Estate and letting agents are being advised to strengthen their approach to Data Subject Access Requests (DSARs) as consumer awareness of personal data rights increases. This places greater compliance obligations on property professionals.
Paul Offley, Group Compliance Officer at The Guild of Property Professionals, has reported an increase in both the volume and complexity of requests from individuals seeking access to their personal information held by agencies. He noted that requests can be particularly complex when agencies have long-standing client relationships.
Under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), individuals have the right to request access to their personal data. For property agents, this can include emails, property records, viewing notes, and other related information. Responding appropriately involves identifying relevant personal data, considering the rights of others, applying exemptions, and ensuring secure disclosure within statutory timeframes.
Offley highlighted that all staff, from frontline negotiators to branch managers, have a role in recognising and passing on these requests. He recommends that agencies review existing processes, implement clear procedures, and provide staff training to manage DSARs effectively.