Privacy Policy - Battersea Removals

This Privacy Policy explains how Battersea Removals collects, uses, stores, and protects personal data when providing removal, moving, and related services. It applies to all Battersea Removals customers in area, including prospective customers, active customers, and individuals who interact with us in connection with a booking, quote, survey, or service enquiry. We are committed to handling personal information in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

1. Who We Are

Battersea Removals acts as a data controller for the personal data we collect and use in the course of our business. This means we determine the purposes and means of processing personal information relating to our customers and other individuals whose data we handle. We aim to process data lawfully, fairly, transparently, and only for specified purposes.

2. Personal Data We Collect

We collect personal data that is necessary to deliver our services, manage bookings, communicate with customers, and meet legal and business obligations. The categories of data we may collect include:

• Identity data: name, title, and any relevant household or business contact details.
• Contact data: address, email address, telephone number, and service location details.
• Service data: information about your move, property access, inventory, special handling requirements, dates, and service preferences.
• Payment and billing data: payment status, invoice details, and transaction-related records. We do not store unnecessary payment information beyond what is needed to process and document the transaction.
• Communication data: correspondence with us by phone, email, messages, or written communication.
• Technical data: limited information generated when you interact with our digital systems, such as device or browser information, where applicable.
• Special category data: we do not intentionally collect sensitive personal data unless it is necessary for a particular service requirement or disclosed by you, for example health-related access needs. Where such data is processed, we apply additional safeguards and only do so when a valid lawful basis applies.

We collect information directly from you when you request a quote, confirm a booking, complete forms, or communicate with us. We may also receive data from third parties where it is necessary to perform our services, such as landlords, property agents, solicitors, or business partners involved in your move. We only use information that is relevant and proportionate to the services requested.

3. How We Use Your Personal Data

We use personal data for the following purposes:

• to provide quotations and assess service requirements;
• to schedule and carry out removal services;
• to communicate with you about bookings, access arrangements, and operational updates;
• to manage invoices, payments, and accounting records;
• to maintain customer service records and resolve queries or complaints;
• to improve service quality, planning, and operational efficiency;
• to comply with legal, regulatory, tax, insurance, and contractual obligations;
• to defend or establish legal claims where necessary.

We will not use your data for purposes that are incompatible with the original reasons for collection unless we have a lawful basis to do so and, where required, have informed you. We only process personal information that is necessary for the delivery and management of our services.

4. Lawful Basis for Processing

Under data protection law, we must have a lawful basis for each processing activity. Battersea Removals relies on the following lawful bases:

Contract

We process personal data where it is necessary to enter into or perform a contract with you. This includes preparing quotes, confirming bookings, arranging logistics, and completing the removal service.

Legal Obligation

We may process data to comply with legal requirements, including accounting, tax, insurance, and regulatory obligations.

Legitimate Interests

We may process data where it is necessary for our legitimate interests, provided those interests are not overridden by your rights and freedoms. Examples include improving operations, preventing fraud, maintaining business records, and managing service quality.

Consent

Where required, we will rely on your consent. For example, if we need to process optional data or send certain types of communication that require consent, we will seek it clearly and you may withdraw it at any time.

Vital Interests

In rare cases, we may process personal data to protect someone’s vital interests, such as in an emergency involving health or safety.

5. Data Sharing and Processors

We may share personal data with trusted third parties that help us operate our business and provide services. These parties act as processors where they process data on our instructions, or as independent controllers where they determine their own purposes. We ensure that all processors are subject to appropriate contractual terms and data protection safeguards.

Examples of processors and service providers may include:

• IT and cloud storage providers;
• accounting and bookkeeping service providers;
• payment service providers;
• customer management and scheduling systems;
• professional advisers such as legal or insurance advisers;
• subcontractors assisting with removal operations where necessary.

We may also disclose personal data to public authorities, regulators, courts, or law enforcement agencies where required by law or where necessary to protect our rights, property, or safety. We do not sell personal data.

6. International Transfers

If personal data is transferred outside the United Kingdom, we will ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place. This may include using countries with an adequacy decision or implementing approved contractual protections. Any such transfer will be handled in compliance with applicable data protection laws.

7. Data Retention

We retain personal data only for as long as necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. Retention periods vary depending on the type of data and the reason for processing. For example:

• quotation and booking records may be kept for a reasonable period to manage service history and customer support;
• financial and tax records are retained for the period required by law;
• communications and service notes may be retained to handle disputes, claims, or follow-up requests;
• data no longer needed is securely deleted, anonymised, or archived in line with our retention practices.

We regularly review our records to ensure that data is not kept longer than necessary. Retention is based on necessity, legal obligation, and the need to maintain accurate business records.

8. Data Security

We use appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect personal data from unauthorised access, accidental loss, destruction, alteration, or disclosure. These measures may include access controls, secure storage, staff confidentiality obligations, and limited data sharing with trusted parties. While no system can be guaranteed completely secure, we take reasonable steps to protect the information we handle.

9. Your Rights

Under data protection law, you have a number of rights in relation to your personal data. These rights may be subject to conditions and exemptions. They include:

• The right of access: you may request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
• The right to rectification: you may ask us to correct inaccurate or incomplete information.
• The right to erasure: you may request deletion of your data in certain circumstances.
• The right to restrict processing: you may ask us to limit the way we use your data in specific situations.
• The right to object: you may object to processing based on legitimate interests or direct marketing.
• The right to data portability: you may request that certain data be provided in a structured, commonly used format where applicable.
• The right to withdraw consent: where processing is based on consent, you may withdraw it at any time.

If you wish to exercise any of these rights, we will respond in accordance with applicable legal timeframes. We may need to verify your identity before fulfilling your request. If you believe your data protection rights have been breached, you also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

10. Children’s Data

Our services are not directed at children, and we do not knowingly collect personal data from children unless it is necessary in connection with a household move or where provided by an adult customer. If we become aware that we have collected data unlawfully or without proper authority, we will take appropriate steps to delete or protect it.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our services, legal obligations, or data processing practices. Any updated version will apply from the date it is made available. We encourage customers to review this policy periodically so they remain informed about how their data is handled.

12. Summary of Our Commitment

Battersea Removals is committed to respecting your privacy and processing personal data responsibly. We collect only the information needed to provide our services, rely on appropriate lawful bases, retain data only for as long as necessary, and work with processors under suitable safeguards. We aim to be transparent, secure, and fair in every stage of data handling. This policy applies to all Battersea Removals customers in area.