Privacy Policy

Who We Are

At House of Hilbre®, your privacy matters.
We’re a people-first estate agency, which means your trust is just as important to us as your move.

This policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal information when you engage with us - whether you're buying, selling, or just starting to explore your options.

House of Hilbre is based in West Kirby, Wirral, and acts as the data controller when handling your information.
We sometimes use trusted processors - such as DocuSign for secure forms and e-signatures - to keep your information safe and compliant with UK data protection law.

Our SmartMove framework also aligns with the UK’s new home-buying standards on digital verification, data handling, and transparency.

If you have any questions, just get in touch.

What We Collect (and Why)

We only collect the information we genuinely need to help you buy, sell, or move home. This may include:

• Your name
• Contact details (address, phone, email)
• Your buying or selling preferences
• Proof of ID (for legal and anti-money laundering checks)
• Financial or mortgage readiness information (where relevant)

We collect information when you:

• Fill out a form on our website
• Call or email us
• Book a viewing or valuation
• Use our services as a buyer or seller
   

How We Use Your Information

We use your information under lawful bases including:

• Legal obligation - e.g. ID and anti-money laundering checks.
• Contract - helping you buy or sell a property, arranging viewings, valuations, and managing secure document processes through DocuSign.
• Consent - sending property updates and news, if you’ve opted in.
• Legitimate interest - keeping buyers, sellers, and solicitors aligned to reduce delays.

We’ll never sell your data.
We only share it where necessary - for example, with your solicitor, mortgage broker, or where required by law.

Your Data

As part of our structured process (SmartMove), we may share relevant details - such as timelines or agreed Heads of Terms - with the other party’s solicitor or agent.

When forms or signatures are completed via DocuSign, we receive them securely through their encrypted platform.
This is limited to what’s needed to keep your move progressing smoothly and in line with the new national standards for digital transparency.
We’ll always tell you what’s being shared and why.

Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Ask what data we hold about you
• Correct or update your details
• Withdraw marketing consent
• Request deletion (unless required for legal reasons)
• Object to certain types of processing

To do any of the above, just contact us - we may ask for proof of ID to keep things secure.

Keeping Your Data Safe

We store your information securely using professional systems, including encrypted document services such as DocuSign, and take care to protect it from loss, misuse, or unauthorised access.
Our partners (such as legal teams or property platforms) must meet the same data protection standards.

How Long We Keep Things

We keep information only as long as necessary - typically up to six years for legal and tax purposes - and securely delete it afterwards.

Contact Us

If you’ve got any questions about your data or want to make a request, please contact us - we’re happy to help.

Still not happy?
If you’re ever dissatisfied with how we handle your information, you can raise it with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO): www.ico.org.uk