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Original poster

Unauthorised photography within my home and sharing of the photographs

538 replies

Changerofthename1 · 09/11/2022 19:08

I found out that a contractor has taken photographs of the inside of my home that I did not authorise, one of them has got my child in the corner I’m fucking furious about. Obviously it’s gone from one employees phone to another and then it’s been forwarded onto who is thinks is me but actually I’m using an email address that isn’t the one that he would have on my contract if that makes sense so I think he’s on thin ice with that.

This can’t be legal surely ?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
9
medicatedgift · 09/11/2022 22:11

The reason given may not be irrelevant.

Ellie1015 · 09/11/2022 22:12

Was the reason they couldn't do the work the child being present?

If so were you told in advance child couldn't be there? And did you explain you were about to take child to nursery? If so builder is unreasonable.

If something else you should have done but havent ie moved the sideboard and child caputured in background of photo then yabu.

HeraldicBlazoning · 09/11/2022 22:12

The poor judge. If it gets that far. Which it won’t.

Original poster
Changerofthename1 · 09/11/2022 22:13

HeraldicBlazoning · 09/11/2022 22:12

The poor judge. If it gets that far. Which it won’t.

Of course it will if they don’t refund my money.

OP posts:
StickyMacStick · 09/11/2022 22:14

I’m furious. How very dare the Amazon delivery man take a photo of my shed.

Sorry- couldn’t help myself…

Flippancy aside- this is clearly about much more than a photo being taken, isn’t it? The photo isn’t the crux of the issue.

YABU.

Unauthorised photography within my home and sharing of the photographs
Mulhollandmagoo · 09/11/2022 22:14

Changerofthename1 · 09/11/2022 22:11

The child being present was not the reason given and actually the reason given is utterly irrelevant it doesn’t matter that’s what I will discuss at a later date with the judge for retrieving my deposit.

as a separate issue four hours ago we established I’m pissed off that they’ve gone around snapping my child in his own home where he can expect privacy 🙄

The reason isn't irrelevant though really, is it? You can instruct a solicitor, but if YOU have breached the contract, and YOU are the reason the work couldn't be carried out you'll be laughed out of the door, the solicitor will be bound by the terms of the contract and if you've breached it then there is nothing they will be able to do to help you. The reason they couldn't do the work is very relevant to be honest.

Thatboymum · 09/11/2022 22:15

What a bloody drama lama, by the sounds of you I bet the workmen are glad they did take photos because you are bat shit

ABBAsnumberonefan · 09/11/2022 22:15

Changerofthename1 · 09/11/2022 22:13

Of course it will if they don’t refund my money.

Show quote history

Why will it? Exactly what law has been broken? None. Stop embarrassing yourself now

medicatedgift · 09/11/2022 22:16

You'll lose if you have breached the contract.

FavouritePi · 09/11/2022 22:16

I don't see how it could happen though, surely you would keep your child by your side or just have eyes on them wherever they are when contractors are in your home?

However, from experience this often happens when you're renting, or in a new build where they are:

  1. Assessing the scale of the job and using photos to refer back to later OR,
  2. Taking evidence which is justifying why they couldn't do the job (you've damaged something, house is dirty or cluttered, you've not cleared the area, it's the wrong part they've brought along, etc.)

Sounds like it could be the scenario especially where you say they emailed a different email address to the one in the contract. Perhaps you usually email from an email address different to the one on file? If so, perhaps raise this point with them as they shouldn't have ever corresponded with you via that email address unless you confirmed they could. However, I'm not too sure what you're after from this scenario?
Ask the company to delete all copies of the image(s)?

If you've allowed them access to do the work and the photos were related to that and that's what they've advised you of then they're not strictly in the wrong (only that your child is in the corner of one which they shouldn't be). However, yes, it would be more ethical to explain to you beforehand that they would take photos. I used to work with contractors and would say most usually do tell you they'll take photos unless they think you might be aggressive, especially if they're explaining why they can't do something and you don't agree. Sounds like they've had a quick snap to get out of there quickly.

Noodlehen · 09/11/2022 22:16

So first of all they took a pic and your son was in it. And now they’ve gone around snapping your house.

you can’t say what work was being done, why they couldn’t do it or what exactly the photo was of because it’s too outing.

are you Kate Middleton?

all jokes aside. Do you genuinely not see how ridiculous you are being????

Kaschai · 09/11/2022 22:16

Changerofthename1 · 09/11/2022 19:26

Nearly right … however wouldnt a normal person communicate that rather than photograph it ?

Show quote history

Surely the photo is evidence and proof of why they cannot do the job?

Original poster
Changerofthename1 · 09/11/2022 22:19

FavouritePi · 09/11/2022 22:16

I don't see how it could happen though, surely you would keep your child by your side or just have eyes on them wherever they are when contractors are in your home?

However, from experience this often happens when you're renting, or in a new build where they are:

  1. Assessing the scale of the job and using photos to refer back to later OR,
  2. Taking evidence which is justifying why they couldn't do the job (you've damaged something, house is dirty or cluttered, you've not cleared the area, it's the wrong part they've brought along, etc.)

Sounds like it could be the scenario especially where you say they emailed a different email address to the one in the contract. Perhaps you usually email from an email address different to the one on file? If so, perhaps raise this point with them as they shouldn't have ever corresponded with you via that email address unless you confirmed they could. However, I'm not too sure what you're after from this scenario?
Ask the company to delete all copies of the image(s)?

If you've allowed them access to do the work and the photos were related to that and that's what they've advised you of then they're not strictly in the wrong (only that your child is in the corner of one which they shouldn't be). However, yes, it would be more ethical to explain to you beforehand that they would take photos. I used to work with contractors and would say most usually do tell you they'll take photos unless they think you might be aggressive, especially if they're explaining why they can't do something and you don't agree. Sounds like they've had a quick snap to get out of there quickly.

Why would I be aggressive I’m literally walking through my house to show somebody where to start work for the next 5 weeks. I had the kettle and rich tea biscuits at the ready 🤣

OP posts:
Barbie222 · 09/11/2022 22:20

This is the most coherent bit of what OP has said so far:

The work they were doing was from the hallway to the lounge through to the kitchen. obviously it’s been communicated as to why they couldn’t do it. I think the reason that they couldn’t do it is absolute bollocks and therefore I want my money back. They disagree and provided a photograph that I didn’t know they had of my house and of my child. I basically would like this to be resolved by them returning my money and fucking off and deleting the photos of my house and my child.

So it's a drummed up bit of outrage to try and circumvent the issue that the work couldn't be done on the day because for reasons they're not likely to elaborate on OP didn't hold up their end of the bargain and was in breach of contract.

It's one of those MN tales where the other side of the story is so palpable, you can almost hear the contractors saying their part.

Wonnle · 09/11/2022 22:21

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Ponderingwindow · 09/11/2022 22:22

Did this job involve needing to move furniture and you decided that they could do start to finish in one section and then move on to the next so you only removed the furniture from that part instead of the whole area?

Original poster
Changerofthename1 · 09/11/2022 22:23

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Can you PM me your address them please so I can pop round and take a snap of your living room and any of the kids that you’ve got in it at that moment ? I may distribute those photographs within my organisation but I’m sure you’d be totally cool with that.

OP posts:
Laurawharton3 · 09/11/2022 22:23

Honestly without proper context no one can answer your questions properly.
Your trying to get out of a deposit problem by using the excuse they snapped a pic of my child without permission which I don't think is a reason for them to let you out of your contract at all unfortunately. So you either do what they ask so they can do there job or don't and loose your deposit.
Seems you would have claimed they was lieing if they didn't snap the pics so you've kinda made yourself look bad if they didn't and if they did take the pictures. Your just mad they have evidence to support and trying to use the fact that the kids in the pic as a reason to have them still cancel your contract, its not going to work unfortunately unless you stated in writing that you prohibit anyone from taking photos of your house or your child whileon the property, you could ask your child to be blurred out though if your that concerned, its not like they shared on social and only shared it to people working on your house to see the issues and maybe try and resolve them with his other work mates. I have had many photos taken while ive been showing workers problems. One actually took a close up of my dog behind my back to show to his workers (found out after one came the next day saying your the pretty girl from the picture). There was probly some with my kid to as he always follows me around when I have workers or just plain follows and bugs the workers 🤣

rwalker · 09/11/2022 22:23

It sounds like they are decorating the house and OP thought they’d start in one room and they want to start in another which wasn’t ready for them to work in

FavouritePi · 09/11/2022 22:24

Sorry, seen your update.

I can't see why they would be taking photos, then refusing to do the work and saying they'll retain your deposit. Surely you sorry whatever they're asking? Rather, it sounds like you've refused them to come back and you're asking for your deposit back which they have a right to keep as it's not them breached the contract. You'd get laughed out of court.

Your child being in the photo is a separate issue (which in all fairness, they could say they will crop the photo if need be).

FavouritePi · 09/11/2022 22:26

*sure you do whatever they're asking (or accept their reasoning).

Westendbuoys · 09/11/2022 22:27

You thought they'd start at the back but they planned to be starting at the front? But the front of your house (the living room) was still full of your stuff, furniture and unsmiling cbeebies watching toddler so they couldn't do their plan of action? Took their photos and left with 5k of paint/bricks/parquet flooring to speak to their boss who then contacted you.

Is that it? I should be in bed. This is too much.

Name99 · 09/11/2022 22:28

It was pest control wasn't it, that's why it's too outing

TheWurst · 09/11/2022 22:28

You are much more angry about the photo of your house with your kid half in frame, then the £5,000 which makes me wonder if you know you are in the wrong with whatever this mystery reason is they couldn’t do the work.

k1233 · 09/11/2022 22:29

I think any counter arguments you suggest in a law suit eg your child at the edge of a photo that demonstrated breach of contract was invasion of privacy, would be deemed frivolous. If anything it may bolster the claim that works couldn't be undertaken due to (depending on type of work to be done) unsafe work space as child had easy access to where contractors would be working with tools. I think it is normal for pets and children to be demonstrably restricted from work sites when contractors arrive. By this I mean in an area that would not require them to access the active worksite for any reason eg cross it to go to the bathroom etc