I spy with my little eye, something black and round.
If you guessed that we are referring to a closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera, you have hit the bullseye.
Spotting CCTV cameras and other surveillance devices when you walk down the corridor of an HDB building may become increasingly common since the number of people installing such devices has increased.
Some cite security reasons to prevent others from stealing their items to justify this potential invasion of privacy.
Here is more about the trend of installing CCTV cameras in HDB homes.
More People Are Installing CCTV Cameras in HDB Units as HDB Approval Is Not Needed
Those tech-savvy amongst us would know that since May this year, HDB no longer required homeowners to seek approval to install CCTV cameras within their homes.
This is even if the cameras faced the common corridor outside their house.
The catch was that HDB recommended that such CCTV cameras not face the door or windows of another flat to respect one’s neighbour’s privacy.
Since the rules were relaxed, there has been a spike in the number of CCTV cameras and other surveillance devices installed in HDB flats.
People also seem more tolerant of these surveillance devices being installed, as The Straits Times reported that the number of “CCTV-related complaints had decreased to about 140 cases in 2022, from more than 200 cases a year in 2021 and 2020”.
Why do people want to install such surveillance devices?
It seems that security is the foremost concern for them.
While you think your neighbours are nosy and want to spy on you, they most likely want to stop others from stealing their belongings while not at home.
The Straits Times spoke to one Ms G (not her real name), who said she had caught a deliveryman stealing her parcel containing two laptop maps outside her house.
She has since made a police report about this.
HDB Approval Is Still Required for CCTV Cameras Installed Outside of HDB Flats
However, there are still rules to follow if you want to install a CCTV camera outside your home.
HDB must give you their blessing to install the device.
According to The Straits Times, which spoke to a partner at a leading local law firm, Rajah & Tann, “the general rule by town councils is that written authorisation is required for the installation of CCTV cameras on common property including walls outside a flat or open spaces, though there might be slight variations in the by-laws across different town councils”.
Over in TikTok, there’s a drama involving property agents that’s caused by us. Here’s what happened:
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