Privacy Statement
At Morton Blair, we take the protection of any personal data we hold seriously. This document provides information on the type of personal data we hold, our reasons for holding it, how we collect the data, who has access to it, how long we hold it for and your rights in relation to the data we hold on you.
What personal data do we collect?
We only collect personal information from people who are directly involved in the survey and valuation services we are providing. In these cases, the information we hold on you is likely to include your full name, address, phone numbers, email address and sometimes your mortgage application number. On occasion, but only if provided directly by you, we may also hold your bank account details.
When someone visits www.mortonblair.com we use a third party service, Google Analytics, to collect standard internet log information and details of visitor behaviour patterns. This information is only processed in a way which does not identify anyone.
How do we use your data?
We hold this data in order to carry out all activities relating to the provision of residential survey and valuation services. For example, this can include sending documents or reports to you by post or email, phoning you to arrange access to a property, providing a valuation report to your mortgage lender or refunding a fee to your bank account. Without this information, we are unable to provide you with these services.
What are our lawful bases for processing your data?
By law, we are required to have valid lawful bases for processing your data. The bases may differ depending on how we obtained your data and why we are processing it.
If you are a client who has instructed us to carry out a survey or valuation on your behalf or a mortgage applicant whose bank has instructed us to provide survey and valuation services, we are processing your data on the basis of Contract. We require the information in order to fulfil our contractual duty to you OR require it to carry out something you have asked us to do prior to entering into contract.
If you are a mortgage applicant or client who has instructed us to carry out a survey or valuation on your behalf we may also process your data on the basis of Legal Obligation. This is in the event that a professional negligence claim is brought against the firm and the information is necessary in the course of the resultant investigation.
If you are selling a property, we are processing your data on the basis of Legitimate Interest. We require the information in order to provide a survey or valuation on your property, without it we would not be able to provide the service, and it is also for your benefit that we process the data.
How do we collect the data?
There are a number of ways in which we collect your data. You may provide it to us directly in the course of instructing us to carry out a survey or facilitate a refund, we may be sent your data by a Panel Management company who have instructed us to carry out a valuation for your mortgage lender, or we may have been given your name, phone number and occasionally email address by an estate agent in order to arrange access to a property you are selling.
Who has access to my data?
Your data is held securely and is generally accessed only by partners and employees of Morton Blair who require it in order to fulfil their duties relating to survey and valuation services. However, on occasion, it may be necessary to provide your data to third parties. These are limited to regulatory bodies, legal representatives, insurers and Ombudsman services.
How long to you keep my data?
Due to the possibility of future professional negligence claims, data is retained for 15 years in line with guidance from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. However, the exception is any bank account details you have provided which are deleted as soon as they are no longer required.
What are my rights in relation to the data you hold on me?
You have the right to request to access, correct and (unless we hold the data on the basis of Legal Obligation) erase the information we hold on you. If you would like to do this, please contact the data controller below.
Who controls your personal data and how you can contact them?
Morton Blair control your personal data. Any questions or concerns you have regarding your personal data can be addressed to our data controller:
Frances Morton
Morton Blair LLP
The Whin Barn
25 Caherty Road
Broughshane
BT42 4QA
T: 028 2502 2222
E: fmorton@mortonblair.com
We review our Privacy Statement on a regular basis. This copy was last updated 23rd May 2018.