The obvious benefits of the CCTV is that it acts as a deterrent, as residents and visitors are less likely to do anything illegal or contrary to the Rules of Condominium if they know they are being watched.
Also, CCTV makes it easier to discover the identity of anyone causing a damage to, or littering the common area. If anything happens, the CCTV recordings would be used as evidence.
Overall, knowing that your property is monitored provides you peace of mind. However, it is crucial to understand that while CCTV can monitor areas, they do not fully guarantee the identification of those who cause incidents.
Data protection laws must also be taken in consideration when installing CCTV cameras. The proper legal basis for installing CCTV cameras for condominium is consent. This means that CCTV intended to monitor the common parts should only be installed following the agreement of all owners. After installing it, appropriate CCTV signs must be displayed and the controller (e.g. the administrator, one of the owners, or a third party) must adopt a CCTV policy in order to adequately inform everyone about the processing operation.
In respect to the costs, the owners must consider not only the initial installation cost, but also the monthly internet cost, regular maintenance cost (e.g. technology updates) and monitoring costs. Where the administrator is the CCTV controller and processor, the time spent with scanning CCTV to identify the people causing issues is not part of yearly administration fees, but it will be charged separately.
Make sure you understand all the above when deciding to install CCTV cameras!
