The Freedom of Information Act gives you the right to access official information from your local authority. If you feel that you have been unfairly treated by your housing authority, want to find out about how their housing lists work or wish to ask for any other information they may hold, you can make a Freedom of Information Request.
You have the right to find out about environmental information issues that might affect your home - for example, where flood plains are located or information about landfill sites and mobile phone masts.
Landlords and Tenants
We have published a good practice note covering disclosing information about tenants. This answers some of the more frequently asked questions from landlords about how the Data Protection Act applies to them, the information they hold about their tenants and information held on their behalf by a letting agent.
If you're a tenant, this will also provide you with some useful information about your rights.
CCTV
The use of CCTV cameras on residential properties is becoming increasingly common, which can be worrying if you feel that your privacy is being threatened.
There is an exemption for domestic or household processing of personal information, as long as this does not involve putting personal information on a website or making it available to the world at large in another way without good reason.
This means that if a CCTV camera mounted in your neighbour's property is overlooking your land, it is unlikely that they will be breaching the Data Protection Act. However, they may be breaching other legislation such as the law about harassment or voyeurism, and so may be subject to investigation by another body, such as the police.
You can find out more and read our guidance on the CCTV page.