PRIVACY

Privacy Policy
At Curtis & Co, we are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020 and other applicable New Zealand laws.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, disclose, and protect your personal information when you interact with us, including through our website, property management services, real estate services, tenancy applications, and related business activities.By using our website or providing personal information to us, you acknowledge and agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy.

What personal information we collect
The personal information we collect depends on the services we provide to you and may include:
• your name
• date of birth
• contact details including phone number, email address, and postal address
• identification information, including copies of photo identification and licence details
• financial information, including bank account details
• tenancy, employment, and reference information
• rental history and property ownership information
• insurance details
• information relating to property transactions
• records of communications with us
• website usage and technical information

We may also collect information required to comply with legal obligations, including anti-money laundering and identity verification requirements.

How we collect personal information
We generally collect personal information directly from you, including when you:
• contact us
• attend open homes or inspections
• complete online or paper forms
• submit tenancy or employment applications
• engage our services
• use our website
• communicate with us by phone, email, text, or social media

We may also collect personal information from third parties where permitted by law or where reasonably necessary for our business activities. This may include:
• referees
• landlords or property owners
• credit reporting agencies
• government agencies
• real estate websites
• contractors or service providers
• publicly available sources
• agents or representatives acting on your behalf

Where we collect personal information from a third party, we will take reasonable steps to ensure you are aware of the collection and the purposes for which the information is being collected, as required under the Privacy Act 2020.

Credit checks and identity verification
Where relevant to tenancy applications, property management services, or other transactions, we may obtain credit reports, identity verification information, or background checks from third parties, including credit reporting agencies such as Centrix.

These checks may include verification of identity, credit history, and publicly available information such as overdue fines information where legally permitted.

Specific consent and collection notifications relating to these checks are provided within our application and onboarding documentation.

Why we collect and use personal information
We collect, hold, use, and disclose personal information for purposes including:
• providing real estate and property management services
• processing tenancy applications
• buying, selling, leasing, and marketing properties
• communicating with clients, tenants, landlords, and customers
• arranging maintenance, repairs, inspections, and compliance services
• conducting credit, reference, and identity checks
• complying with legal and regulatory obligations
• administering contracts and agreements
• responding to enquiries and complaints
• improving our services and website
• marketing our services where permitted by law
• protecting our lawful interests and preventing fraud

If you choose not to provide requested information, we may be unable to provide some or all of our services.

Disclosure of personal information
We may disclose your personal information where reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, including to:
• our employees, contractors, and agents
• landlords, tenants, purchasers, vendors, and property owners
• tradespeople and maintenance contractors such as plumbers, electricians, cleaners, locksmiths, Healthy Homes assessors, and repair providers
• software and cloud storage providers
• credit reporting agencies and identity verification providers
• insurers, valuers, and professional advisers
• marketing and advertising providers
• regulatory authorities, courts, tribunals, and government agencies
• the Real Estate Authority, Tenancy Services, REINZ, or other industry bodies
• other parties where authorised by you or required by law

We only disclose personal information where reasonably necessary and take reasonable steps to ensure third parties handle personal information appropriately.

Overseas disclosure and storage
Some of our service providers and software platforms may store or process personal information outside New Zealand.

Where personal information is disclosed overseas, we will take reasonable steps to ensure the information is protected by comparable safeguards as required under the Privacy Act 2020.

Website cookies and analytics
Our website may use cookies, tracking technologies, and analytics tools to:
• improve website functionality
• analyse website traffic and usage
• personalise user experience
• support marketing and advertising activities

You can generally disable cookies through your browser settings, although some website functions may not operate correctly if cookies are disabled.

Security and storage
We take reasonable steps to protect personal information from misuse, loss, unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure.This includes:
• secure electronic systems
• password protection
• staff training
• restricted access controls
• secure cloud storage providers
• physical security measures

While we take reasonable precautions, no method of electronic transmission or storage is completely secure.

Retention of personal information
We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, including legal, regulatory, insurance, dispute resolution, and business record requirements.

When personal information is no longer required, we will take reasonable steps to securely destroy or de-identify it.

Access and correction
You may request access to the personal information we hold about you and request corrections if you believe the information is inaccurate.

Requests should be made in writing to our Privacy Officer using the contact details below.

We will respond in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020.

Marketing communications
‍We may send you marketing communications about our services where permitted by law.

You can opt out of marketing communications at any time by contacting us or using the unsubscribe facility included in electronic communications.

Privacy breaches and complaints
If you believe your privacy has been breached, please contact us as soon as possible.

We will investigate complaints and respond within a reasonable timeframe.

You also have the right to make a complaint to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner.

Contact us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or your personal information, please contact:
David Curtis, Curtis & Co
Email: david@curtisandco.co.nz

More information about privacy rights in New Zealand is available from the Office of the Privacy Commissioner.

Changes to this Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The latest version will always be available on our website.