Privacy Policy

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Who we are

Housing Direct ("we", "us") operates a marketplace that connects local authorities, private landlords and letting agents to place households into suitable, compliant homes. We are the data controller for the personal information described in this policy unless stated otherwise.

Registered in England & Wales. Contact: privacy@housingdirect.co.uk.

Information we collect

We collect information you give us, information created as you use the platform, and information from third parties used to verify accounts.

You provide

Account & profile details (name, work email, phone, organisation, role)
Verification documents (ID, company and right-to-operate documents)
Property listings, certificates and related documents
Booking requests, messages and occupant details

Collected automatically

Device, browser and log data
Usage and audit events (searches, requests, approvals)
Cookies and similar technologies: see our Cookie Policy

How we use your information

We use personal information to provide and secure the service, verify accounts, match councils with suitable stock, process bookings, enforce compliance, provide support, and meet our legal obligations.

Legal bases for processing

Under UK GDPR we rely on: contract (to provide the service to account holders), legitimate interests (to secure and improve the platform and prevent fraud), legal obligation (record-keeping and compliance), and consent (non-essential cookies and marketing, which you can withdraw at any time).

Household & occupant data

Household and occupant details are sensitive. They are shared only with the specific landlord or housing team on a confirmed booking, on a strict need-to-know basis, and every access is recorded in an immutable audit log.

Data retention

We keep personal information only as long as necessary for the purposes set out here, to meet legal and audit obligations, and to resolve disputes. Retention periods vary by record type; audit logs are retained for the statutory period applicable to public-sector placements.

Your rights

You have the right to access, rectify, erase, restrict or object to processing, and to data portability. To exercise any right, contact privacy@housingdirect.co.uk. You may also complain to the UK Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).

Security

We protect your information with encryption in transit and at rest, role-based access controls, and continuous monitoring. We are Cyber Essentials certified and align to ISO 27001. See Data Protection & UK GDPR for more.

International transfers

Household data is stored in the UK. Where any processing occurs outside the UK, we use appropriate safeguards such as the UK International Data Transfer Agreement or adequacy regulations.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. Material changes will be notified in-product or by email. The "last updated" date above reflects the current version.

Contact us

Questions about this policy or your data? Email privacy@housingdirect.co.uk or write to our Data Protection Officer at the registered address.