As the controller of your data, Mortgage Knight Ltd complies with and is registered under the Data Protection laws in the United Kingdom. We take all reasonable care to prevent any unauthorised access to and use of your personal information.
Why do we collect your personal information?
We collect personal information about you in order to:
Process your application for a mortgage or protection product;
To review your mortgage or protection product as part of an on-going client relationship with us as your broker;
To respond to complaints and case enquiries.
Your personal information is required to enter into any contract you may undertake with us as your broker for a mortgage or protection product, and for us to provide information on relevant products and services. Without this information, it would not be possible for us to provide these services.
The personal information we collect
Personal information collected include:
Your name
Your date of birth
Postal and email address
Telephone contact details
Employment details
Financial information (bank statements, income & expenditure details, debit card details, savings, debts such as loans and credit cards, other assets, and employer & pension benefits)
Special categories of personal data such as medical history for protection products
Other related information to support your application and confirm your identity (such as UK residency status, retirement age)
The majority of this personal information is collected by our mortgage advisors when completing our fact find for a mortgage or protection product, from our mortgage administrators as part of our internal compliance checks or from the enquiry form on our website.
How do we use your personal information?
As your broker, we use your personal information to discuss your personal circumstances with mortgage lenders and/or protection providers, in order to determine the most appropriate product for your needs.
The personal information you provide may be used by automated decision-making systems to check your eligibility for products and services. A lender may then undertake credit enquiries upon receipt of your mortgage application.
Your personal information may be shared with Mortgage Knight Ltd approved contractors or agents, in order to maintain the customer relationship by providing continuing advice as your broker and to inform you about relevant products and services.
Who we disclose personal information to
We disclose personal information to third parties such as lenders and protection product suppliers, but only to what is necessary to conclude the mortgage and/or protection contracts and the ongoing servicing of these contracts.
It may also be necessary to share your personal information with non-affiliated companies who perform support services on our behalf including those that provide professional, legal or accounting advice to Mortgage Knight Ltd
These companies are required to ensure appropriate security measures are in place and maintain the confidentiality of your information, and to use your personal information only in the course of providing such services as specified by Mortgage Knight Ltd
Finally, under limited circumstances, your personal information may be disclosed to third parties as permitted by, or to comply with, applicable laws and regulations, for instance, to meet our obligations to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and when responding to subject access requests, proceedings of a court of law or similar legal process, to protect against fraud, and to otherwise cooperate with law enforcement or regulatory authorities.
The personal information you provide will not be passed to any third-party organisation for marketing purposes.
Personal information and marketing purposes
You will have the opportunity to indicate if you wish to receive communications from Mortgage Knight Ltd about relevant services and products, together with other marketing communications when you provide your personal information.
If you subsequently want Mortgage Knight Ltd to cease using your personal information for these purposes, please contact our team at [email protected]
If you subsequently want Mortgage Knight Ltd to cease using your personal information for these purposes, please contact our team at [email protected]
Cookies
What cookies Mortgage Knight Ltd use and why
Cookies are small text files, which often include a unique identifier that is sent by a web server to your computer, mobile phone or any other internet enabled device (“device”) when you visit a website. Cookies are widely used in order to make websites work efficiently and help provide us with business and marketing information to enable us to make informed decisions on the development of our websites.
We use three main types of cookies
‘Performance’ cookies
These help us see how you use our website e.g. which pages you visit. These cookies don’t collect any information that could identify you – all the information collected is anonymous and is only used to help us improve the performance of our website, understand what interests our users and measure how effective our advertising is.
We use performance cookies to:
Analyse the performance of our website
Help us improve the website by measuring any errors that occur
See how effective our adverts are (this isn’t shared with 3rd parties).
Sometimes cookies are managed for us by third parties, but we don’t allow the third party to use the cookies for any purpose other than those listed above.
By using our site you accept the use of ‘Performance’ cookies.
‘Identification’ cookies
These are used to help us customise website content based upon your selections.
We use identification cookies to:
Remember choices you have made such as identifying yourself as an IFA or Adviser.
Show you when you’re logged in to the website.
Target you with adverts on other websites
You can control whether or not these cookies are used, but preventing them may mean you are unable to access certain features or services. Preventing these cookies may stop us remembering that you didn’t want a specific feature or service.
By using our site you accept the use of ‘Identification’ cookies.
‘Targeting’ cookies
These are used to send you relevant information and see which content you use.
We use targeting cookies to:
Send you customised news content via email
Track which content you use.
Target you with adverts on other websites
By using our site you accept the use of ‘Targeting’ cookies.
Third party cookies
There are a number of third parties which provide Mortgage Knight Ltd with content and functionality on our website, some of these providers will use cookies to ensure the particular areas of the site work.
The site also has Social Interaction links (such as Facebook or Twitter). Mortgage Knight Ltd does not control any cookies that may be sent when using these external websites. For more information on these, it is advised to check their cookie policies.
How to withdraw consent to, control and/or delete cookies
It is possible to remove cookies or block them from recording this information. This is generally found in the Options menu then Privacy section of your particular browser. Each browser is slightly different and constantly updating. For more information consult the Help menu of your browser.
This information has been provided to show our commitment to legislation regarding cookie awareness so that you can understand what cookies we use and why we use them. This ensures transparency in the data collected from you.
Further information
- Cookie Directive – https://www.ico.org.uk
- Information about cookies – https://www.allaboutcookies.org
- Internet Advertising Bureau – https://www.youronlinechoices.eu
- International Chamber of Commerce United Kingdom – https://www.cookielaw.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/icc_uk_cookiesguide_revnov.pdf
How long is your personal information retained?
How long do we keep hold of your information?
During the course of our relationship with you we’ll retain personal data which is necessary to provide services to you. We’ll take all reasonable steps to keep your personal data up to date throughout our relationship.
We’re are also subject to regulatory requirements to retain your data for specified minimum periods.
These are, generally:
- Six years for mortgage business from date of completion
- Three years for mortgage business that does not complete
- Six years for protection business from on risk date
These are minimum periods, during which we have a legal obligation to retain your records.
We reserve the right to retain data for longer where we believe it’s in our legitimate interests to do so. In any case, we’ll not keep your personal data for longer than 6 years after our relationship with you has ended.
You have the right to request deletion of your personal data. We’ll comply with this request, subject to the restrictions of our regulatory obligations and legitimate interests as noted above.
Accessing your personal information
You have the right to request a copy of the information that we hold about you. If you’d like a copy of some or all of your personal information please email or write to us using the contact details noted below.
When your personal data is processed by automated means you have the right to ask us to move your personal data to another organisation for their use.
We have an obligation to ensure that your personal information is accurate and up to date. Please ask us to correct or remove any information that you think is incorrect.
Changes to our Privacy Notice
We keep our Privacy Notice under regular review and we will place any updates on this web page. This Privacy Notice was last updated on 01/12/2023.
Questions
If you have any questions or complaints relating to how we use your personal information, or if you wish to exercise any of your rights regarding your personal information, You can do this by emailing us at [email protected], or call us on 0208 143 7777 or write to us at 5 Century Court, Tolpits Lane, Watford, WD18 9PX
We will respond to you as soon as is possible. The length of time will depend on the type and complexity of the request, but you will receive a response no later than one month from the initial request.
What if I am still not satisfied?
If you are not satisfied with how Mortgage Knight Ltd has responded to your enquiry, you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), who is the regulator for data protection in the United Kingdom.
The ICO’s address:
Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF
Helpline number: 0303 123 1113, ICO website: https://www.ico.org.uk
Privacy Policy
At Mortgage Knight Ltd (“we,” “us,” “our”), your privacy and the protection of your personal information are of the utmost importance to us. We take our responsibility seriously in safeguarding your data and adhering to the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.
This Privacy Policy is here to give you a clear understanding of what data we collect, how we use it, and the steps we take to protect it. We want you to feel informed and empowered when it comes to your privacy.
Who We Are: Data Controller
Mortgage Knight Ltd is proud to serve as the Data Controller for the personal information you share with us. This means we are in charge of deciding how your data is used and ensuring it is processed lawfully and responsibly. If you ever have any questions or concerns, we are always here to help. Feel free to contact us using the information below:
- Company Name: Mortgage Knight Ltd
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 0208 143 7777
- Address: 5 Century Court, Tolpits Lane, Watford, WD18 9PX
What Personal Data Do We Collect?
To provide you with the best possible service, we collect certain types of personal data. This includes:
- Personal Information: Details like your name, contact information, date of birth, and address, which allow us to identify and communicate with you.
- Financial Information: Information such as your income, employment status, credit history, mortgage details, and bank details that help us tailor our services to your needs.
- Special Category Data: Health-related information, which may be required when dealing with protection products like insurance, to ensure the best coverage for your circumstances.
- Technical Data: Information like your IP address, browser type, and cookies that help us improve your online experience with us.
How Do We Collect Your Data?
We gather data from you in a few different ways, ensuring it’s always relevant to the services you’re seeking:
- Direct Interactions: When you reach out to us through enquiry forms, emails, phone calls, or face-to-face meetings, we collect the details you provide directly.
- Third-Party Sources: In certain situations, we may also receive your data from other sources, such as lenders, insurers, or partners involved in your application process.
Why Do We Process Your Data?
We process your data for several specific reasons, each with the goal of providing you with a smooth and personalized experience:
- To Process Mortgage Applications: We use your personal and financial details to complete and submit mortgage applications on your behalf.
- To Assess Protection Products: Health and financial data help us evaluate which protection products, like insurance, are the most suitable for you.
- To Provide Financial Advice: We retain your data to give you expert advice and maintain a meaningful, ongoing relationship with you as your circumstances evolve.
- To Comply with Legal and Regulatory Requirements: This includes fulfilling obligations under anti-money laundering regulations and other relevant laws.
The Legal Basis for Using Your Data
We process your data based on several legal grounds:
- Contractual Obligations: Much of the data processing we do is necessary to fulfill the contract we have with you, such as finding you the best mortgage or protection products.
- Consent: When it comes to sending marketing communications, we always ask for your consent first, and you can withdraw it at any time.
- Legal Obligation: We are required to collect and process certain data to comply with regulatory standards and laws.
- Legitimate Interest: We may process your data to improve our services, prevent fraud, or for risk management purposes.
Who Do We Share Your Data With?
To provide our services efficiently and ensure compliance, we sometimes need to share your data with trusted partners, including:
- Lenders, Insurers, and Protection Providers: When necessary to process your applications or to provide relevant products.
- Third-Party Service Providers: For example, IT support and compliance agents, who work under strict confidentiality agreements.
- Regulatory Bodies, Law Enforcement, or Courts: If required by law, we will share your data with the relevant authorities to meet our legal obligations.
Rest assured, we do not sell your data to any third parties for marketing purposes.
Automated Decision-Making
In some cases, we use automated systems to assess your eligibility for specific products. For example, automated credit checks or financial assessments may be part of the application process.
However, you have the right to request human intervention if you feel that an automated decision does not reflect your personal circumstances adequately.
Cookies: What They Are and How We Use Them
Our website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience. Here’s how:
- Essential Cookies: These are necessary for the basic functionality of our website, ensuring you can access our services securely.
- Performance Cookies: These help us understand how visitors use our website, allowing us to improve its functionality.
- Targeting Cookies: Used to deliver content tailored to your preferences.
You have full control over cookies. If you wish to block or delete them, you can do so through your browser settings.
For further information on managing cookies, you can visit:
How Long Do We Keep Your Data?
We retain your personal data only for as long as it is necessary to meet the purposes outlined in this policy:
- Completed Mortgage Cases: Data is kept for 6 years.
- Uncompleted Mortgage Applications: Retained for 3 years.
- Protection Product Data: Held for 6 years.
In some instances, we may keep data longer if required for legal or regulatory reasons, but we only retain what is absolutely necessary.
Your Rights as a Data Subject
We believe in transparency and giving you control over your personal data. Under the UK GDPR, you have several rights:
- Right of Access: You can request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
- Right to Rectification: If your data is inaccurate or incomplete, you can ask us to correct it.
- Right to Erasure: In certain circumstances, you can request that we delete your data.
- Right to Restrict Processing: You can ask us to limit how we use your data.
- Right to Data Portability: You can request your data in a format that allows it to be transferred to another provider.
- Right to Object: You have the right to object to certain types of processing, like marketing communications.
- Rights Regarding Automated Decisions: If you feel an automated decision has affected you unfairly, you can request a review by a human.
To exercise any of these rights, feel free to contact us at [email protected].
How We Protect Your Data
We are committed to keeping your data secure. We use a variety of technical and organizational measures, such as encryption, secure servers, and strict access controls, to ensure your information is protected from unauthorized access or disclosure. In the unlikely event of a data breach, we will inform you and the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) as required by law.
Third-Party Links
Our website may include links to third-party websites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for their privacy practices. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any external websites you visit.
International Data Transfers
If we need to transfer your personal data outside the UK, we ensure it is done in accordance with data protection laws. This includes implementing appropriate safeguards, such as standard contractual clauses, to protect your privacy and rights.
Marketing Communications
With your consent, we may send you occasional updates or marketing communications about our services. We value your preferences, so you can always opt-out by contacting us or simply clicking the “unsubscribe” link in any email we send.
Keeping You Informed: Updates to This Policy
We regularly review and update this Privacy Policy to ensure it reflects any changes in our practices or the law. You’ll always find the latest version on this page, and if significant changes occur, we’ll notify you by email.
Last updated: 1st October 2024
Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your rights, we’re here to help. Get in touch with us:
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 0208 143 7777
- Address: 5 Century Court, Tolpits Lane, Watford, WD18 9PX
Escalating Complaints
If you’re not satisfied with how we handle your data or respond to your queries, you have the right to raise your concerns with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). They can be reached at:
- Website: www.ico.org.uk
- Phone: 0303 123 1113
- Address: Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF
We are dedicated to ensuring that your data is treated with the utmost care and respect.
