Video Surveillance by Neighbors - Rules

Using a camera for video surveillance is helpful to protect your own apartment or house from crimes such as burglary, theft or vandalism. The use of a camera system to monitor the neighbors, on the other hand, is not allowed. Which rules apply here exactly, you read here.

Is video surveillance by neighbors allowed?

Cameras for video surveillance are popular to protect your own house from burglary or vandalism. However, while you are allowed to monitor your own house with a camera without any problems, using an IP camera to watch a neighbor's property is not allowed. This means that you must install your surveillance camera in such a way that it only covers your property, not your neighbor's or shared paths. In the same way, it is also forbidden for your neighbors to monitor your property by camera, as this is an invasion of your privacy and violates your personal rights.

This is what you can do if your neighbor monitors you

If one of your neighbors uses a video camera to monitor your property or house in a forbidden manner, you do not have to simply accept this.

1. Instead, you can request the neighbor to stop pointing the camera at your property or to remove it and delete previous recordings.
2. If your neighbor does not remove the camera voluntarily, you can apply for an injunction against video surveillance with the help of a lawyer.
3. Depending on the type of case, you can also receive compensation for pain and suffering or damages for the unlawful surveillance by your neighbor, for example, for incurred legal fees.