This Privacy Policy explains how Housense ("we", "our", or "us") collects, uses, stores, and protects your personal data when you use our platform at housense.co.uk.
We are committed to protecting your privacy and complying with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. This policy should be read alongside our Terms of Service.
2. Information We Collect
2.1 Information You Provide Directly
When you use our search features, we collect:
Search queries: The search terms you enter when looking for managing agents, developments, or tribunal decisions
Contact information: If you contact us or submit corrections, we collect your email address and any information you provide in your message
2.2 Information Collected Automatically
When you visit and use Housense, we automatically collect:
IP Address: Your Internet Protocol address, used for security, anti-abuse measures, and approximate geolocation
Geolocation Data: Country, city, and region derived from your IP address using the ipapi.co service
User Agent: Information about your browser and device type
Session Information: A temporary session identifier to manage your browsing session
Usage Data: Pages visited, search patterns, timestamps, and interaction data
Cookies: Small text files stored on your device (see Section 7 for details)
2.3 Third-Party Data
The Platform displays publicly available information from third-party sources including:
Managing agent business information
Residential property information
Court and tribunal decisions
This information is already in the public domain and is aggregated for convenience.
3. How We Use Your Information
3.1 Legal Basis for Processing
We process your personal data under the following legal bases:
Legitimate Interests: To operate and improve the Platform, prevent abuse, and ensure security
Legal Obligation: To comply with applicable laws and regulations
3.2 Purposes of Processing
We use your personal data for:
Platform Operation: To provide search functionality and display relevant results
Security and Anti-Abuse: To detect and prevent automated scraping, excessive usage, spam, and malicious activity
Analytics: To understand how users interact with the Platform and improve our services
Communication: To respond to your enquiries and provide customer support
Legal Compliance: To comply with legal obligations and respond to lawful requests
4. Geolocation Data
We use geolocation data to understand where our users are located and identify geographic patterns of suspicious activity:
Source: Your IP address is sent to ipapi.co, a third-party geolocation service, which returns your approximate country, city, and region
Accuracy: Geolocation is approximate and based on IP routing. It may be inaccurate, especially for VPN users or mobile connections
Purpose: To analyse traffic patterns, detect coordinated abuse from specific regions, and provide usage statistics
No Precise Location: We do not collect GPS coordinates or precise location data
Retention: Geolocation data is stored alongside search and page view records
5. Third-Party Services
5.1 ipapi.co Geolocation Service
We use ipapi.co to convert IP addresses into approximate geographic locations. When you use the Platform:
Your IP address is sent to ipapi.co's API
ipapi.co returns country, city, region, and country code
We manage cookie consent through a custom cookie banner that stores your preferences locally in your browser's localStorage. No third-party cookie consent services are used, and your consent preferences remain private on your device.
6. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
6.1 What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. They help websites remember your preferences and understand how you use them.
6.2 Cookies We Use
Essential Cookies: Required for the Platform to function, including session management and CSRF protection. These cannot be disabled.
Consent Preferences: Your cookie consent preferences are stored in your browser's localStorage (not a cookie) to remember your choices.
6.3 Managing Cookies
You can manage cookie preferences through:
The cookie consent banner that appears when you first visit
Clicking the button below to reset your preferences and see the banner again
Your browser settings (though disabling essential cookies may affect Platform functionality)
7. Data Retention
We will only retain your personal data for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected. The retention period for personal data depends on the specific purpose for which we collect and use it, and as required to comply with applicable laws and to establish, exercise, or defend our legal rights.
8. Data Sharing and Disclosure
8.1 We Do Not Sell Your Data
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal data to third parties for marketing purposes.
8.2 When We Share Data
We may share your personal data only in the following circumstances:
Service Providers: With third-party services like ipapi.co as described in Section 5
Legal Obligations: If required by law, court order, or regulatory authority
Protection of Rights: To protect our rights, property, or safety, or that of our users or the public
Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets (you would be notified beforehand)
8.3 International Transfers
Some third-party services (ipapi.co) may process data outside the UK/EEA. We ensure such transfers comply with UK GDPR through:
Standard Contractual Clauses
Adequacy decisions by the UK government
Other legally approved transfer mechanisms
9. Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal data:
Encryption: HTTPS encryption for data in transit
Access Controls: Restricted access to personal data on a need-to-know basis
Security Monitoring: Regular security assessments and monitoring for vulnerabilities
Secure Storage: Database security measures including password protection and access logging
CSRF Protection: Protection against cross-site request forgery attacks
However, no method of transmission or storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your data, we cannot guarantee absolute security.
10. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or Platform features. Changes will be effective immediately upon posting. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.
For significant changes that materially affect your rights, we will provide prominent notice on the Platform or, where appropriate, contact you directly.
11. Automated Decision-Making
The IP reputation system uses automated processing to:
Assign reputation scores based on behavioural patterns
Apply rate limits based on reputation tiers
Temporarily or permanently block IP addresses that exhibit abuse patterns
These automated decisions are necessary to protect the Platform and ensure fair access for all users. If you believe you have been incorrectly blocked or penalised, you have the right to:
The Platform displays publicly available information about managing agents, companies, and individuals involved in court and tribunal decisions. This information is compiled from public sources including:
Companies House
HM Courts & Tribunals Service
Company and other websites
Other legitimate public sources
If you believe we are displaying inaccurate information about you or your organisation, or if you have concerns about how your data appears on the Platform, please contact us at hello@housense.co.uk. We will investigate and take appropriate action, which may include:
Correcting inaccurate information
Removing information that should not be in the public domain
Adding context or clarifications
13. Contact Information
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your personal data, please contact us: