Privacy Policy – HOUSEGUARANTOR LTD

Last updated: 13/09/2025

HOUSEGUARANTOR LTD (“we”, “our”, “us”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal data in line with the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

1. Who We Are

  • Company name: HOUSEGUARANTOR LTD

  • Company registration number: 16593773

  • Company type: Private Limited by Shares

  • Address: 289 Popes Lane, Ealing, London, W5 4NH

  • Email: info@houseguarantor.co.uk

  • Phone: +44 7598 977 490

We are the data controller for the personal data collected through www.houseguarantor.co.uk and our guarantor services.

2. What Data We Collect

We collect only the information necessary to provide guarantor services, including:

  • Basic details – full name, email address, phone number, address

  • Application documents (where applicable):

    • Passport or national ID

    • Visa or proof of settled status

    • University acceptance/enrolment letter

    • Tuition fee payment verification

    • Recent bank statements (last 3 months) or other proof of funds

  • Communications – emails and messages you send us

  • Payment information – billing details and payment confirmations (we do not see your full card number)

  • Website usage data – IP address, browser/device information, pages visited (see our Cookie Policy)

Sources of data: primarily from you. In some cases, we may confirm details with letting agents, landlords, or your university.

3. How We Use Your Data (and Legal Basis)

We process your data for the following purposes, under the corresponding lawful bases:

  • Assess your guarantor application and communicate with you – Contract (or steps before entering a contract)

  • Verify identity, immigration status and ability to pay – Legal obligation (fraud prevention, right to rent) and Legitimate interests

  • Provide guarantor agreements, invoices and process fees – Contract

  • Maintain accounts and tax records – Legal obligation

  • Operate and secure our website – Legitimate interests

  • Analytics cookies and marketing (if opted in) – Consent

If we rely on consent, you may withdraw it at any time by emailing info@houseguarantor.co.uk. Withdrawal will not affect processing already carried out.

4. Who We Share Data With

We never sell your data. We only share it when necessary:

  • Hosting: Squarespace (website hosting, analytics, security)

  • Email & storage: Google Workspace (email, file storage)

  • Payments: Stripe or PayPal (to be confirmed – both are independent controllers of payment details)

  • Letting agents/landlords: to confirm guarantor arrangements

  • Authorities: HMRC, ICO or law enforcement where legally required

We have data-processing agreements with service providers to ensure your information is protected.

5. International Transfers

Some providers (e.g. Google, Squarespace, Stripe/PayPal) may process data outside the UK. We rely on:

  • UK adequacy regulations

  • Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) + UK Addendum

  • EU/UK–US Data Privacy Framework (where applicable)

6. Data Retention

  • Successful applicants: kept until 12 months after tenancy ends

  • Unsuccessful/withdrawn applications: kept for 12 months

  • Financial/tax records: kept for 6 years (legal requirement)

  • Cookies/analytics data: see our Cookie Policy

After these periods, we securely delete or anonymise data.

7. Security

We use appropriate measures to protect your data, including encryption (TLS), secure storage, access controls and least-privilege access. While no system is 100% secure, we regularly review and improve safeguards.

8. Your Rights

You have rights under UK GDPR, including to:

  • Access your data

  • Request correction or deletion

  • Object to processing or request restriction

  • Request data portability

  • Withdraw consent (where relied on)

To exercise these rights, email info@houseguarantor.co.uk. We will respond within 30 days.

9. Children

Our services are intended for applicants aged 18 and over. We do not knowingly collect data from anyone under 18.

10. Automated Decision-Making

We do not use automated decision-making that produces legal or significant effects.

11. Complaints

If you have concerns about how we handle your data, you can contact the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO):

12. Updates

We may update this Privacy Policy occasionally. The latest version will always appear on this page.