Data Protection Information
We are registered under the Data Protection Act 1998 and any information you supply will be treated in accordance with that Act. You can obtain further information about data protection laws by visiting the Information Commissioner’s website at www.ico.org.uk.
Visitors to our websites
When someone visits www.runcornpropertynews.co.uk we use a third-party service, Google Analytics, to collect standard internet log information and details of visitor behaviour patterns. We do this to find out things such as the number of visitors to the various parts of the site. This information is only processed in a way which does not identify anyone. We do not make, and do not allow Google to make, any attempt to find out the identities of those visiting our website. If we do want to collect personally identifiable information through our website, we will be up front about this. We will make it clear when we collect personal information and will explain what we intend to do with it.
Newsletter
We use a third-party provider, Mailchimp, to deliver marketing, newsletters and any marketing material. We gather statistics around email opening and clicks using industry standard technologies for more information, please see Mailchimp privacy notice. To opt out of receiving these emails, once you have opted in you will have the option on any marketing material to unsubscribe at any time via the ‘unsubscribe’ link on the bottom of the email.
Security and performance
HomeSmart Lettings uses a third-party service to help maintain the security and performance of the Runcorn Property News website. To deliver this service it processes the IP addresses of visitors to the Runcorn Property News website. We are committed to ensuring that your information is secure. In order to prevent unauthorised access or disclosure, HomeSmart Lettings have in place suitable physical, electronic and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect online.
WordPress
We use a third-party service, WordPress.com, to publish our blog, these sites are hosted at WordPress.com. We use a standard WordPress service to collect anonymous information about users’ activity on the site, for example the number of users viewing pages on the site, to monitor and report on the effectiveness of the site and help us improve it. WordPress requires visitors that want to post a comment to enter a name and email address.
People who contact us via social media
We do this in house. If you send us a private or direct message via social media the message will be stored. Your information will not be shared with any other organisations.
People who email us
We use Transport Layer Security (TLS) to encrypt and protect email traffic in line with government Policies or regulations. If your email service does not support TLS, you should be aware that any emails we send or receive may not be protected in transit.We will also monitor any emails sent to us, including file attachments, for viruses or malicious software. Please be aware that you have a responsibility to ensure that any email you send is within the bounds of the law.
We will also monitor any emails sent to us, including file attachments, for viruses or malicious software. Please be aware that you have a responsibility to ensure that any email you send is within the bounds of the law.
Emails from you
There is no guarantee that any emails you send will be received by us or that the confidentiality of that email will be maintained during internet transmission. You will need to check with your provider of their policy.
Access to your Personal Information
You may access your Personal Information we hold about you and update/correct it, subject to certain exceptions. If you wish to access your Personal Information, please contact us in writing or email to info@homesmartlettings.com. HomeSmart Lettings will not charge any fee for your access request. In order to protect your Personal Information, we may require identification from you before releasing the requested information known as a data subject access request. We will require 30 days’ notice
HomeSmart Lettings will not charge any fee for your access request. In order to protect your Personal Information, we may require identification from you before releasing the requested information known as a data subject access request. We will require 30 days’ notice
Maintaining the Quality of your Personal Information
It is important to us that your Personal Information is up to date. We will take reasonable steps to make sure that your Personal Information is accurate, complete and current. If you find that the information we have is not up to date or is inaccurate, please advise us as soon as practicable so we can update our records and ensure we can continue to provide quality services to you.
What We Collect
We may collect the following information:Name
- Name
- Contact information, including email address, and postal address
- Property requirements
- We require this information in order to understand your needs and provide you with a better service.
- Information relating to your identity where we are required by law to collect this in order to comply with the Money Laundering Regulations 2017 and the Immigration Act.
- Your banking details where required such as where you are letting a property or, where renting, to set up an approved tenancy deposit account for you and arrange for rental payments
What we do with the information we gather:
- Maintain internal record keeping
- We may use the information to improve our products and services
- We may periodically send promotional emails about new properties, special offers or other information which we think you may find interesting using the email address provided by you.
From time to time, we may also use your information to contact you for market research purposes. We may contact you by email, phone or post, this will be asked to opt in at the start of the business relationship and you will be able to unsubscribe at any time.
We may share your information with third parties, including, but not limited to:
Suppliers and sub-contractors, solicitors and those of the other party to your transaction, EPC’s companies, mortgage advisors, referencing companies, TDS registration, rent guarantee company, money laundering companies, DocuSign and cloud computing host providers.
In relation to any contract we enter into with them or with you.
Cookies
Our website uses cookies to distinguish you from other users of our website. This helps us to provide you with a good experience when you browse our website and also allows us to improve our site. For more detailed information on the cookies we use and the purposes for which we use them, please see our Cookies Policy.
Right to be Forgotten
You have the right to be forgotten by our company but due to legislation within the letting and sales sector we will retain your personal data for different periods of time depending on the service you have chosen to use us for, which may be a longer period than that for which we need to hold your data to provide those services, i.e where we are under regulatory or statutory duties to hold your data for a longer period or need to retain it in the event of a legal claim or complaint. After this time has elapsed we will then delete any information we hold on you. We will inform you at the time of your request how long we need to hold your data.
Anti-Money Laundering
HomeSmart Lettings is committed to operating its business in a transparent and open manner, consistent with our legal and regulatory obligations. We are aware that the real estate industry is a target for organised criminals seeking to launder the proceeds of criminal activity. We always seek to prevent this activity by cooperating fully with the authorities and reporting suspicious activity to the National Crime Agency.
As part of this commitment, we comply strictly with all applicable Anti Money Laundering rules, with specific emphasis on the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, the Money Laundering Regulations 2007, the Bribery Act 2010 and the Terrorism Act 2000.
HomeSmart Lettings’s policy on Money Laundering is applicable to all our customers, including vendors, buyers, landlords and tenants. As a result, we obtain and hold for a period of at least five years proof of our customers’ identity, current address, ownership of a property and funds. We will be unable to proceed with any work on behalf of our customers if we are unable to obtain this information. Customers’ identities will be subject to an electronic identity check, which may show up on your credit rating.
For a full list of acceptable identity documents, please click here. HomeSmart Lettings is registered and supervised by HM Revenue & Customs for compliance with the Money Laundering Regulations 2007.
Policy Updates
This Policy may change from time to time
Privacy Policy Complaints and Enquiries
If you have any queries or complaints about our Privacy Policy, please contact us at info@homesmartlettings.com.
How to contact us
If you want to request information about our privacy policy, please contact us by post or in person at 60A High Street, Runcorn, Cheshire, WA7 1AW, by telephone on 01928 246 888 or by email at info@homesmartlettings.com.