Data protection in a real estate company

Personal data is of great value, which is why in recent years legislation has focused its efforts on protecting it especially. Hence, today we focus on data protection in a real estate agency, because it is a matter of great importance.

In fact, failure to respect the legal guidelines around this issue may result in significant sanctions by the Spanish Data Protection Agency (AEPD).

What is data protection? Should a real estate company comply with it?

Personal data protection is a legal discipline that focuses on ensuring and safeguarding the personal data of third parties that private companies and public entities may have stored. With the aim of keeping them safe and preventing interference from third parties, as well as improper use of that information.

Data protection legislation affects all individuals and companies within the national territory.

In the specific case of real estate companies, being scrupulous with compliance with these regulations is especially important, because the files not only contain personal information of clients, but can also include the keys to their home. Therefore, there must be absolute control over who has access to real estate properties

How to comply with data protection in a real estate company

The first thing is to have a data protection document in the real estate company. Through it, interested parties are informed that there is a file in which their data will be stored and it is established what type of treatment will be done with that information and who is responsible for the file.

In the same document, a record must be kept of the rights that assist the data subjects with respect to them: access, rectification, opposition, suppression, limitation of processing, portability and not being the subject of individualized decisions.

By signing, the holder is granting express authorization for the processing of their data in accordance with the provisions of the document, so it is important that both parties keep a copy.

The real estate visit sheet is another of the obligations that must be fulfilled. Through it, a record is kept of those who visit a property that is for sale or available for rent

As a professional, you must present this sheet to visitors, but they are not obliged to sign it if they do not want to. What is essential in any case is that you expressly notify the interested parties that their personal information is being collected

Data protection in a real estate agency is a matter that must be taken very seriously, because protecting people's privacy is becoming increasingly important.

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