Affordable Housing Scheme Privacy Notice

Who will own my data once I submit It?

We will own your data once it has been submitted.

Why do you need my information?

When we collect and use your information, we need this to:

• enable us to provide advice on housing options available to you
• check you are eligible for discount to market (DTM) as part of the affordable housing schemes.
• enable us to process your application for our affordable homes scheme
• keep you informed of affordable home ownership options
• enable us to demonstrate that you and/or a joint applicant meet all the relevant criteria outlined in the Section 106 legal agreement or planning consent documents, when applying for DTM housing
• ensure the correct decision is made for you when applying for DTM
• use your anonymised information to assess future demand for affordable housing

The information that we collect about you is:

• your name, address, and date of birth
• national identifiers such as passport details
• information about your family and household make up
• financial details, including income, savings, mortgage details and equity in your current home
• details about your current accommodation and suitability to meet your needs, this includes physical health status
• employment details in connection with local connection and income verification
• the IP address that you accessed our online application from

We also collect sensitive information about you called special category data. Special category data is defined as:

• physical or mental health details
• racial or ethnic origin
• religious or other beliefs of a similar nature
• biometric or genetic data

What allows you to use my Information?

When we collect and use your personal information to assess your eligibility for affordable housing, we do so under a contract with you. The legislation, policies and guidance that allow us to do this includes but is not limited to:

• General Data Protection Legislation Article 6 part b
• General Data Protection Legislation Article 9 Part g
• Equality Act 2005
• Growth and Infrastructure Act 2013
• Town and Country Planning Act 1990
• National Planning Policy Guidance 2012 (amended 2018)

Who will my information be shared with?

We will confirm your eligibility with the sales team/estate agent for the property you have applied for, and your solicitor who may require a certificate of compliance.

If you secure a Discounted Market Affordable Home, your details including how you meet the eligible person criteria will be kept until the property is sold to a new eligible owner and will be shared with the Planning Department to ensure compliance with planning obligations/agreements made as part of the original planning permission for the unit.

We also collect or receive information from external parties such as:

• housing developers
• Independent Financial Advisers (IFAs), banks and building societies
• The Land Registry
• applicants employer as necessary for local connection test purposes
• National Anti Fraud Network (NAFN)

Do I have to provide this information and what will happen if I don’t?

If you do not provide the information we will be unable to process your application.

How long will you keep this data for and why?

If you have applied for our affordable homes scheme but do not go on to purchase a property through the scheme we will dispose of your information and data two years after the application has been made.

If your application is successful and you go on to purchase a discount to market property your information will be held until you sell the property and destroyed securely after.

If you are on our affordable homes distribution list to receive updates on the affordable homes scheme and any other affordable home ownership options becoming available in the borough, you can choose to opt out of this at any time. Your information will be removed promptly so you do not receive any future emails.

How will my information be stored?

Your information is held securely on systems within our IT network.

What rights do I have when it comes to my data?

Under data protection legislation you have the right to request access to the information that we hold about you.

You can request a copy of your data or ask questions about how it is used via our Data Protection and Your Rights page and then submit your request by following your preferred method of contact in the 'How do I ask for my personal information' section.

In certain circumstances, under data protection legislation, you may also have the right to.

• have inaccurate personal data rectified, blocked, erased or destroyed
• prevent processing for the purpose of direct marketing
• right to receive your information in a machine readable portable format

To make a request follow the instructions on our Data protection for you page.

Who can I complain to if I am unhappy about how my data is used?

You can complain directly to our Data Protection team online or by post.

• Online: Contact the DPO
• By post: Data Protection Officer, The Portal, Wellington Road, Ellesmere Port, CH65 0BA

You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office using the following details:

• Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) website
• By post: The Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF
• Telephone: 08456 30 60 60

Will this information be used to take automated decisions about me?

No.

Will my data be transferred abroad and why?

No.