Should Landlords wear body cameras?

Should Landlords wear body cameras?

11:15 AM, 26th November 2018, About 6 years ago 13

Text Size

Following on from my 5½ year legal case I have invested in a Body Worn Camera at a cost of £75.00.

I suggest a Body Worn Video is very necessary these days for Landlords. Police Officers have BWV and always say as they arrive “I have my Body Worn Camera switched on is that alright?” Hence I shall say that.

There is “Corroborative Evidence” of what actions or conversations took place.

Very recently I have had a tenant say that I told him to have new carpets fitted throughout the house and I would pay for them! Well I never said anything of the sort! Absolute rubbish! However, we now have the situation of the tenant saying one thing and the landlord something else.

With a BWV there is absolutely no doubt about what was said and it can be relied upon if the matter proceeds to Court.

I have to be particularly concerned about female staff in Letting Agencies I use. There have been threats to staff and a BWV is an essential piece of kit these days in my view.

Fergus Wilson


Share This Article


Comments

Mike

Become a Member

If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments, posts and send them messages!

Sign Up

12:30 PM, 1st December 2018, About 6 years ago

Whenever I go to check my HMO more or less twice if not once a week, I have my phone recorder switched on, I have had one serious false accusation against me when a "bitch" tenant accused me of common assault, I was arrested and taken to a police cell and interrogated, no prosecution could be brought against me as there was no evidence from her part, I learnt my lesson never to go alone when it is a female tenant alone.
I went to get my keys back as she was leaving the place, by her own accord, so asked me to come and collect keys, and release her deposit, my only condition as that she give my property back the way it was except some wear and tear, she also wanted me to have the carpets deep cleaned so I expected the same from her on leaving, she said she would hire a company to do that as I offered her my own service to deep clean myself by hiring a carpet cleaning machine, for about £50.00, and I would throw free labour, but she insisted that she would get her own cleaning contractor.
But when I got there, she hadn't even vacuumed the carpets let alone deep cleaning, so when I pointed this she went ballistic, started to accuse me of harassment and started to yell at me, real loud, then started to scream loud as though to attract neighbors attention, to frame me for an assault, but she failed miserably as no one cared or came out to find out why she was screaming mad, crying her eyes out! her taxi arrived and as the driver got out to help her baby pram in his black cab, she started yelling at me again like "get away from me" "Don't touch me" to make it look as though I have touched her, the driver heard her and turned on me, he nearly pushed me away and I stopped him by saying hold on mate, I am her landlord and she started to scream when I told her she had not deep cleaned my carpets and I would deduct £50.00 from her £700 deposit, so the whole thing started by me saying to her that I would deduct £50 for having to deep clean the carpets, she was a child minder and then place stunk with children's stale urine!
this bitch caused me to give my finger prints and DNA which I suppose is still on police files after may be now 8 years ago.
No doubt I was shaken badly and learnt my lesson, I don't care for ICO por Data protection, I do record all events now, ideally I like to use one of those bike helmet cameras, they are cheap and have date and time recorded as well as all conversation. All private landlords should use this to protect them against bastard tenants. For good tenants you don't need that.
I wonder if those who use bike helmet cameras are registered with ICO!

BTW, The taxi driver was sensible as she tried to ask him to provide false evidence against me, but he knew better. At least I respect him for that.

SGSAM

Become a Member

If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments, posts and send them messages!

Sign Up

13:03 PM, 1st December 2018, About 6 years ago

Gosh this seams a bit alarmist. If I was a tenant I wouldn't think it very likely a landlord is ever going to pay for anything not agreed in writing. I would offer a word of caution around social media. My tenant like many of the younger generation finds it entirely natural to use group chat, so when we had a plumbing problem he brought a plumber into our group chat. This then gets very confusing if you wish to contract with relevant trades person. Luckily my plumber told him he could only accept work based on an e-mail from myself..

amarni

Become a Member

If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments, posts and send them messages!

Sign Up

16:11 PM, 1st December 2018, About 6 years ago

Can anyone suggest which one to buy. I now always take mobile phone photos and videos but would like one to wear on my body/head.
How are they charged?
Is zoom-in available and how clear is picture?
What is playback like?
Is volume good?
Is speech clear enough?

Leave Comments

In order to post comments you will need to Sign In or Sign Up for a FREE Membership

or

Don't have an account? Sign Up

Landlord Tax Planning Book Now