Privacy Policy
Empire Estate Agents is committed to complying with its obligations under the Privacy Act, 1988 and the associated National Privacy Principles (the ìNPPsî).
1. Application of the National Privacy Principles to this Real Estate Agency
Empire Estate Agents is bound by the NPPs either as a consequence of it being an organisation with an annual turnover of more than $3 million or due to the fact that it derives a benefit, service or advantage by the collection or disclosure of information and opinions about individuals whose identity is apparent or can be ascertained.
However, as with all organisations, the NPPs do not apply to personal information of current or former employees contained in employee records when those records are used directly in connection with the employment relationship. Further, it should be noted that some exemptions contained within the NPPs with respect to matters such as the disclosure of information with respect to law enforcement enquiries and the disclosure of particular information relating to legal proceedings and negotiations.
Empire Estate Agents through its Privacy Officer, is happy to provide further details as to the extent in which it is required to comply with the NPPs should any person wish. Alternatively, further details of the obligations imposed upon private organisations under Australiaís Privacy Laws can be obtained directly from the office of the Privacy Commissioner or by reference to the NPPs and the Privacy Commissioners Associated Guidelines.
2. The types of personal information held by Empire Estate Agents includes the following:
- The obtaining of information from vendors used with respect to the marketing and sale of real estate properties and businesses;
- The collection and use of information from databases of comparable sales of properties and businesses in order to appraise the value of other properties and businesses and in order to assist in the marketing of those properties and businesses;
- Information from purchasers and potential purchasers of properties and businesses
- Detail of properties, owners and tenants used for the purpose of managing the leasing of both commercial and residential properties;
- Data obtained from third parties for the use of marketing, selling and leasing real estate properties and businesses
3. The main purposes for which Empire Estate Agents holds information
Empire Estate Agents holds the information referred to above for the primary purpose of enabling it to conduct the services that is provides to its clients and to enable it to market the provision of those services. In particular:
- Empire Estate Agents collects information to enable it to provide services in connection with the sale or leasing or properties and businesses;
- Information collected by Empire Estate Agents is used to provide customers and prospective customers with respect to real estate and business agency matters;
- Information collected by Empire Estate Agents is issued to assist with the delivery of services via the Internet;
- Information obtained from third parties, including the Valuer Generals Offices, the Land Titles Office, Local Councils and other organisations is used for the purpose of assisting the agency in the valuing, selling and leaning of properties and businesses;
- Information obtained by Empire Estate Agents is used for the purpose of marketing the services of the agency
Empire Estate Agents does / does not contract out services to third parties that involves disclosing personal information.
4. Accessing Personal information held Empire Estate Agents
Pursuant to the NPPs, persons are entitled to obtain access to personal information held by Empire Estate Agents with respect to that individual. Subject to the relevant exemptions contained in the NPP and subject to an individual providing sufficient proof of his or her identity this Real Estate will provide access to information that it holds relating to an individual. Empire Estate Agents will charge a fee in most instances for the provision of this information requested. Further details as to these costs can be obtained by contacting the Empireís Principal.
Empire Estate Agents requests that any requests for access to personal information be made in writing addressed to the Principal.
Empire Estate Agents will generally provide access to information by providing to the individual concerned copies of relevant documents. Where, for reasons of volume or otherwise, providing copies of documents is not practical, Empire will make arrangements for the individual concerned to enter our Office to carry out a physical inspection.
Wherever possible, Empire Estate Agents will provide copies of documents or access to the information that it holds with respect to an individual within 14 days of written receipt of the relevant request. In the case of more complex requests an endeavour will be made to provide information within 30 days.
If individuals upon inspection believe that information held relating to them is incorrect they are entitled to request that this real estate agency corrects that information.
Should Empire Estate Agents believe that it is entitled to refuse a request to access information or to make corrections it will provide written reasons for its decisions.
Further information
Should any person wish to obtain further information with respect to the type of personal information this Real Estate Agency holds, or the use or management of this information please contact the Principal of Empire Estate Agents at the contact details set out below.
Contacting Empire Estate Agents regarding privacy matters
If any individual wishes to make a complaint about this Real Estate Agencyís activities with respect to privacy and the NPPs or obtain more information about the way in which this agency manages personal information it holds, the individual should make immediate contact with this Empireís Principal
