A drone is an aircraft flown without a pilot on board. Whether a neighbour can legally fly one over your house in the UK needs to be assessed against the rules for that flight. If you want the flying to stop, we suggest raising your concerns with your neighbour first. Persistent or dangerous activity can also be reported to the police.
What is a drone?
The term covers a range of aircraft without an onboard pilot, including the commercially available systems described in a GOV.UK explanation of drones. These include quadcopters, hexacopters and octocopters; some carry cameras.
A pilot can control a drone using a handheld controller. Some also use first-person view, watching images transmitted by the drone on a screen or through goggles. Drones can be used for recreation, photography and surveying.
Is your neighbour’s flight over your home legal?
For a particular flight, check the Civil Aviation Authority’s Drone and Model Aircraft Code and seek advice on the circumstances. It helps to be clear about what you observed and whether your concern relates to safety, privacy or both.
What can you do about a drone over your house?
If you feel comfortable doing so, explain to your neighbour what you have seen and when. You can ask them to adjust their flight path. A conversation is a request, not a guarantee that the flying will stop.
If the activity continues, note the dates, times and direction the drone came from. Photos or video can also help document an incident if you can capture them safely. HireDronePilot’s guide suggests reporting persistent or dangerous drone activity to the police on 101 and calling 999 if there is immediate danger to life. Keep your account focused on what you observed when asking for advice or making a report.
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