of the video feed. If your camera accidentally sees into a neighbour’s window, use the software to block that specific zone permanently.
• Security: The footage must be secure. Only the owner (and perhaps the managing agent or security company in specific cases) should have access to the feed.
• Communication: A quick, friendly chat with your immediate neighbours before the drill comes out goes a long way. Explaining that the camera is angled away from their property can prevent a formal complaint before it even starts.
• No social media: Never post CCTV footage of neighbours or visitors on community WhatsApp groups or social media unless it is for a legitimate criminal investigation and has been cleared by the authorities.
• Accountability: If a neighbour claims your camera is intrusive, be prepared to show the Trustees the live feed to prove the angle of the lens.
