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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think someone has just tried to sell me an illegal photo?

67 replies

Llamasally · 03/12/2021 15:29

Hands full on the drive getting the kids out of the car, a blue Citroen (?) pulled up and a guy gets out and starts showing me aerial photos of our house and garden, with some frames tucked in at the back. He got straight to showing me the images without introducing himself, professing what great quality they were.

I told him I couldn’t look now as I was busy with the children - trying to get very tired baby and toddler inside for a nap. He could see I had my hands full, my toddler started to cry but continued and was really quite pushy that I look at the pictures. I asked if he was here to sell them, while taking DS towards the house, he said yes. I told him not interested and like a bloody idiot to try to make him go away, asked if he had a business card in case my husband was interested. Strangely he had no business card, his explanation being ‘it’s just a little hobby, we don’t have offices or anything’. Very pushy for a hobby. I asked how do we contact you if we want one, could he just write down his number? No. But he would come again in the next week. I was being pretty short with him by this point and said we’re not likely to be in.

I was caught off guard and feel so annoyed at myself - for trying to be bloody polite and not just telling him to get off my drive. For not taking a photo of the car/reg plate and confronting him.

All that aside, the reason for my post is that I’m pretty sure you’re not allowed to take photos of someone’s private property including e.g. their garden without their permission?? Anyone who has any knowledge of this area /privacy law I’d really appreciate your advice as I’m sure he will be back. I’ve locked the doors now that we are inside, I’m home alone today and he’s made me feel uncomfortable.

OP posts:
mindutopia · 03/12/2021 15:32

This is a pretty common thing. I don't know about the legality, but I can't imagine it's illegal to take photos of other people's houses (or else most of us would be in trouble). But this has been happening for years and years. Dh's family has aerial photos of their house that some salesman came door-to-door to sell them like 20+ years ago.

icedcoffees · 03/12/2021 15:34

It's not illegal to take photos in a public place, no.

PeachesPumpkin · 03/12/2021 15:34

We had one a few years ago. I tried to haggle him down in price but it didn’t work and I didn’t get one in the end. I kind of regret it now - I quite liked the photo.

Mybalconyiscracking · 03/12/2021 15:37

We have this argument with the residents of a local Stately Home near our church. They get stressed with people taking wedding photos in front of it , but there is nothing to be done.

Akire · 03/12/2021 15:37

The no number or business card would put me off surely genuine person would have these all rather odd. Suppose it would even cash only?

nitsandwormsdodger · 03/12/2021 15:38

This was a thing 20 years ago my parent bought one and I still have it, but I hate that type of salesman and I always kick myself for being polite

OldTinHat · 03/12/2021 15:39

I had a guy knock on my door about 20yrs ago selling the same thing. I bought them and still have them even though I don't live in that house anymore! No idea who the guy was!

AnotherForumUser · 03/12/2021 15:40

No it isn't illegal.

MaryAndGerryLivingInDerry · 03/12/2021 15:41

I’m pretty sure you’re not allowed to take photos of someone’s private property including e.g. their garden without their permission?

Grin have you heard of google street view?

Llamasally · 03/12/2021 15:42

Hm ok, I might just look into it. I’d have thought photos of a private enclosed garden are not ok…

OP posts:
PriamFarrl · 03/12/2021 15:44

Used to happen all the time at my parents house.
They have at least one of the pictures on the wall.
There is a small aircraft airport near them and on sunny days the sky is full of private planes. People would photograph the houses and sell the pictures as a hobby really.

SirensofTitan · 03/12/2021 15:44

You really think you need to have permission to take a picture of someone's house Shock

Think about that a little, you really don't need to be a lawyer to see that couldn't possibly be true.

Taking aerial photos and selling them is a totally normal thing to do, yes, the guy was a rubbish salesman and misjudged the situation but locking yourself in the house is a bit OTT

My parents have one of those photos taken a few years ago, when my children were younger they loved to look at it and spot the house.

D00r2D00r2 · 03/12/2021 15:47

I purchased one of these framed aerial photos 20+ years ago via a door step seller.

I guess these are even easier to create now with the invention of the Google 🌎 earth & a home printer

Chemenger · 03/12/2021 15:50

It’s not illegal, otherwise Google would be in a lot of trouble with Street View and Google Earth. We have one of there pictures and so do my parents.

Llamasally · 03/12/2021 15:52

I stand corrected 🤷‍♀️ I guess I just felt uncomfortable

OP posts:
Lockheart · 03/12/2021 15:52

You've heard of Google earth right?

Bettybantz · 03/12/2021 15:53

It’s not illegal as long as you don’t trespass onto private land to take the picture

ResentfulAF · 03/12/2021 15:55

I think there is some legal issue around using drones to take photos though...something about how low they can fly or flying over residential areas or something?

icedcoffees · 03/12/2021 15:55

@Llamasally

Hm ok, I might just look into it. I’d have thought photos of a private enclosed garden are not ok…
What do you think Google Earth takes photos of?
Rachellow · 03/12/2021 15:55

Every Irish farm seems to have one of those! It’s effectively better quality google street view

NoBetterthanSheShouldBe · 03/12/2021 15:56

There are regulations banning drones from flying in residential areas register-drones.caa.co.uk/drone-code/where-you-can-fly if that is how they are taking photos they may well be illegal.

NoBetterthanSheShouldBe · 03/12/2021 15:57

X-post :)

MindatWork · 03/12/2021 16:02

For all those being sneers at the op, Drone photographers are subject to certain regulations, particularly if they’re trying to make money - these are the current guidelines from the civil aviation authority: register-drones.caa.co.uk/drone-code/protecting-peoples-privacy

MindatWork · 03/12/2021 16:02

@NoBetterthanSheShouldBe beat me to it! Grin

icedcoffees · 03/12/2021 16:04

[quote MindatWork]For all those being sneers at the op, Drone photographers are subject to certain regulations, particularly if they’re trying to make money - these are the current guidelines from the civil aviation authority: register-drones.caa.co.uk/drone-code/protecting-peoples-privacy[/quote]
There's no evidence he's broken the law, though.

He could have flown it above the 150m limit.