Privacy Policy - Haringey Removals

Haringey Removals is committed to protecting your personal data and respecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, share, and protect personal information when we provide removal services, quote for services, or otherwise interact with customers in the Haringey area. This policy applies to all Haringey Removals customers in area, including individuals, households, landlords, tenants, businesses, and anyone who requests or receives our services.

1. Who we are

For the purposes of data protection law, Haringey Removals acts as a data controller for the personal data we collect and use in connection with our services. This means we decide how and why your personal data is processed. We take our responsibilities under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018 seriously and aim to process personal information lawfully, fairly, and transparently.

2. Information we collect

We may collect and process the following categories of personal data:

Identity details such as your name and title.
Contact details such as your address, email address, and telephone number.
Service information such as pickup and delivery addresses, moving dates, property access details, inventory lists, and service preferences.
Payment and billing information such as payment records, invoicing information, and transaction references.
Communication records including emails, messages, notes from calls, and complaints or feedback.
Special instructions relevant to the removal service, for example handling of fragile items, access arrangements, or building restrictions.
Technical information if you interact with our digital systems, such as basic device or usage information used for security and performance purposes.

We do not intentionally collect more information than is necessary for the service being provided. If we ever need to process more sensitive information, we will only do so where permitted by law and where it is necessary for a legitimate service purpose.

3. How we use your information

We use personal data for the following purposes:

To provide quotes and assess service requirements.
To arrange, manage, and complete removals and related services.
To communicate with you before, during, and after a service.
To process payments, issue invoices, and maintain accounts.
To record service instructions and ensure safe handling of items.
To handle complaints, disputes, and insurance-related queries.
To maintain security, prevent fraud, and protect our business operations.
To comply with legal and regulatory obligations.

We only use your personal data where we have a valid legal reason to do so and only for purposes that are compatible with the original reason for collection.

4. Lawful basis for processing

Under data protection law, we must have a lawful basis for processing your personal data. Depending on the context, Haringey Removals may rely on one or more of the following bases:

Contract: where processing is necessary to provide a quote, deliver removal services, take payment, or fulfil our agreement with you.
Legal obligation: where we must retain or disclose information to comply with tax, accounting, safety, or other legal requirements.
Legitimate interests: where processing is necessary for our legitimate business interests, such as improving services, maintaining records, preventing fraud, and managing customer communications, provided your rights do not override those interests.
Consent: where we ask for your permission for specific activities and where consent is the appropriate lawful basis.

If we rely on consent, you may withdraw it at any time. This will not affect the lawfulness of processing carried out before withdrawal.

5. Sharing your personal data

We may share your information with trusted third parties where necessary for service delivery, legal compliance, or business operations. These recipients may include:

Payment service providers who process transactions securely.
IT and system providers who support our communications, record keeping, and data storage.
Professional advisers such as accountants, insurers, or legal advisers where necessary.
Subcontractors or service partners involved in carrying out parts of the removal service.
Public authorities where disclosure is required by law or necessary to protect rights, safety, or property.

We require processors and service providers to handle personal data securely and only in accordance with our instructions and applicable data protection law. We do not sell your personal data.

6. Processors and data security

Where we use third-party processors, they act only on our documented instructions and are required to implement appropriate technical and organisational security measures. These measures may include access controls, encryption, secure storage, staff confidentiality obligations, and restricted permissions.

We take reasonable steps to protect personal data against loss, misuse, unauthorised access, alteration, or disclosure. While no system can be guaranteed as completely secure, we regularly review our practices to reduce risk and maintain confidentiality.

7. Data retention

We keep personal data only for as long as necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, including the need to satisfy legal, accounting, insurance, and record-keeping obligations. Retention periods may vary depending on the nature of the data and the service provided.

In general, we may retain:

Customer and service records for the period needed to manage the service relationship and resolve any follow-up issues.
Financial and transaction records for the period required by tax and accounting laws.
Complaint and claim records for the time necessary to address the matter and defend legal rights if needed.
Technical or security logs for a limited period needed for safeguarding and system administration.

When personal data is no longer required, we will delete it securely or anonymise it so that it can no longer identify you.

8. Your rights

As a data subject, you have a number of rights under UK data protection law. These may include:

The right to be informed about how your data is used.
The right of access to request a copy of your personal data.
The right to rectification if information we hold is inaccurate or incomplete.
The right to erasure in certain circumstances, sometimes called the right to be forgotten.
The right to restrict processing in certain situations.
The right to data portability where applicable.
The right to object to processing based on legitimate interests or direct marketing.
Rights relating to automated decision-making, where relevant.

Some rights are subject to legal exceptions and may not always apply in every case. We will respond to valid requests in accordance with applicable law and within the required timeframes.

9. Marketing communications

We may send service-related messages where necessary to arrange or complete a removal. We will only send marketing communications where permitted by law and, where required, with your consent. You may object to marketing at any time. This will not affect essential service communications.

10. International transfers

Where personal data is transferred outside the UK, we will ensure appropriate safeguards are in place so that your information remains protected in line with data protection law. These safeguards may include adequacy regulations, contractual protections, or other lawful transfer mechanisms.

11. Children’s data

Our services are not directed at children. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children unless it is necessary in the context of a household move and provided by an adult customer or lawful representative. If we become aware that we have collected child-related data without a valid reason, we will take appropriate steps to delete or protect it.

12. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our services, legal obligations, or operational practices. The latest version will apply from the date it is made available. We encourage customers to review it periodically so they remain informed about how their data is handled.

13. How we protect your rights

We aim to process all personal data in a manner that is lawful, fair, and transparent. We also follow the principles of purpose limitation, data minimisation, accuracy, storage limitation, integrity, and confidentiality. If you exercise any of your rights, we will assess the request carefully and respond appropriately.

Haringey Removals recognises that trust is essential when handling personal data in connection with home and business moves. We therefore work to ensure that information is used only where needed, retained only as long as necessary, and shared only with appropriate safeguards in place.

Summary of key points

We collect only the information needed to provide removal services and manage customer relationships.
We process data on the basis of contract, legal obligation, legitimate interests, or consent.
We retain personal data only for as long as necessary and then delete or anonymise it.
We use trusted processors under strict security and confidentiality obligations.
You have rights over your personal data, including access, correction, deletion, objection, and restriction in certain circumstances.

Effective for all Haringey Removals customers in area.