Unclear on Data Protection issue

[Blackkatier]

Is a letting agent within his rights to pass on the guarantor's name and address for tenant debts?
I dont mean for utilities but to Credit Card companies and banks?
I thought due to new Data Protection laws that this would be bad practice, but thought that someone here may be able to clarify?

[Paul_f]

Err.................don't even think about it! You're not judge and jury.

[welshgold]

Is a letting agent within his rights to pass on the guarantor's name and address for tenant debts?
I dont mean for utilities but to Credit Card companies and banks?
I thought due to new Data Protection laws that this would be bad practice, but thought that someone here may be able to clarify?
We have a standard form which we ask vacating tenants/guarantors to sign and fill in their forwarding address, we tell them, and it is made clear on form that they are under no obligation to do this , if they do give permission to divulge this info we would pass on details and forward mail etc to them, if they decline to sign we do not pass on their details.

[Blackkatier]

Err.................don't even think about it! You're not judge and jury.

Sorry? I dont quite understand?:confused:

[Blackkatier]

We have a standard form which we ask vacating tenants/guarantors to sign and fill in their forwarding address, we tell them, and it is made clear on form that they are under no obligation to do this , if they do give permission to divulge this info we would pass on details and forward mail etc to them, if they decline to sign we do not pass on their details.

Thank you, thats very helpful.

[Blackkatier]

I have contacted ICO, who say that this is in breach of the Data Protection Act 1998 on three counts.

I have been advised to contact the letting agency in writing with a copy of the letters i have received from creditors.I have posted this for the information of others who may be in the same situation as me.

[cknight@leaseguard.co.uk]

We have come across a number of letting agents that are not aware that they should be registered under the Data Protection Act. They should as they hold data of a peronal nature about the landlord, tenant and possibly guarantors irrespective of they don't hold the data on a computer.

If you are a landlord or tenant you should check this out. There is an on-line register at the ICO site, so you can check out if the letting agent complies.

www.leaseguard.co.uk

[Paul_f]

For those not familiar with the ICO it stands for the Information Commissioner's Office. The aforementioned ost is very good advice about registering under the DPA.