Privacy Policy

 

Effective Date: 28/11/2024
 
Better Homes NE is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, and protect the personal data you provide to us when using our services.
 
1. Who We Are
 
Better Homes NE is a lettings agency registered in the UK, with our office located in Washington Tyne & Wear. We act as the Data Controller in relation to the personal data you provide to us.
 
If you have any questions about this policy, please contact us:
•Email: info@betterhomesne.co.uk
•Phone: 0191 743 1425
 
 
2. What Information We Collect
 
We may collect and process the following types of personal data:
 
For Tenants:
 
•Full name, address, date of birth, and contact details (email and phone number)
•Employment information, salary details, and references
•Bank account details for payments
•Identification documents (e.g., passport, driving licence)
•Credit check and financial information
•Communication records
 
For Landlords:
 
•Full name, address, and contact details
•Bank account details for payments
•Property details
•Correspondence and communication records
 
For Website Visitors:
 
•IP address, browser type, and browsing activity (via cookies)
3. How We Use Your Information
 
We use your personal data for the following purposes:
•Tenants: To process tenancy applications, conduct credit and reference checks, prepare tenancy agreements, and manage property-related issues.
•Landlords: To market properties, manage lettings, process rental payments, and comply with legal obligations.
•General: To communicate with you, comply with legal requirements, and improve our services.
 
4. Legal Basis for Processing
 
We process your data under the following legal bases:
•Contractual Obligations: To fulfill our contractual duties as a lettings agent.
•Legal Obligations: To comply with applicable laws and regulations, such as anti-money laundering requirements.
•Legitimate Interests: To manage and improve our services.
•Consent: Where you have explicitly consented, for example, to receive marketing communications.
5. Sharing Your Information
 
We may share your personal data with:
•Credit reference agencies and tenant referencing services
•Landlords (if you are a tenant)
•Tenants (if you are a landlord)
•Maintenance contractors or service providers
•Professional advisors, such as solicitors or accountants
•Regulatory authorities, as required by law
 
We will not sell or rent your personal data to third parties.
 
6. International Transfers
 
We will not transfer your personal data outside the UK or European Economic Area (EEA) unless adequate protection is in place.
 
7. Data Retention
 
We will retain your personal data only as long as necessary for the purposes outlined in this policy or as required by law. This may include:
•Tenants: 6 years after the end of the tenancy.
•Landlords: 6 years after our business relationship ends.
8. Your Rights
 
Under UK GDPR, you have the following rights:
•Access: Request access to your personal data.
•Correction: Request corrections to inaccurate or incomplete data.
•Erasure: Request deletion of your data where it is no longer needed.
•Restriction: Request restricted processing of your data.
•Portability: Request transfer of your data to another party.
•Objection: Object to processing based on legitimate interests.
•Complaints: Lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at www.ico.org.uk.
 
To exercise your rights, please contact us using the details above.
 
9. Security Measures
 
We implement robust security measures to protect your personal data, including encryption, firewalls, and access controls.
 
10. Cookies
 
Our website uses cookies to improve user experience. For more details, see our [Cookie Policy].
 
11. Changes to this Policy
 
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Please review it regularly to stay informed of how we are protecting your data.
 
12. Contact Us
 
If you have any questions about this policy or how we handle your personal data, please contact us at:
•Email: info@betterhomesne.co.uk
•Phone: 0191 743 1425