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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Cleaners take video clips in my house without my knowledge or permission

39 replies

turnedworm · 14/12/2019 12:15

AIBU - I use a contract cleaning company as I am an Aurbnb host. This week new cleaners came in & there has been a disagreement over the quality of the cleaning and who actually turned up to do the work. The company boss has now sent ‘proof’ video footage of ‘clutter’ and of my business that I run downstairs from home (which involves my original designs not shared yet) - taken in my house - without my permission. The cleaners are primarily here only to do the Airbnb cleaning which is up stairs, But I do ask that they clean the floors downstairs & whatever else they can if time permits.

Am I being unreasonable for being angry at this massive invasion of my privacy?

OP posts:
TheQueef · 14/12/2019 12:17

If they are using it to verify attendance it's tricky so based on the YABSlightlyU

babycatcher411 · 14/12/2019 12:20

What actually are the video clips of? Something personal to the cleaner (ie snapchat videos) which happen to show the house, or are they take as ‘evidence’ to show the work completed?

DianaT1969 · 14/12/2019 12:24

They aren't posting these videos anywhere? Just sharing them with the client as proof of condition and their staff attendance? That seems reasonable. I doubt they realise your designs are proprietary with release dates. So tell them that in writing, perhaps with a non-disclosure contract, the same as you would for anyone working for you - strictly no images or videos to be taken of your designs.

housesearching · 14/12/2019 12:25

I'm not sure what basis you have for requiring permission legally.

OverByYer · 14/12/2019 12:29

They’ve only done it as you are in dispute with them over what they do. Don’t really see what your problem is. If they were showing then on Facebook might be different

Election2019 · 14/12/2019 12:29

I really wouldn’t like this but I suspect it’s quite legal for them for to do so. It’s a bit like delivery drivers photographing parcels they have left outside houses as evidence that they have delivered.

If they have photographed rooms they shouldn’t be in, then that is a different matter but it doesn’t sound like they are doing it for any reason other than to back up the state of a property when they arrived and they probably take the same pictures when they leave to show they have done the required work.

Original poster
turnedworm · 14/12/2019 12:45

I think the cleaning company makes them prove they went to the house. Which is worrying in itself.
My ring doorbell showed they did not put the time in & recorded only 1 person entering & leaving.
I did not know that the cleaners record footage in my house and I only found out when I queried whether two of them had come to do the cleaning.
I do not see howanyone can take footage inside someone else’s house without their permission and share it - Data Protection? What happens to it? Who is it shared with?
What if it was shared with a burglar? They would know what is in my house and the layout.
Incidentally - These two cleaners also left my key safe unlocked

OP posts:
Jaxhog · 14/12/2019 12:47

I suspect they are fine to take pictures of where they usually clean, but not of your business areas if they don't have access. Bit cheeky though.

Bit puzzled by the question of who did the cleaning. Are they saying a different person was there? Or they substituted for the person they were supposed to send and didn't tell you? More info, please.

Jaxhog · 14/12/2019 12:50

X posted. I would change the locks and sack the company. You don't trust them, so don't let them come back. And ask them to destroy all footage they have and confirm they've done so in writing.

housesearching · 14/12/2019 12:56

It's not data protection unless the video identifies you or another resident in some way. If she is storing it with your contact details attached for example, this then falls into DP in terms of her having responsibility as a data controller. But they have legitimate interests in doing so or could include as part of their contract. But the video in isolation won't be DP. I don't think the process by itself is illegal, but could fall into a legal issue depending on how it is handled.

If it's part of their business process, it's best to use somebody else I imagine.

housesearching · 14/12/2019 12:57

Sorry blatant sexism from me assuming cleaner is female, ours is male!!

MaeveDidIt · 14/12/2019 12:59

YANBU at all. You're quite right it is a total invasion of your privacy and could as you have rightly pointed out have devasting consequences. You don't know these people from Adam and who they mix with. I would be seriously pissed-off.

Mummyoflittledragon · 14/12/2019 13:01

They left the key safe unlocked. That’s pretty serious tbh. As for the filming you can ask them not to do so in the future and to delete any footage.

churchandstate · 14/12/2019 13:04

It’s not data, really. Doesn’t fall under data protection.

Bluntness100 · 14/12/2019 13:06

Were you complaining and they used it to prove you were being unreasonable? I don't see how it's an invasion of your privacy if only you and them see it, they have seen the clutter anyway for real.

messolini9 · 14/12/2019 13:14
  1. Change locks, including key safe locks.
  2. Inform Company that your digital record proves My ring doorbell showed they did not put the time in & recorded only 1 person entering & leaving
  3. Tell Company of your surprise & concern that they are videoing without your knowledge / videoing confidential business infomation - but be careful here: is their 'right' (?) to video hidden away in T&C's that you may have missed? If you are certain it is not, go in hard on this one.
  4. Request that all footage is destroyed & that they confirm this in writing.
  5. Once you have their acknowledgement, sack them. You can do this without penalty or notice period, given (2) above.
  6. Hire a replacement Company or recruit a trustworthy individual.
DontDribbleOnTheCarpet · 14/12/2019 13:17

The key safe alone would be enough for me. Do you suspect that they are charging for two people but only sending one, is that the main problem? I wouldn't be wild about the filming either.

I'd be looking for another company, or employing a cleaner myself.

DCOkeford · 14/12/2019 13:25

No, YANBU at all OP.

The law states that to record images (still or moving) on private land, you have to have permission of the landowner.

Lots of people are unaware of this - as evidenced by the thread!. You are well within your rights to ask anyone to delete footage shot on your land without permission (inc. people taking photos of your front door)

DCOkeford · 14/12/2019 13:27

is their 'right' (?) to video hidden away in T&C's that you may have missed?

Even if it were, it would have no standing in law - a contract cannot reduce a person's statutory rights, only add to them.

DianaT1969 · 14/12/2019 13:41

Am I right in thinking that you have a stream of Airbnb strangers at the property, who could be taking photos and video in there?

WhenOneDoorClosesAnotherOpens · 14/12/2019 13:55

DianaT1969 Sat 14-Dec-19 13:41:09 Am I right in thinking that you have a stream of Airbnb strangers at the property, who could be taking photos and video in there?

This is what I was thinking OP. No I wouldn't like someone taking photos of my private things inside my home, but then you knowingly have strangers coming into your home apparently with access to your private things. Who knows how many of the Airbnb guests have takens photos and posted them who knows where. Even without photos anyone with access to your home could tell a burgler 'OP has nice X in Y location and here's the best way to get into the house.'

If you're unhappy with your cleaners then fire them and hire another company. Change your locks because the old cleaners will still know where you hide your key and may have a copy you don't know about. But between the cleaners and the Airbnb guests I'm not sure how you will control who takes photos in your home.

Original poster
turnedworm · 14/12/2019 13:57

No - you’re not right - the two areas are separated - and all doors lockable. Airbnb Guest can and do take photographs of the Airbnb room but that is already on Airbnb as are all the other Airbnb areas which is as I’ve already said are different to my own private areas where I carry out my work and where Airbnb guests do not have access to.

OP posts:
Original poster
turnedworm · 14/12/2019 14:00

.... and any workman could be videoing the contents of your knicker drawer...and doing god knows what with it.
so that’s alright too then!
Not.

OP posts:
Original poster
turnedworm · 14/12/2019 14:03

Nope. They had already done it - without knowledge or permission.
I invited the cleaning company boss to come and look at my house as, as far as I was aware, she has not been here. she said there was no need to as she has already seen it - via the clips!!
I still think it’s a complete cheek!!

OP posts:
Original poster
turnedworm · 14/12/2019 14:09

Thank you! Agreed - common sense tells me I cannot imagine that it is legal to come into someone’s house and film without their knowledge permission and to then further share that film without their knowledge or permission!

OP posts: