Any landlords on here?

Comms69

wombat2002 wrote: »

I have a friend who is renting a flat and he's always worried about doing things to the letter of the law,he has another worry today and says he's concerned about data protection with regards to having his tenants e mail address and phone number of which he needs to communicate with from his phone and tablet,he's worried about new laws that came in to effect in March 2018 concerning the storage and handling of personal details,does anyone know anything about this and perhaps what he should do,many thanks

There is no need to be concerned - there is legitimate reason to hold the details and holding them on a phone for example is perfectly secure.

PippyLS

Yes you do need to be registered with the ico. Or at least I did. I use the personal details for credit reference and for property management. It is a yearly registration, and costs £40/year, however this goes to £35/year if done by direct debit.

Comms69

PippyLS wrote: »

Yes you do need to be registered with the ico. Or at least I did. I use the personal details for credit reference and for property management. It is a yearly registration, and costs £40/year, however this goes to £35/year if done by direct debit.

I'm not sure that the OP would need to simply for contact details.

PippyLS

Comms69...
You could be correct if some one else is doing credit checks and managing the tenancy for the OPs friend.


There is a link in the below which gives you the options of self assessing whether you need it or not. Mine said I needed it.


https://ico.org.uk/media/for-organisations/documents/2259094/dp-fee-guide-for-controllers-20180601.pdf

Comms69

PippyLS wrote: »

Comms69...
You could be correct if some one else is doing credit checks and managing the tenancy for the OPs friend.


There is a link in the below which gives you the options of self assessing whether you need it or not. Mine said I needed it.


https://ico.org.uk/media/for-organisations/documents/2259094/dp-fee-guide-for-controllers-20180601.pdf

I don't think running the tenancy would actually be a factor. The information that the LL holds would be his/her own anyway. e.g. copy of tenancy, copy of gas safety, copy of deposit protection etc. - all info the landlord is entitled to hold as it is theirs.


The credit check might be though.

Rosemary7391

I think it would be the credit check bit. Just keeping track of rent payments and holding the contact details wouldn't need registration. People should check the advice for themselves though

Davesnave

Laws are one thing, but enforcement's another matter altogether.

In the case of small-scale landlords with a property or two, exercising due diligence over storing simple contact data and erasing it when no longer applicable, is there a risk of someone coming after them and successfully proving non-compliance or winning compensation?

Is it really worth £35-40 a year?

Rosemary7391

Davesnave wrote: »

Laws are one thing, but enforcement's another matter altogether.

In the case of small-scale landlords with a property or two, exercising due diligence over storing simple contact data and erasing it when no longer applicable, is there a risk of someone coming after them and successfully proving non-compliance or winning compensation?

Is it really worth £35-40 a year?

No - but a tenant miffed that LL just stuck their ID documents in the recycling after a credit check might, especially if it led to identity theft. Which I assume is why credit check requires registration but contact details doesn't.

PippyLS

It's not just credit checks. When renting the 'right to rent' checks give a lot of information, which could include copies of passport and visa details.
Most landlords also have previous address for references etc, bank details for setting up standing orders, guarantor details if required, and I'm sure there are probably a few more in there that I don't have in front of me.

As stated earlier Is it really worth the worry and looking over your should for £35/ year. (Sorry Rosemary cooking tea and I haven't managed to work out copy and paste on tablet yet)