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Private Sector Housing privacy notice

Who we are and what do we do

We are the private sector housing team. We are part of the Housing, Environment and Healthy Communities directorate at Gateshead Council. Our role is to help people live a better life by improving the housing conditions of residents in the borough.

We enforce legislation in relation to the conditions of homes in the borough. We carry out proactive work as well as responding to complaints from tenants and neighbours. We also support landlords to ensure that all privately rented properties in Gateshead are well managed and safe for their occupants.

We inspect and license properties under Mandatory and Selective Licensing schemes. We tackle noise and antisocial behaviour. We also work to prevent homelessness, bring empty properties back into use, tackle public health issues such as drainage, accumulations of waste, premises open to access, hoarding and processing grants and loans.  

Our address is:

Private Sector Housing Team
Housing, Environment and Healthy Communities
Civic Centre
Regent Street
Gateshead
NE8 1HH

0191 433 3000
privatesectorhousingcivic@gateshead.gov.uk

Why we need your information and how we use it

We need information from you so that we can respond to your request for service and keep you informed as part of any investigation. We also need your information to issue you with licences and to provide grants and loans.

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 also contact you before licence renewal dates to ensure your property remains licensed.

What type of information is collected from you

Depending on the circumstances, we collect information about your name, address, date of birth, telephone numbers, email addresses, details of other properties that you are licensing or applying for grants or loans.

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 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 schedule 2 of Data Protection Act 2018.

How long we keep your information

We are required to keep your information for a minimum of 6 years after which time it will be destroyed. This can be longer in certain circumstances particularly if your details are held in relation to grants and loans.

Your information we use for marketing purposes will be kept with us until you notify us that you no longer wish to receive this information.

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 via our contact page

Your information choice and rights

Please see the relevant section of the Corporate Privacy Notice.

Information Commissioner's Office

The Information Commissioner is the UK's independent body set up to uphold information rights.

If you would like to know more about your rights under the Data Protection law, and what you should expect from us, visit the Information Commissioner's website.

If you have any concerns regarding our privacy practices or about exercising your Data Protection rights, you may contact the Information Commissioner's Office:

Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF

0303 123 1113 or 01625 545 745
casework@ico.org.uk