Thousands of agents are flouting the privacy protection law

Thousands of estate agents and letting agents could be unknowingly breaking official privacy laws, according to Privacy watchdog.

The Information Commissioner’s Offices believe that a large number of estate agents are failing to notify them that they are handling customer’s personal information.

Under the Data Protection Act it is necessary for all organisations handling personal information to tell the ICO (Information Commissioner’s Offices). As property agents routinely process personal data, such as private financial information, the ICO warn that agents need to notify them as a matter of urgency.

Currently only as few as 3,734 estate agents out of an estimated 12,000 in the UK and only 1,416 of lettings agents appear on the ICO’s public register, making up only a tiny proportion of the industry.

Mick Gorrill, head of enforcement at the ICO, said: ‘We want to work with the industry to ensure all property agents meet the legal requirement to notify us that they are processing personal information. A targeted approach working with stakeholders and membership bodies has proved highly successful in other sectors. We will be writing to organisations providing them with advice and encouragement to notify.’

‘However, if that encouragement is ignored, we will take action against those who flout the law. The message is very clear – notify with the ICO or face regulatory action.’