Data protection changes – opt in, not out
Changes are coming to the way we handle your data.
Under new EU Law, you must now opt in to let us store and use your information. Rather than ticking a box to say you don’t want to hear from us or for us to use your information, you must now tick a box to say you do.
The official EU GDPR website confirms:
"The EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) replaces the Data Protection Directive 95/46/EC and was designed to harmonize data privacy laws across Europe, to protect and empower all EU citizens data privacy and to reshape the way organizations across the region approach data privacy".
The changes start May 25, 2018.
What does this mean for you as tenants?
As letting agents, having access to your contact information is vital for us to be able to help you as quickly and efficiently as possible; being able to pass that information on is what allows us to get you the repair work, utility providers and other services to best help you.
Property maintenance co-ordinator Amy Forster explains: “We need people to consent for us to be able to pass on their details. We pass them on to contractors and utility companies to be able to provide them with a service.
“If we don’t have consent, we can’t provide them with our service and can’t represent them or deal with issues on their behalf.
"We have begun to get in touch with all of our tenants about the changes - emails are being sent for those currently renting from us to reply to, authorising us to pass their contact details to relevant third parties when required. This doesn't mean you'll start getting hounded by marketing agencies!"
Accessing and withdrawing your personal information
The changes also mean tenants can now request details on the information we hold as well as withdraw that information at any time.
Amy added: “They can request access at any time to what data we hold and withdraw it too. However, if it is withdrawn, we may not be able to assist as best we can without things such as contact info.”
What constitutes my personal data?
Personal data can be any information that can be used (directly or indirectly) to identify you as a person. This can range from your name, a photo, an email address to your bank details, posts on social networkings sites... even your medical information and computer IP address count as your own personal data.
Still unsure what this means for you? Don't hesitate to contact our office on either 0845 838 2890 or via email to info@thelettingco.com
Source: www.eugdpr.org