Finchley Removals Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how Finchley Removals collects, uses, stores and protects personal data relating to our customers and prospective customers. It applies to all Finchley Removals customers and service users within our operating area, including individuals and businesses who request quotations, make bookings, or otherwise interact with us in connection with removals, storage, packing, or related services.

Who this Privacy Policy applies to

This Privacy Policy applies to all Finchley Removals customers and potential customers in our service area. It covers data collected when you contact us, request a quote, visit our premises, use our services, or communicate with us through any channel. By engaging with Finchley Removals, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.

Types of personal data we collect

Finchley Removals collects and processes different categories of personal data depending on how you interact with us and which services you use. The types of personal data we may collect include:

Identification details such as name, title, and where applicable the name of your business or organisation. Contact details such as correspondence address, collection and delivery addresses, billing address, and other relevant property addresses associated with a move or storage service. Contact methods such as your preferred communication channel so that we can respond to your enquiries and manage your booking. Service information such as details about your move, including property type, access information, inventory or volume estimates, dates and times of services, and any special instructions or requirements. Transaction information such as records of quotations, invoices, payments, refunds, and related correspondence. Communication records such as notes of telephone conversations and records of emails and other messages you send to us and that we send to you. Technical or usage information where applicable, such as log data generated when you use any online forms or tools we provide.

How we collect personal data

We collect personal data in several ways. You provide data directly when you contact us by telephone, post, in person, or through any online forms or tools. We collect data when you request a quotation, confirm a booking, sign service agreements, or provide instructions before, during or after a removal or storage service. We may receive information from third parties, for example where an insurance company, relocation agent, estate agent, or commercial partner provides your details so that we can arrange services at your request or with your knowledge. We also generate data as part of providing services to you, such as job records, service notes, and billing history.

Lawful bases for processing your personal data

Finchley Removals processes your personal data only where there is a lawful basis under the UK General Data Protection Regulation and related data protection laws. The lawful bases we rely on are:

Contract. We process your personal data when it is necessary to take steps at your request before entering into a contract or to perform a contract for removal, storage, packing, or related services. This includes processing to provide quotations, confirm bookings, coordinate logistics, deliver services, and manage payments.

Legal obligation. We process certain personal data when it is necessary for compliance with legal obligations, including tax and accounting requirements, record keeping duties, and responding to lawful requests from public authorities.

Legitimate interests. We process personal data where it is necessary for our legitimate interests, or those of a third party, and where your interests and fundamental rights do not override those interests. These legitimate interests include managing and improving our services, handling queries and complaints, preventing fraud or misuse, and maintaining business records.

Consent. In limited circumstances we may rely on your consent, for example where you choose to receive specific types of marketing communications. Where we rely on consent, you may withdraw it at any time, and we will explain how you can do so when we collect your data.

How we use your personal data

We use your personal data for purposes connected with providing and improving our services. This includes assessing and responding to enquiries and quotation requests, arranging surveys or site visits where required, planning and delivering removal, storage, and associated services, communicating with you regarding dates, times, access instructions, and special requirements, issuing invoices, processing payments and managing account balances, handling customer service queries, feedback and complaints, maintaining accurate records for financial and operational purposes, and complying with legal, regulatory, tax and insurance requirements.

Data sharing and processors

Finchley Removals may share your personal data with carefully selected third parties where necessary and lawful. These third parties may act as data processors on our behalf or as independent controllers. Typical categories include payment service providers who process payments on our behalf, accounting and bookkeeping service providers who assist with financial records and compliance, information technology and systems providers who host or support our business systems, and insurance providers or brokers involved in cover for your goods in transit or in storage.

Where third parties act as processors, they are only permitted to process your personal data in accordance with our documented instructions and must implement appropriate security measures. We enter into written agreements with processors to ensure that your data is protected and handled in accordance with applicable data protection laws.

International transfers

As a local removals provider, Finchley Removals primarily processes and stores personal data within the United Kingdom or the European Economic Area. If it becomes necessary to transfer personal data to a country outside of the UK or the European Economic Area, we will ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place, such as the use of standard contractual clauses or other legally recognised mechanisms, and we will only do so where it is lawful and necessary in connection with the services we provide.

Data retention and storage periods

Finchley Removals retains personal data only for as long as necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, including to meet any legal, accounting or reporting requirements. The specific retention period can vary depending on the type of data and the context in which it was obtained.

In general, records relating to quotations and completed services, including invoices and payment details, are kept for a period of time consistent with tax and accounting rules and any mandatory limitation periods for legal claims. Operational records, notes and correspondence may be kept for a similar period where needed to respond to queries or to manage disputes. When personal data is no longer required, we will securely delete it or anonymise it so that it can no longer be associated with you.

How we protect your personal data

We take appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect personal data against unauthorised access, accidental loss, destruction or damage. Measures may include physical access controls, secure storage, restricted access for staff based on role and necessity, staff awareness and training, and the use of secure systems and security tools. While no method of transmission or storage is completely secure, we aim to ensure a level of security appropriate to the risks associated with the personal data we process.

Your rights under data protection law

As a data subject, you have various rights in relation to your personal data under applicable data protection laws. These rights may be subject to certain conditions and exemptions.

Right of access. You have the right to request confirmation as to whether we process personal data about you and, if so, to request access to that data and certain related information.

Right to rectification. You have the right to ask us to correct personal data that you believe is inaccurate or incomplete.

Right to erasure. You may request that we delete your personal data in certain circumstances, for example where the data is no longer needed for the purposes for which it was collected, or where you withdraw consent and there is no other lawful basis for processing.

Right to restriction of processing. You may request that we restrict the processing of your personal data in certain situations, such as when you contest its accuracy or object to our processing.

Right to data portability. In some cases you have the right to receive personal data that you provided to us in a structured, commonly used and machine readable format and to request that we transfer it to another controller where technically feasible.

Right to object. You have the right to object to processing based on our legitimate interests, including profiling based on those interests. We will stop processing unless we can demonstrate compelling legitimate grounds that override your interests, rights and freedoms, or the processing is required for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims.

Right to withdraw consent. Where we rely on your consent to process personal data, you have the right to withdraw that consent at any time. Withdrawal will not affect the lawfulness of processing carried out before consent was withdrawn.

Exercising your rights and complaints

If you wish to exercise any of your rights, or if you have questions or concerns about how Finchley Removals handles your personal data, you can contact us using the contact details provided in our customer documentation or on our main service information. We will respond to your request in accordance with applicable legal requirements and timeframes.

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the relevant data protection supervisory authority if you believe that your personal data has been processed in a way that does not comply with applicable law. We encourage you to contact us first so that we can seek to resolve any issues directly.

Updates to this Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our services, legal obligations, or data processing practices. Any updated version will apply to all Finchley Removals customers in our service area from the date it is made available. You should review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your personal data.