Data Protection, Cookie & Privacy Policy - James Gorey Estate Agents

This policy has been approved and authorised by:

NAME: James Gorey

POSITION: Manging Director

LAST REVIEW DATE: 29^th April 2024

ICO Registration No: James Gorey Ltd Registration Reference is ZA594123

James Gorey Estate Agents is a trading name of James Gorey Ltd registered in England & Wales (Reg No: 12029084) at 13 Stirling Close, Sidcup, DA14 6RP.

Introduction
- James Gorey Estate Agents is made up of a network of offices which includes a number of independently owned companies, partnerships and sole traders (“Franchisees”) who have a licence to use the James Gorey Estate Agents brand, under their own company identity, details of which can be found on their branch page at jamesgorey.com. Each Franchisee is the data controller for their franchise business and are responsible for the processing of your personal data, they are each individually registered with the ICO.
- We are committed to protecting your privacy. This Policy explains how and for what purposes we use the information collected about you by James Gorey Estate Agents.
- Please read this Policy carefully. By using any services that we offer, you are agreeing to be bound by this Policy in respect of the information collected about you.
- If you have any queries or comments about the policy, our use of your personal information or wish to unsubscribe from messages from us, please get in touch by writing to us at 20-22 Station Road, Sidcup, DA15 7EJ.
- We are committed to compliance with the GDPR. We will as a minimum meet the letter of the law, but wherever possible we will also look to exceed it.
- This policy sets out the procedures that are to be followed when dealing with personal data. The procedures and principles set out herein must be followed at all times by us, our employees, sub-agents, contractors, or other parties working on our behalf to ensure the correct, lawful, and fair handling of all personal data.
Definitions
- Customers - Data Subjects
- Data Subjects - Any person we obtain personal information from, including property sellers, buyers, landlords, applicants and tenants.
- Data Controller - A person who (either alone or jointly or in common with other persons) determines the purposes for which and the manner in which any personal data are, or are to be, processed.
- GDPR - The General Data Protection Regulations
- ICO - Information Commissioners Office
- Personal Data - Any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person; an identifiable natural person is one who can be identified, directly or indirectly, in particular by reference to an identifier such as a name, an identification number, location data, an online identifier, or to one or more factors specific to the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural, or social identity of that natural person.
- The Company/We/Us/Our - James Gorey Estate Agents
Data Protection Principles
- We aim to ensure compliance with the principles of the Regulations and as such all personal data must be:
  - Processed lawfully, fairly, and in a transparent manner in relation to the data subject;
  - Collected for specified, explicit, and legitimate purposes and not further processed in a manner that is incompatible with those purposes; further processing for archiving purposes in the public interest, scientific or historical research purposes or statistical purposes shall not be considered to be incompatible with the initial purposes;
  - Adequate, relevant and limited to what is necessary in relation to the purposes for which it is processed;
  - Accurate and, where necessary, kept up to date; every reasonable step must be taken to ensure that personal data that is inaccurate, having regard to the purposes for which they are processed, is erased or rectified without delay;
  - Kept in a form which permits identification of data subjects for no longer than is necessary for the purposes for which the personal data is processed; personal data may be stored for longer periods insofar as the personal data will be processed solely for archiving purposes in the public interest, scientific or historical research purposes or statistical purposes subject to implementation of the appropriate technical and organisational measures required by the Regulation in order to safeguard the rights and freedoms of the data subject;
  - Processed in a manner that ensures appropriate security of the personal data, including protection against unauthorised or unlawful processing and against accidental loss, destruction or damage, using appropriate technical or organisational measures.

Lawful, Fair, and Transparent Data Processing
1 GDPR requires that personal data is processed lawfully, fairly, and transparently, without adversely affecting the rights of the data subject. To ensure we are compliant we will only process data where:
a) The data subject has given consent to the processing of his or her personal data for one or more specific purposes;
b) It is necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is a party or in order to take steps at the request of the data subject prior to entering into a contract;
c) It is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation to which the controller is subject;
d) It is necessary to protect the vital interests of the data subject or of another natural person;
e) It is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller;
f) It is necessary for the purposes of the legitimate interests pursued by the controller or by a third party, except where such interests are overridden by the fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject which require protection of personal data.
Processing for Specified, Explicit and Legitimate Purposes
- We collect and process the personal data set out in Section 22 below. This may include personal data received directly from data subjects when we directly interact with them.
- It may also include data received from third parties. Third parties include, but are not restricted to – Rightmove, the ZPG group (including Zoopla), Rex, NetanAgent, GetAgent, Blinc.
- We only process personal data for specific purposes:
  a) As set out in Section 22 of this Policy; &
  b) For other purposes expressly permitted by GDPR; &
  c) For the purposes meeting any statutory obligation we have; &
  d) Complying with any other legal obligation.
- The purposes for which we process personal data will be informed to data subjects:
  a) Within our written Terms of Business;
  b) On our Website;
  c) Verbally at the time information is taken;
  d) As soon as possible after collection where it is obtained from a third party.
Adequate, Relevant and Limited Data Processing
We only collect and process personal data that is adequate, relevant and limited for to the extent necessary to provide the service we agreed or for the specific purpose(s) informed to the data subject.
Accuracy of Data and Keeping Data Up-To-Date We will ensure that all personal data collected and processed is accurate when collected. Then reviewed at intervals thereafter to ensure it remains up to date. Appropriate steps will be taken, in a timely manner, to amend or erase inaccurate or out-of-date data.
Timely Processing We will not keep personal data for any longer than is necessary, considering the 6 purposes for which that data was originally collected and processed. When the data is no longer required appropriate steps will be taken, in a timely manner, to erase the data.
Secure Processing
We will ensure that all personal data collected and processed is kept secure and protected against unauthorised or unlawful processing and against accidental loss, destruction or damage. Further details of the data protection and organisational measures which will be taken are provided in Parts 23 and 24 of this Policy.
Accountability
- We will retain written internal records of all personal data collected, held and processed, which will include the following information:
  a) The details of any third-party data controllers any third parties that will receive personal data from us;
  b) The purposes for which we process personal data;
  c) Details of the categories of personal data collected, held, and processed;
  d) Details of how long we will retain personal data;
  e) Details of the measures we take to ensure the security of personal data.
Privacy Impact Assessments
- We will carry out Privacy Impact Assessments when and as required under the GDPR. Privacy Impact Assessments will be managed by James Gorey and will address the following areas of importance:
  a) The purpose for which personal data is being held and processed and the processing operations that will be carried out;
  b) Confirmation of the legitimate interests we are pursuing;
  c) An assessment of the necessity and proportionality of the data processing, considering the purpose for which it is being processed;
  d) An assessment of the risks posed to individual data subjects and details of the measures in place to minimise and handle risks including safeguards, data security, and other measures and mechanisms to ensure the protection of personal data, sufficient to demonstrate compliance with the GDPR.
The Rights of Data Subjects
- The GDPR sets out the following rights applicable to data subjects:
  a) The right to be informed;
  b) The right of access;
  c) The right to rectification;
  d) The right to erasure (also known as the ‘right to be forgotten’);
  e) The right to restrict processing;
  f) The right to data portability;
  g) The right to object;
  h) Rights with respect to automated decision-making and profiling.
Keeping Data Subjects Informed
- We will ensure that the following information is provided to every data subject when personal data is collected:
  a) Details of the Company
  b) The purpose(s) for which the personal data is being collected and will be processed and the legal basis justifying that collection and processing;
  c) Where applicable, the legitimate interests we justify its collection and processing;
  d) Where the personal data is not obtained directly from the data subject, the categories of personal data collected and processed;
  e) Where the personal data is to be transferred to one or more third parties, details of those parties;
  f) Details of the length of time the personal data will be held by us (or, where there is no predetermined period, details of how that length of time will be determined);
  g) Details of the data subject’s rights under the Regulation;
  h) Details of the data subject’s right to withdraw their consent to the processing of their personal data at any time;
  i) Details of the data subject’s right to complain to the ICO;
  j) Details of any legal or contractual requirement or obligation necessitating the collection and processing of the personal data and details of any consequences for the data subject for failing to provide it;
  k) Details of any automated decision-making that will take place using the personal data (including but not limited to profiling), including information on how decisions will be made, the significance of those decisions and any consequences.
- The information set out above in Section 13.1 will be provided to the data subject –
  a) At the time of collection where we obtain the data ourselves; or
  b) At the time of the first communication, if the personal data is used to communicate with the data subject, or
  c) Before the personal data is disclosed, if it is to be disclosed to another party; or
  d) In any event, not more than one month after the date we obtained the personal data.
Data Subject Access
- A data subject may make a Subject Access Request (SAR) at any time to find out more about the personal data we hold about them. We will normally respond to a SAR within one month of receipt, or two months for complex and/or numerous requests, without delay. We will inform the data subject of the need for the extension, if appropriate.
- All SAR received must be forwarded to James Gorey
- We do not charge for the handling of normal SARs, but we reserve the right to charge a reasonable fee for additional copies of information already supplied to a data subject, and for requests that are manifestly unfounded or excessive, particularly where such requests are repetitive.
Rectification of Personal Data
- If we are informed by the data subject that personal data we hold is inaccurate or incomplete, and they request correction we will do so and confirm our actions with the data subject, normally, within one month of receipt the data subject’s notice, but this may be extended to two months in complex situations We will inform the data subject of the need for the extension, if appropriate.
- Where any disclosure of inaccurate data has been made to a third party we will advise the third party of the correction.
Erasure of Personal Data
- Data subjects can request that we erase the personal data we hold about them in the following circumstances:
  a) It is no longer necessary for us to hold that personal data for the purpose it was originally collected or processed;
  b) The data subject wishes to withdraw their consent to us to hold and process their personal data;
  c) The data subject objects to us holding and processing their personal data. Unless there is an overriding legitimate interest allowing us to continue to do so. (see Section 12 and 17 of this Policy for further details concerning data subjects’ rights to object);
  d) The personal data has been processed unlawfully;
  e) The personal data needs to be erased so that we can comply with a particular legal obligation.
- Unless we have reasonable grounds to refuse to erase personal data, all requests for erasure will be complied with, and the data subject informed within one month of receipt of the data subject’s request, but this may be extended to two months in complex situations We will inform the data subject of the need for the extension, if appropriate.
- If any personal data that is to be erased in response to a data subject request has been disclosed to third parties, we will inform those parties of the erasure, unless it is impossible or would require disproportionate effort to do so.
Restriction of Personal Data Processing
- Data subjects may request that we cease processing the personal data we hold about them. If a data subject makes such a request, we will retain only the amount of personal data pertaining to that data subject that is necessary to ensure that no further processing of their personal data takes place.
- If any affected personal data has been disclosed to third parties, those parties will be informed of the applicable restrictions on processing it, unless it is impossible or would require disproportionate effort to do so.
Data Portability
- We do process personal data using automated means.
- Where data subjects have given their consent to us to process their personal data in such a manner or the processing is otherwise required for the performance of a contract between us and the data subject, data subjects have the legal right under the GDPR to receive a copy of their personal data and to use it for other purposes (namely transmitting it to other data controllers, e.g. other organisations).
- To facilitate the right of data portability, we will make available all applicable personal data to data subjects in the following format: a) PDF b) Word/Excel
- If requested by a data subject, personal data will be sent directly to another data controller, if it is possible.
- All requests for copies of personal data will be provided within one month of receipt, or two months for complex and/or numerous requests, without delay. We will inform the data subject of the need for the extension, if appropriate.
Objections to Personal Data Processing
- Data subjects have the right to object to us processing their personal data based on legitimate interests (including profiling), direct marketing (including profiling).
- Where a data subject objects to us processing their personal data based on its legitimate interests, we will cease such processing forthwith, unless it can be 10 demonstrated that we have legitimate grounds for such processing and these override the data subject’s interests, rights and freedoms; or the processing is necessary for the conduct of legal claims.
- Where a data subject objects to us processing their personal data for direct marketing purposes, we will cease such processing forthwith.
Personal Data
- The following personal data may be collected, held, and processed by us in order to market directly to potential customers: a) Name b) Home address c) Contact telephone numbers d) Email address
- The following personal data may be collected, held, and processed by us from potential buyers and potential tenants: a) Name b) Home address c) Contact telephone numbers d) Email address e) Their current property situation f) Their property purchase/rental budget g) Their current property purchasing or renting financial position h) Their property purchase/rental preferences i) Copies of documents to confirm that funds are available to purchase properties
- The following personal data may be collected, held, and processed by us from our property selling clients: a) Name b) Home address c) Contact telephone numbers d) Email address e) Their properties value f) Full details of the property to be marketed g) Photographs of the property to be marketed h) Alarm codes and other security information where we are conducting viewings.
- The following personal data may be collected, held, and processed by us from our landlord clients: a) Name b) Home address c) Contact telephone numbers d) Email address e) Their properties rental value f) Full details of the property to be marketed g) Photographs of the property to be marketed h) Alarm codes and other security information where we are conducting viewing i) Official or other photographic identity confirmation j) Copies of appropriate documents to confirm home address
- The following personal data may be collected, held, and processed by us from applicants for tenancies and tenants: a) Name b) Home address c) Contact telephone numbers d) Email address e) The information required to complete a tenancy application (For this information see the sample application attached to this policy document)
- The following personal data may be collected, held, and processed by us from seller clients and buyers to meet our obligations under Money Laundering Regulations: a) Name b) Date of Birth c) Home address d) Period they have lived at their current property e) Official photographic identity confirmation f) Copies of appropriate documents to confirm home address g) Copies of documents to confirm that funds are available to purchase properties
- The following personal data may be collected, held, and processed by us from Tenants to meet our obligations under the Immigration Act 2014: a) Name b) Date of Birth c) Official photographic identity confirmation 12
- Photographs - Our managers, listers or other suitably trained staff may upload photographs of your property to our Website, and associated property portals and these will not be subject to your approval. These photographs will normally result in the identity of your address.
- Arranging viewings and making offers - When a prospective Purchaser or Tenant wishes to view a property they will contact us and suggest a convenient time and date to visit your property and once arranged, they will then be provided with a confirmation of the viewing together with the full name and address (unless we are conducting the viewings on your behalf) of the Seller or Landlord. Should the person who has viewed wish to make an offer they will be asked to do so via one of our offices. The Seller or Landlord will be provided with the name and address of the person who has made the offer together with details of their position as a Purchaser or Tenant (i.e. not on market, on market, sold, cash, mortgage position etc).
Data Protection Measures
- We follow strict security procedures to ensure that your personal information is not damaged, destroyed, or disclosed to a third party without your permission unless they are providing services, as outlined above and to prevent unauthorised access to it. The computers that store the information are password protected, as is the software that we use with restricted access and we use secure firewalls and other measures to restrict electronic access. If we are working with third parties we will require them to have in place similar measures to protect your Information. All of the information we collect or record is restricted to our offices. Only employees and licensees who need the information to perform a specific job are granted access to personally identifiable information. We will explicitly ask you when we need information to identify you. We may require you to co-operate with our security checks before we disclose information to you. You can update the personal information that you give us at any time by contacting us. We will retain your information for a reasonable period or for as long as is required by law.
- All our employees, agents, contractors, or other parties working on our behalf must comply with the following when working with personal data:
  a) All emails must be encrypted;
  b) Where any personal data, including copies, is to be erased or otherwise disposed of for any reason, it should be deleted and disposed of in a permanent and secure manner. Hardcopies should be shredded, and electronic copies should be professionally deleted;
  c) Personal data may be transmitted over secure networks only;
  d) Facsimile transmission of personal data is not permitted; 13
  e) Where Personal data is to be transferred in hardcopy form it should be passed directly to the recipient or sent by an appropriate delivery service after considering the type of data and security of delivery:
  f) No personal data may be shared informally and if an employee, agent, subcontractor, or other party working on our behalf requires access to any personal data that they do not already have access to, such access should be formally requested from James Gorey.

g) All hardcopies of personal data, along with any electronic copies stored on physical, removable media should be stored using an appropriate level of security;
h) No personal data may be transferred to any employees, agents, contractors, or other parties, whether such parties are working on our behalf without, our appropriate consent;
i) Personal data must always be handled with care and should not be left unattended or on view to unauthorised employees, agents, sub-contractors or other parties at any time;
j) If personal data is being viewed on a computer screen and the computer in question is to be left unattended for any period of time, the user must lock the computer and screen before leaving it;
k) No personal data should be stored on any mobile device (including, but not limited to, laptops, tablets and smartphones), whether such device belongs to us or otherwise, without our appropriate consent and in the event of such consent, strictly in accordance with all instructions and limitations described at the time the consent is given, and for no longer than is absolutely necessary;
l) No personal data should be transferred to any device personally belonging to an employee; m)Personal data may only be transferred to devices belonging to agents, contractors, or other parties working on our behalf with our appropriate consent;
n) All electronic copies of personal data should be stored securely using passwords and data encryption;
o) All passwords used to protect personal data should be changed regularly and should not use words or phrases that can be easily guessed or otherwise compromised. All the software we use requires passwords;
p) Under no circumstances should any passwords be written down or shared between any employees, agents, contractors, or other parties working on our behalf, irrespective of seniority or department. If a password is forgotten, it must be reset using the applicable method. IT staff do not have access to passwords;
q) All personal data stored electronically should be backed up at least every other day (if not daily) with backups stored via Rex (our software provider).
r) All backups are encrypted using cloud-based server systems.

Organisational Measures
- We will ensure that the following measures are taken when collecting, holding, and processing personal data:
  a) All employees, agents, contractors, or other parties working on our behalf will be made fully aware of both their individual responsibilities and our responsibilities under the GDPR and under this Policy, and they will be provided with a copy of this policy;
  b) Only employees, agents, sub-contractors, or other parties working on our behalf that need access to, and use of, personal data in order to carry out their assigned duties correctly will have access to personal data held by us;
  c) All employees, agents, contractors, or other parties working on our behalf handling personal data will be appropriately trained;
  d) All employees, agents, contractors, or other parties working on our behalf handling personal data will be appropriately supervised;
  e) Methods of collecting, holding and processing personal data will be regularly evaluated and reviewed;
  f) The performance of employees, agents, contractors, or other parties working on our behalf handling personal data will be regularly evaluated and reviewed;
Data Breach Notification
- All personal data breaches must be reported immediately to James Gorey.
- If a personal data breach occurs and that breach is likely to result in a risk to the rights and freedoms of data subjects (e.g. financial loss, breach of confidentiality, discrimination, reputational damage, or other significant social or economic damage), we will ensure that the Information Commissioner’s Office is informed of the breach without delay, and in any event, within 72 hours after having become aware of it.
- If a personal data breach is likely to result in a high risk (that is, a higher risk than that described under Part 25.2) to the rights and freedoms of data subjects, we will ensure that all affected data subjects are informed of the breach directly and without undue delay.
- Data breach notifications will include the following information:
  a) The categories and approximate number of data subjects concerned;
  b) The categories and approximate number of personal data records concerned;
  c) The name and contact details of James Gorey which is 20-22 Station Road, Sidcup, DA15 7EJ
  d) The likely consequences of the breach;
  e) Details of the measures we have taken or proposed to be taken to address the breach including, where appropriate, measures to mitigate its possible adverse effects.

Changes to the Policy

We may change this Policy from time to time as we add new services or features or in response to changes in the law or our commercial arrangements. Any changes to this Policy will be posted on our website jamesgorey.com

Cookie Policy
- Cookies are text files placed on your computer to collect standard internet log information and visitor behaviour information. This information is used to track visitor use of the website and to compile statistical reports on website activity.
- For further information visit aboutcookies.orgor www.allaboutcookies.org
- You can set your browser not to accept cookies and the above websites tell you how to remove cookies from your browser. However, in a few cases some of our website features may not function as a result.
- Cookies contain information that is transferred to your computer's hard drive.
- 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.
- We use the following cookies:

Strictly necessary cookies.These are cookies that are required for the operation of our website. They include, for example, cookies that enable you to log into secure areas of our website, use a shopping cart or make use of e-billing services.

Analytical or performance cookies. These allow us to recognise and count the number of visitors and to see how visitors move around our website when they are using it. This helps us to improve the way our website works, for example, by ensuring that users are finding what they are looking for easily.

Functionality cookies. These are used to recognise you when you return to our website. This enables us to personalise our content for you, greet you by name and remember your preferences (for example, your choice of language or region).

Marketing and Targeting cookies. These cookies record your visit to our website, the pages you have visited and the links you have followed. We will use this information to make our website and the advertising displayed on it more relevant to your interests. We may also share this information with third parties for this purpose.

You can block cookies by activating the setting on your browser that allows you to refuse the setting of all or some cookies. However, if you use your browser settings to block all cookies (including essential cookies) you may not be able to access all or parts of our website.
Please note that some third parties also use cookies, over which we have no control. These third parties may include, for example, advertising networks and providers of external services like web traffic analysis services. These third-party cookies are likely to be analytical cookies or performance cookies or targeting cookies. Examples of these companies are Facebook and Google.