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Original poster

House with CCTV

31 replies

CCTVmum · 29/10/2013 13:04

If you saw a house with CCTV on it for sale, would you still consider it?

I am in a quandary over will CCTV prevent my house sale and should I risk taking it down?

OP posts:
ouryve · 29/10/2013 13:06

It would make me think that there were a lot of problems with theft or vandalism in the area (my parents have CCTV for this reason)

scurryfunge · 29/10/2013 13:06

I would look up crime figures, etc for the area anyway so it may not put me off.

Original poster
CCTVmum · 29/10/2013 13:10

ahhh that was my next question! Scurryfunge...how do I look these crime rates up?

OP posts:
scurryfunge · 29/10/2013 13:12

I've answered on your other thread. If you google postcode crime search it will give data for certain crimes for that area not individual houses.

Original poster
CCTVmum · 29/10/2013 13:23

It's Domestic Violence ouyve.

Trouble is do I risk taking CCTV down? I have had it up for over 2 years now. Ex only comes every few months I think...damn do I risk taking CCTV down to sell the house? Need some DV advice on this too!

OP posts:
scurryfunge · 29/10/2013 13:26

I wouldnt take it down if it gives you some security. The last house we bought had a CCTV system and it didn't put me off.people have it for all sorts of reasons.

HaveToWearHeels · 29/10/2013 13:37

Wouldn't put me off, although after seeing it I would check on the crime figures. If these looked Ok then it wouldn't put me off. As scurry says people have it for different reasons, some just love being nosy gadgets

Original poster
CCTVmum · 29/10/2013 14:56

Thanks HTWH. But it is the risk of taking it down is a worry now. Will/wont the attacks start again? When you bought house with CCTV did you ask why they had it and what did they say?

OP posts:
SilasGreenback · 29/10/2013 15:23

I think your buyers will probably know what the area is like.

We are having work done on the house. We may well have CCTV fitted as part of the work (as the wiring can be done much more discretely then). I'm ambivalent, DH thinks it will make him feel happier when we are away - he can watch the house remotely.

We are not in a high crime area, nor is our house filled with priceless artwork. DH likes gadgets. My DC want retina scanners instead of keys - I've vetoed that idea - they may have persuaded DH it would have been fun.

Keep your CCTV. Ask your estate agent for feedback. If asked why you have it what would you say? Will you leave it when you move?

CocoCha · 29/10/2013 15:25

I'd love it because i'd install it anyway. Technology innit.

deepfriedsage · 29/10/2013 16:05

Keep it.

GemmaTeller · 29/10/2013 16:10

We sold our last house with CCTV, viewers and the eventual buyer were not put off by it.

ShatnersEmptyCatacomb · 29/10/2013 16:15

It wouldn't put me off at all. It's appealing if anything, like a decent burglar alarm is.

Original poster
CCTVmum · 29/10/2013 16:20

Coco, Never thought of it as a gadget for people!...only a life saver for ds and I!
Silas, don't know if I will take it with me if I don't have it taken down as cost couple hundred to have it taken down by proper CCTV bods.

I might then leave it for now (too frightened of consequences). See how many people come through as the house is priced to sell iygwim.

I was going to say if potential buyers asked 'I am nervous living on my own with small dc'. Which is the case! But only after years of attacks from one EX psychopath.

I know Xmas is a dodgy time as ex comes to country more then and NYE so I will see how I go till Xmas (Sigh...was hoping to be gone by Xmas). Only put house on market and went live yesterday.
I am not having 'For Sale' sign either as don't want ex to be ready to follow me.

OP posts:
HaveToWearHeels · 29/10/2013 16:21

OP, I have never purchased a house with it (sorry if my post was misleading). I would keep it if I were you, silly to remove something that a) makes you feel safe b) doesn't seem to be off putting to potential buyers.

Original poster
CCTVmum · 29/10/2013 16:24

Gemma did the buyers ask why you had CCTV? I am a hopeless liar you see! I start stuttering not giving eye contact and go red so just a little give away!

SEC never thought of it as extra burglar alarm? As didn't use it for that reason...what most people use them for I guess! Sounds more a bonus then?

OP posts:
SantiagoToots · 29/10/2013 16:26

My friend had CCTV put in as she was a policewoman living alone.

OddBoots · 29/10/2013 16:36

I have CCTV, I'm disabled so it helps me see who is at the front door, I also watch the wild birds in the back garden with it and have it in the living areas of the house to keep an eye on my (older) children and the guinea pig when I'm out.

My parents have it as my mum likes to check on their house when on holiday, my brother has it to check on his house from work, my grandma is thinking of getting it in her living areas so we can check in on her each day.

There are lots of reasons to have it and you have no reason to feel that having it is a slight on the property.

PeterParkerSays · 29/10/2013 16:37

I would be careful how you explain it being there though, if someone asked why it was installed. I understand why you have it, but I don't think I'd buy a house if someone's ex was going to pole up at the door and knock lumps out of it thinking his ex-wife was still there.

ShatnersEmptyCatacomb · 29/10/2013 16:39

You just say that you wanted CCTV installed. You don't need to give details, it's just something you wanted. Say you won it in a competition!

I don't think anyone would be that alarmed to see it that they'd demand a full explanation. It's not that unusual. They can check crime figures if they do notice it.

Littleredsquirrel · 29/10/2013 16:41

I wouldn't be put off. we are probably going to have it put in over the next year. Security is necessary in this day and age unfortunately.

nenehooo · 29/10/2013 16:47

We have fake CCTV cameras, as we were advised to get something visible by police when there was an issue with vandalism at our last home. They said that even if you have fake alarms/cameras, it's a deterrent as potential burglars would rather just find a house that has nothing than check to see if your device is real or not. I'd be encouraged by it, if anything!

Original poster
CCTVmum · 29/10/2013 17:19

Thats nice you get to watch the birds odd boots. Wow your whole family has CCTV! I guess becoming more popular but for different reasons. ST I guess your PC friend needs it re her job and revenge etc?

Peter I can assure you the ex would stalk to first check that no one else was their and that I was actually their so to frighten the life out of me (sigh)! He has no criminal record and would never dream of picking on anyone else, esp if man their. I think he got some psychological high from bullying scaring me half to death it's all about control or hate against women I think? Something like that. Just will he do it again if I took CCTV down to sell? Or can I sell with CCTV up?

SEC 'robbery' within 1/2 mile from my home is ZERO! However sexual crimes is second highest(2) to ASB Shock but nowhere near my street(s) thankfully...nothing in this area at all so very very safe! Hope others would take that into account and read postcode checker...going to have a nose for house I want to buy.

OP posts:
GemmaTeller · 29/10/2013 17:41

The estate agent didn't put it on the details but the cameras were up and visible all the time the house was for sale.

I can't remember any viewer specifically asking about it, and we told the buyer the truth (that we installed it to keep an eye on DH's jag)

Original poster
CCTVmum · 29/10/2013 17:50

GT your answer has made me Grin as I would have to say to keep an eye on my Skoda!

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