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RLA says Landlords should Seek Advice and Support in Regards to Data Law Changes
This article is an external press release originally published on the Landlord News website, which has now been migrated to the Just Landlords blog.
New General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) are swiftly approaching, coming into effect on 25th May. These data protection rules will also apply to landlords.
Analysis by the Residential Landlords Association (RLA) has revealed that landlords will be required to identify the correct legal gateway to allow them to hold and use data, which includes that of their tenants. Further to this, it may have to be shared with 24 different groups of organisations and people.
From sharing the immigration status of a tenant with the Home Office, to sharing data related to a tenancy with local authorities in relation to council tax, landlords will be required to act accordingly. It will also affect data shared to utility companies and with the Department for Work and Pensions where Universal Credit is paid to the tenant.
The RLA is warning that, with less than a week to go before GDPR comes into force, landlords who have not yet prepared will have to seek urgent advice and support, as being fully compliant with this law is essential.
In order to make this vitally important change as easy as possible for landlords, the RLA have made a range of resources available for those who have paid for membership. These resources include:
- A template privacy notice and forms to hold and use data
- A checklist for landlords to ensure they are personally data compliant
- An online course for landlords to better understand the requirements of the regulations
The association is keen to ensure that all members are compliant with the legislation. The RLA’s Company Secretary, Richard Jones, commented: “Given their complexity, the new GDPR rules pose many challenges for landlords who need to handle and share important data to ensure the smooth running of rental properties and businesses.
“The RLA is concerned about how detailed and far reaching the new requirements are. They pose great risks to landlords if they are not compliant.
“It is vital that all landlords get the advice and support that they will need to ensure they are compliant with the rules.”
