Why we use personal information about you

  • assess your grant application to ensure it meets with the relevant grant criteria and enables us to carry out a financial assessment where grants are means tested.
  • advise and assist you to resolve your disrepair or adaptation issues with your home.
  • ensure that we meet our statutory duties
  • build statistical information to inform plans and strategies in relation to Strategic Housings - this will not identify individuals
  • register of interest to inform applicants as and when affordable home ownership schemes go live • Assess eligibility for affordable housing through discounted open market value schemes 
  • self-build and custom housebuilding register.

Why we are allowed to use your personal information

Legal obligation or public task under various UK laws including but not limited to:

  • The Housing Act 1996,
  • Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996
  • Equality Act 2010 • The Regulatory Reform (Housing Assistance) (England and Wales) Order 2002
  • Home Energy Conservation Act
  • Energy Act 2013
  • Self-Build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015.

What sort of information we may hold about you

the personal data that we hold includes information such as;

  • your households names,
  • date of birth,
  • contact details,
  • relevant housing history
  • relevant health information for the adaptations
  • Information on any support packages which may have been put in place
  • Special category personal data such as gender, ethnicity, religion or other beliefs, sexual orientation and medical history.
  • Financial Information for the applicant and all occupiers of the property
  • benefit data depending on the grant being applied for.

How long we may keep your personal information

The length of time your personal information will be kept for will depend on the type of assistance you have received.

Disrepair Grant  -  Your information relating to the disrepair grant will be held in both paper and electronic format until the grant has been completed and fully paid and then will only be retained electronically  for a period of 5 years where a 50% grant is paid or for 25 years where a 100% grant is paid. Your information will be held securely and treated confidentially.

For DFG (Disabled Facilities Grant) applications your information will be held in both paper and electronic format until the grant has been completed and fully paid and then will only be retained electronically for a period of 10 years if there is a land charge applicable , if there is no land charge applicable your information will be retained electronically for a period of 6 years . Your information will be held securely and treated confidentially.

Empty Property Grant - Your information relating to the Empty Property grant will be held in both paper and electronic format until the grant has been completed and fully paid and then will only be retained electronically for a period of 5 years.

Who we share your personal data with

If we need to talk to other people and organisations regarding your information in the course of conducting our enquiries and assisting with your grant we will obtain your consent. You will give this consent as part of the declaration that is signed when you approach the Council for a grant application. We will not be able to assess your circumstances and offer the correct advice if this is withheld.

  • the council has a duty to protect the public funds it administers and may use the information you have provided or share it with other bodies for the purpose of preventing and detecting fraud. This includes participation in the cabinet offices National fraud Initiative.
  • We may share your information for the lawful purpose of the prevention and detection of crime under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998
  • your data may be shared with Social services and other care providers so that we can assess your requirements before advising on the required adaptations.
  • data will be uploaded securely to the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government for the purpose of analysing.
  • we may share your information with other council services to ensure our records are accurate and up to date
  • other local councils, e.g. for joint events & training
  • we may share your data with Chorley Council as part of the shared services arrangements.

When computers make any decisions about you

not applicable. 

When your data gets sent to other countries

not applicable.

Your rights

you have the right to:

  • request a copy of your information ( known as a subject access request)
  • request rectification or erasure of your information
  • request a restriction on the processing of your information, and, object to processing of your information
  • complain to the information Commissioners office about the way the council processes your information

If you require further information about the use of your data or would like to exercise any of the above rights please contact: the Data protection officer at South Ribble Borough Council.