Privacy Policy
1. Scope of this Privacy Notice
This privacy policy covers the treatment of personal data covered by Searches Direct via a website owned & operated by Searches Direct.
This Privacy Notice applies to Searches Direct Lancashire Limited's ("We", "Us", or "Our") processing of personal data. It does not apply to third-party websites that may be linked from our website. We recommend that you review the privacy notices of any third-party websites you visit.
Registered Office: Searches Direct, Suite 507, Daisyfield Business Centre, Appleby Street, Blackburn, BB1 3BL
Data Protection Email: info@searchesdirect.co.uk
2. Collection and Use of Personal Data & Lawful Bases
You can visit the websites of Searches Direct without voluntarily submitting personal contact details. However, Searches Direct needs certain personal data if you wish to submit an enquiry, register for a newsletter, or receive or use certain Searches Direct services.
We process your personal data under the following lawful bases:
Contractual Necessity: Where we collect your personal contact information and/or company contact information to reply to your enquiries, provide requested products or conveyancing services, and set up your member’s account.
Legal and Regulatory Obligations: Where processing is necessary to comply with applicable laws, regulations, and statutory requirements governing our business operations and financial records.
Legitimate Interests: To contact you regarding related products and services that may benefit your business, improve our services, and maintain the operational security of our systems.
Consent: Where you explicitly opt in to receive marketing communications or non-essential cookies. You may withdraw your consent at any time.
3. Online Identifiers (IP Addresses & Cookies)
Searches Direct automatically receives and records information on our server logs from your browser, including your IP address, cookie identifiers, and requested pages.
Under UK GDPR, IP addresses and online identifiers are treated as personal data where they can directly or indirectly identify an individual. We use this information to customise content, protect system security, and fulfil product requests under our legitimate interest to run a secure and effective website.
4. Information Sharing and Categories of Recipients
Searches Direct does not sell your personal data. We share personal data only with the following categories of recipients where necessary:
IT and Infrastructure Providers: Cloud hosting, website infrastructure, and IT support service providers.
Legal & Conveyancing Partners: Third-party providers required to fulfil specific search requests or property enquiries.
Professional Advisers: Auditors, legal counsel, and compliance advisers.
Legal & Regulatory Authorities: When required to respond to court orders, subpoenas, legal processes, or to protect user safety and defend our legal rights.
5. International Data Transfers
We store and process your personal data primarily within the UK. Where we use third-party service providers that transfer personal data outside the UK (e.g., cloud services), we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, such as UK International Data Transfer Agreements (IDTAs) or UK Addendums to the EU Standard Contractual Clauses, ensuring your data receives an equivalent level of protection.
6. Data Retention
Searches Direct will only keep Personal Data for as long as it is necessary to continue providing our products and services to You and/or to fulfil our legal and regulatory obligations.
The specific retention period for your personal information will depend on the relationship you have with us and the reasons we hold your personal information.
For further information on our retention periods, please contact our Compliance Officer using the details in the "Who to Contact" section below.
7. Data Subject Rights
You have a number of rights in relation to the information We hold about You. These include:
The right to ask for a copy of the Personal Data We hold about You, subject to certain exemptions;
The right to ask Us to update or correct Your Personal Data to keep it accurate;
The right to withdraw any permission You have previously provided;
The right to ask Us to delete Your Personal Data from our records if it is no longer needed for the original purpose;
The right to ask Us to restrict the use of Your Personal Data in certain circumstances;
The right to object to the use of Your Personal Data; and
The right to complain about how We handle Your Personal Data (see ‘Who to Contact’ below).
Please note that there are times when We will not be able to delete Your Personal Data. This may be as a result of a requirement to fulfil Our legal and regulatory obligations, or where there is a minimum statutory period of time for which We have to keep Your Personal Data. If We are unable to fulfil a request, We will always let You know our reasons.
Automated Decision-Making:
Regarding automated decision making, we may use automated tools to help us assess risk and to carry out fraud, sanctions and credit checks. However, we do not make decisions that produce legal effects for You, or similarly significantly affect You, based solely on automated processing without meaningful human involvement. Where automated tools are used, a member of our staff reviews the outcome before any such decision is taken. We do not carry out profiling.
8. Internal Complaints & Who to Contact
If You wish to exercise any of Your rights or have any queries or complaints about how We use Your Personal Data, please contact our Compliance Officer at:
Email: info@searchesdirect.co.uk
Post: Data Protection Officer, Searches Direct Lancashire Limited, Suite 507, Daisyfield Business Centre, Appleby Street, Blackburn, BB1 3BL
Complaints Procedure & Timelines:
Acknowledgment: Within 5 working days of receiving your complaint.
Initial/Full Response: Normally dealt with fully with a written final response within 20 working days.
Maximum Extension: If more time is needed, updates will be provided, with a strict final written response deadline of 40 working days at the latest.
We will consider Your request and either comply with it or explain why We are not able to. Please note, We may request evidence of Your identity to process Your request.
9. Regulator & Ombudsman Escalation
If you remain unsatisfied with our response, or if you believe our processing of your personal data infringes UK data protection law, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the UK supervisory authority:
Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)
Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF
Helpline: 0303 123 1113
Website: www.ico.org.uk
Escalation to The Property Ombudsman (TPOs):
If you are unsatisfied with the final response or if response timescales are exceeded, you can escalate the matter to The Property Ombudsman (TPOs):
Telephone: 01722 333306
Email: admin@tpos.co.uk
10. Security
Searches Direct protects your information using industry-standard SSL encryption for data transmissions, access control procedures, network firewalls, and physical security measures.
11. Changes & Contact
Changes to this Privacy Policy:
Searches Direct may amend this policy from time to time. Please review this policy periodically.
Questions or Suggestions:
If you have questions or suggestions about this privacy policy, or your own personal data, please email us at info@searchesdirect.co.uk