Tenants face photos order

Council tenants could be forced to submit photographs of themselves in what a campaign group has branded a "hugely intrusive" breach of privacy.
By The Newsroom
Published 10th Nov 2010, 23:03 BST
Updated 10th Nov 2010, 23:03 BST

The move by Hull Council could see people sending in pictures as part of new-look tenancy agreements, creating a database of over 25,000 images.

Officials claim the move will help guard against fraud and stop the wrong tenants being evicted for non-payment of rent.

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But the move has been attacked by a civil rights campaign group.

Daniel Hamilton from Big Brother Watch, which fights intrusions on privacy and liberty, said: "I am at a loss to work out what practical need Hull Council has to keep this kind of information. This is a hugely intrusive scheme.

"Keeping records about tenants' behaviour and payment history is one thing but holding a database of their photographs is another."

The requirement for tenants' photographs is among a number of proposed changes following the first review of policies in the agreement for 15 years. It is expected to be discussed by the authority's Cabinet early next year.