Rent Dodger Lives Here!

olly300

Neillgb wrote: »

Hear, hear!!!!

Lets not let the fact that people don't pay their debts/rent get in the way of the Data Protection Act.......I mean they might be embarrassed. Bless 'em.

It's a good idea to read the entire thread before posting.

Neillgb

abaxas wrote: »

Easy to fix.

Just get a 'suspected peadophile lives here' sign made. And stick it the LLs or EAs house when he/she's out.

That's it kick 'em when they're down. I mean they're not getting their rent paid so why not have them lynched to boot......

Neillgb

olly300 wrote: »

It's a good idea to read the entire thread before posting.

OK, enlighten me.

Perhaps I'm letting a sincere opinion which is transparent and not cryptic get in the way a technicality?

MrDT

being discussed on radio two right now

avinabacca

Dear Mr Avinabacca,

Thank you for your email of the 8 October 2008 about Sutton Estates. I have noted the two links you have provided to the BBC website and the website of Sutton Estates. Please note the change to your case reference number given above.

It appears you have already read the good practice note on our website ‘disclosing information about tenants’ and I have noted the particular text you have quoted.

Although the course of action taken by Sutton Estates in this instance does not actually name the tenant(s) in question, we feel it would be reasonable to assume that some people such as neighbours would know that tenant’s identity by relating it to the address of the property. As indicated by our good practice note, this type of action by a landlord would only be justified under the Data Protection Act (DPA) if some sort of legal action had been taken against the tenant(s).

Alternatively, Sutton Estates may decide to make this a term and condition of any tenancy with them. I assume this is not currently the case and therefore it may be that the tenant(s) in question have not received adequate fair processing information.

The First Data Protection principle states that:-

“Personal data shall be processed fairly and lawfully and, in particular, shall not be processed unless –

(a) at least one of the conditions in Schedule 2 is met, and
(b) in the case of sensitive personal data, at least one of the conditions in Schedule 3 is also met.”

This introduces the requirement that, in a situation like this, the data controller must ensure, so far as practicable, that the data subjects have, the following fair processing information:-

(a) the identity of the data controller
(b) the purpose or purposes for which the data are intended to be processed; and
(c) any further information which is necessary, taking into account the specific circumstances in which the data are or are to be processed, to enable processing in respect of the data subject to be fair.
It may be that Sutton Estates processing of personal data is not fully compliant with the provisions of the DPA. I will therefore write to them to recommend the steps they should take to help ensure future compliance with the DPA.
As I have enough information to take this forward with Sutton Estates, I do not think I will need to write to you again about this matter. If, however, you need to contact us again about it, please be sure to quote the above reference number.
Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.
Yours sincerely

xxx xxx,
Casework & Advice Officer


It's nice to know that these things are taken at least moderately seriously - pleased to get this response (although Sutton Estates themselves'll probably have folded by now).

Good work, Casework & Advice Officer "xxx xxx"!