Can my landlord install cameras or mics in my rental?

No. Landlords cannot monitor tenants inside a rented property. Consider legal advice or police if you have evidence.

7 Signs Your House Is Bugged – Covert Surveillance Explained

Q: How can I tell if my house is bugged in the UK?

Look for a repeatable pattern of signs such as disturbed fittings, unknown devices on your network, interference on radios/monitors, and private details leaking. Do simple DIY checks, then book a professional TSCM sweep to confirm.

Q: Are cheap bug detectors worth it?

They may find basic transmitters but often miss dormant, wired, or frequency-hopping devices. Use as a first pass only.

Q: How much does a bug sweep cost in the UK?

Pricing depends on property size and complexity. Flats can be a few hundred pounds, larger properties more. Request a free quote with size and location.

Q: Can you check my car for trackers or mics?

Yes, vehicle sweeps are common. Ask for a combined home and vehicle sweep if you suspect stalking or corporate espionage.

September 16, 2023 - Reading time: 16 minutes
Updated on: September 3, 2025

Hidden cameras and microphones are easier than ever to conceal. If you feel someone could be monitoring you at home, you might be right. Consumer tech is cheap and powerful, and professional kits are hard to spot. Below are the key signs to look for, safe checks you can do, and when to bring in a professional bug sweep.

An eye looking through a hole in the wall

1. Physical Tampering or Evidence of Entry

Locks or doors disturbed — scratches round cylinders, tighter or looser closing, doors left ajar.
Outlets or fittings altered — loose faceplates, moved furniture, ceiling tiles out of line.
Random new objects — air fresheners, USB chargers, plug-in sensors, fake smoke alarms, ornaments that appeared without explanation.

2. Unusual Device Behaviour

Phones heating up or draining when idle, unexplained background noise on calls.
Wi-Fi or signal black spots in the same area of the house, especially near sockets or vents.
Lights flicker or breakers trip after a “new” device appeared.

3. Radio, TV, or Baby Monitor Interference

Clicking, buzzing, or bursty static near walls or sockets can indicate a transmitter. Analogue baby monitors sometimes pick up overlapping audio from cheap wireless bugs or IP cameras on 2.4 GHz.

4. Pets Acting Strangely

Dogs or cats fixating on one corner, or avoiding a room entirely, can hint at ultrasonic noise or RF emissions the human ear misses. Treat this as a signal to search, not proof on its own.

5. People Know Things They Shouldn’t

If private conversations or plans leak repeatedly, assume your environment might be compromised. Capture dates and details in a log so patterns emerge during a sweep.

6. Frequent Nearby Surveillance Activity

Unfamiliar vehicles lingering with line of sight to your property.
Unsolicited “service” visits, meter checks, or tradespeople without an appointment.

7. Evidence of Intrusion or Misplaced Items

Open drawers, moved documents, or small items out of position can indicate a covert entry to plant or service a device. Photograph what you find before moving it.

What Do Hidden Microphones Look Like?

Most covert mics are small black modules with a pin-hole mic and battery, often paired with a cheap Wi-Fi or GSM board to transmit audio. You rarely see the mic itself — it is inside something else:

Everyday housings — USB chargers, multi-plugs, smoke alarms, speakers, clock radios, PIR sensors, air fresheners, power banks, extension leads.
Custom placements — behind skirting, inside light fittings, under desks, within picture frames or plant pots.
Vehicle bugs — under seats, in dashboards, or powered from OBD ports. GPS trackers are often magnet-mounted under a car chassis.

Well-placed devices are not visible without disassembly. Professional implants may be hard-wired to power and tucked within voids, so consumer bug detectors won’t always find them.

DIY Checks vs Professional Bug Sweep

DIY checks you can try safely:

Lens scan in the dark with a torch held at eye level. Look for pinpoint reflections on shelves, vents, and ornaments.
Router and network audit — log in to your router, rename the Wi-Fi, change passwords, and review connected devices for unknown names. Power-cycle all smart devices and the router.
Socket and object audit — list anything “new”. Unplug and weigh plug-in objects that feel unusually heavy for their size.
Phone and laptop hygiene — update OS, remove unknown apps or profiles, revoke risky permissions.
Unknown tracker alerts — on iOS and Android, enable alerts for unknown Bluetooth trackers that move with you.

Limits of DIY: cheap RF detectors struggle with modern frequency-hopping or dormant devices. Hard-wired mics without active transmission will not show on a basic sweep. That is where a professional TSCM sweep is recommended.

Legal Notes in the UK

Recording in your own home is generally lawful for personal reasons, but misuse of recordings can breach harassment, communications, or privacy laws.
Landlords cannot place devices in rented properties for monitoring tenants.
Tampering with suspected devices could damage evidence. Photograph and log first, then seek advice.

For complex cases or safety concerns, consider reporting to police. Otherwise, engage a professional team to preserve evidence correctly.

Concerned? Here’s What To Do

Do not discuss suspicions at home. Step outside or use a device away from the property.
Keep a log of dates, times, and odd events. Photograph anything out of place.
Avoid ripping things apart — you could alert the person or destroy useful evidence.
Arrange a professional sweep for your home, office, and vehicles if needed.

Book a Professional Bug Sweep with PI-UK

Private Investigators UK conducts TSCM bug sweeps nationwide. Our team uses near-field receivers, spectrum analysis, lens detection, and physical inspection to locate hidden microphones, cameras, and trackers in homes, offices, and vehicles.

We work discreetly and preserve evidence correctly. Unsure but concerned? Get a free, no-obligation quote. Or learn more about our bug sweep service.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I tell if my house is bugged in the UK?

Look for a pattern: disturbed fittings, odd Wi-Fi devices, interference, and private details leaking. Do simple checks, then book a professional sweep for confirmation.

Are cheap bug detectors worth it?

They can find basic transmitters but often miss dormant, wired, or frequency-hopping devices. Treat them as a first pass, not a clean bill of health.

How much does a bug sweep cost in the UK?

Costs vary by size and complexity. Flats can be a few hundred pounds, large homes or multi-site sweeps more. Ask for a free quote with property size and location.

Can my landlord put cameras or mics in my rental?

No. Landlords cannot monitor tenants inside a rented property. If you have evidence, seek legal advice or speak to police.

What about my car?

Trackers and mics can be hidden in vehicles. Ask for a combined home and vehicle sweep if you suspect stalking or corporate espionage.

You are reading the PrivateInvestigators-UK blog — home to the UK's leading detective agency. Learn more about us by visiting our homepage PrivateInvestigators-UK.com.