Guidance

Healthy Homes evaluation research: privacy notice

Published 6 September 2024

Applies to England

The following is to explain your rights and give you the information you are entitled to under UK data protection legislation.

This research is being carried out by Verian on behalf of MHCLG. Verian are data processors for this research.

1. The identity and contact details of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and our Data Protection Officer

MHCLG is the data controller. The Data Protection Officer can be contacted at dataprotection@communities.gov.uk.

2. What personal data we are collecting and why

Your personal data is being collected as part of an evaluation of the Healthy Homes scheme. The scheme aims to test ways in which to increase landlord compliance with addressing damp and mould in Private Rented Sector housing.

The purpose of the Healthy Homes evaluation is to provide the government with evidence about how to:

• improve the identification of damp and mould,
• improve the quality of enforcement action taken by local authorities in relation to damp and mould, and
• ultimately reduce the prevalence of damp and mould in the Private Rented Sector.

Evidence from the evaluation will inform future government policy and help us understand how we can ensure healthy homes for those living in the Private Rented Sector.

Personal data will be used to invite you to participate in the research. It will also be used to understand how different groups of people are affected by damp and mould issues in the Private Rented Sector, and whether they have been helped by the Healthy Homes scheme.

The following personal data is being collected for the research:

• contact details: name, email address, phone number, and postal address
• demographic (some of which is referred to as special category data, i.e. sensitive data): age, gender, ethnicity, family circumstances & household makeup, benefit receipt, and health

We will also collect data relating to the property where you currently reside including EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) ratings and the presence of damp and mould hazards.

For the current research we will ask Verian to store the personal data so they can invite you to repeat the questionnaire. This will allow us to measure any changes over time.

We are considering opportunities for future research within government (either ourselves, Department Health and Social Care or Department of Work and Pensions) and we will update the privacy notice in due course. Participation in future research would be voluntary and you would have no obligation to participate.

3. Lawful basis for processing the data

The data protection legislation sets out when we are lawfully allowed to process your data. The lawful basis that applies to this processing is Article 6(1)(e) of the UK GDPR – public task.

For processing of special category data, we will rely on 9 (g) - substantial public interest. The relevant substantial public interest condition in Schedule 1 (6) of the DPIA 2018, Statutory and government purposes.

4. With whom we will be sharing the data

Anonymised data gathered using the questionnaire will be shared with DWP, DHSC and used by MHCLG to answer additional/future policy related questions.

The current research does not include plans to share data with other government departments, however we are discussing options and will update the privacy notice if that changes. Future research is likely to improve our understanding of the effects of poor quality housing on health or employment and so could involve, for example, linking questionnaire data with health records.

5. For how long we will keep the personal data, or criteria used to determine the retention period.

Verian (MHCLG’s data processor) will keep your personal data and store them securely until contract ends (anticipated to be May 2025). If their contract is extended the storage time will be extended in line with this. We will update the privacy notice if the contract and/or research project is extended.

6. Your rights, e.g. access, rectification, erasure

The data we are collecting is your personal data, and you have rights that affect what happens to it. You have the right to:

a. know that we are using your personal data
b. see what data we have about you
c. ask to have your data corrected, and to ask how we check the information we hold is accurate
d. complain to the ICO (see below)

In some circumstances you may also have the right to withdraw your consent to us having or using your data, to have all data about you deleted, or to object to particularly types of use of your data. We will tell you when these rights apply.

If you would like to exercise your rights please get in touch with the MHCLG DPO (contact details at the start of this privacy notice)

7. Sending data overseas

Your personal data will not be sent outside of the EU: it will be securely stored in the UK or EU by MHCLG and its processors.

8. Automated decision making

We will not use your data for any automated decision making.

9. Storage, security and data management

Processes are in place to ensure the secure transfer, handling, storage, and destruction of the data. These are specified in MHCLG’s Data Processing Agreement with Verian. All Verian staff handling data will be DBS checked. MHCLG’s contract with Verian sets out requirements for cyber security processes. Verian have up to date cyber security clearance from MHCLG’s cyber security team.

MHCLG will only use your data within the terms of data protection laws, will delete your data securely and only keep it for as long as necessary for our work as a public body.

MHCLG will review dates for keeping personal details and data in the future. Where relevant, some data may be kept without personal details attached (e.g. survey results) for longer periods.

10. Complaints and more information

When we ask you for information, we will keep to the law, including the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK General Data Protection Regulation.

If you are unhappy with the way the Department has acted, you can make a complaint.

If you are not happy with how we are using your personal data, you should first contact dataprotection@communities.gov.uk.

If you are still not happy, or for independent advice about data protection, privacy and data sharing, you can contact:

The Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow, Cheshire,
SK9 5AF

Telephone: 0303 123 1113 or 01625 545 745

https://ico.org.uk/