Empty properties privacy notice
Who we are and what we do
We are the Empty Property Service which is part of the Place Directorate at Redbridge Council. Our role is to work with owners of empty properties to assist in bringing them back into use. This includes providing advice and access to financial assistance, such as a grant towards eligible building work.
Where owners are reluctant or unable to return a property to occupation, we may use legal powers to require this.
We carry out proactive work as well as responding to referrals from the community and from other Council services.
Our address is:
London Borough of Redbridge
10th Floor Lynton House
255-259 High Road
Ilford IG1 1NY
Why we need your information and how we use it
As an owner or person responsible for an empty property, we need your information to identify empty homes and to take steps to bring those vacant dwellings back into use. (S85 Local Government Act 2003). The lawful basis for processing your data is the public task justification.
We may contact you to check the status of the property and to outline the ways in which we can assist in returning the property to use, as well as to highlight the sanctions we may impose where owners are reluctant or unable to do this.
We may contact you from time to time if we feel: there are developments in the law you need to be aware of; we have information that may benefit you; or we would like consult with you about a new policy or procedure.
We will contact you for updates regarding returning the property to use.
Where you are applying for an Empty Property Grant, we need the information so we can process your application.
What type of information is collected from you
We collect information about your name, address, and details of the property which is empty such as the type of property, its size and its condition. We also collect information on how the property has become empty and why it has remained so.
Where you are applying for an Empty Property Grant we will collect additional information such as date of birth, National Insurance number and financial information.
Who your information may be shared with (internally and externally)
We may also be obligated to share your personal details with other organisations, partner agencies and external regulatory partners, including Council Tax, Planning, Enforcement Team, Housing Standards, Environmental Health, Police, Fire Brigade, HMRC for purposes of law enforcement and fraud and for the prevention or detection of crime, the capture or prosecution of offenders; and the assessment or collection of tax or duty under Part 3 of the Data Protection Act 2018.
How long we keep your information
We are required to keep your information for a minimum of 7 years after the property comes back into use after which time it will be destroyed.
Where you have been awarded an Empty Property Grant your information is kept for the lifetime of any grant conditions.
Business Intelligence, Profiling and Automated-Decision making
Please see the relevant section of the Corporate Privacy Notice
Protecting your information
Please see the relevant section of the Corporate Privacy Notice
How you can access, update or correct your information
The Data Protection law gives you the right to apply for a copy of information about yourself. This is called a ‘Subject Access Request'. Find out more on how to make a Subject Access Request.
The accuracy of your information is important to us to be able to provide relevant services more quickly. We are working to make our record keeping more efficient. In the meantime, if you change your address or email address, or if any of your circumstances change or any of the other information we hold is inaccurate or out of date, please email us at EmptyPropertyEnquiries@redbridge.gov.uk , or write to us at:
London Borough of Redbridge
10th Floor Lynton House
255-259 High Road
Ilford IG1 1NY
Your information choice and rights
Please see the relevant section of the Corporate Privacy Notice
Information Commissioner’s Office
Please see the relevant section of the Corporate Privacy Notice
