Privacy Policy | Elders Real Estate Goolwa

1. Introduction
Simpson & Bradley Pty. Ltd. trading as Elders Real Estate Goolwa (“Elders Goolwa”, “we”, “us” or “our”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal information we collect, hold, use and disclose in the course of conducting our business.

This Privacy Policy explains how we manage personal information in accordance with applicable Australian privacy laws, including the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), where applicable.

Our business activities include:

residential and rural real estate sales;
permanent property management;
holiday rental management and accommodation services;
commercial property management; and
related real estate and property services.
This Privacy Policy applies to personal information collected through our website, our office, telephone and email communications, property inspections, applications, agreements, online platforms and other interactions with our business.

2. What is Personal Information?
Personal information is information or an opinion about an identified individual, or an individual who is reasonably identifiable.

The types of personal information we collect will depend on the nature of your dealings with us and the services we provide.

Personal information we may collect includes:

your name;
residential, postal and previous addresses;
telephone numbers;
email addresses;
date of birth;
occupation and employment details;
identification documents and information;
financial and banking information;
property ownership information;
information relating to the purchase, sale, lease or management of property;
rental history and tenancy information;
information contained in rental or accommodation applications;
references and referee details;
emergency contact details;
information relating to holiday accommodation bookings;
details of enquiries, complaints and correspondence;
photographs, video footage or other information collected during property inspections or in connection with property management activities;
information provided through our website, online enquiry forms or third-party property platforms;
information about your interactions with our website and online services; and
any other information reasonably necessary for us to provide our services or conduct our business.
Where reasonably practicable, you may interact with us anonymously or by using a pseudonym. However, due to the nature of real estate transactions, property management and accommodation services, there will be many circumstances where we are unable to provide services without collecting identifying information.

3. Sensitive Information
In some circumstances, we may collect information that is considered sensitive information under Australian privacy laws.

We will only collect sensitive information where:

you have consented to its collection;
the collection is reasonably necessary for one or more of our functions or activities; or
the collection is otherwise permitted or required by law.
4. How We Collect Personal Information
We may collect personal information directly from you when you:

contact or communicate with us;
visit our office;
use our website;
complete an online or paper enquiry form;
attend an open inspection or property viewing;
request a property appraisal;
list a property for sale or lease;
make an offer to purchase a property;
purchase or sell a property;
apply to rent a property;
enter into a residential or commercial tenancy;
make a holiday accommodation enquiry or booking;
enter into a property management agreement;
subscribe to marketing communications;
participate in a promotion, survey or competition;
make a complaint or provide feedback; or
otherwise use our services.
We may also collect personal information from third parties where it is lawful and reasonable to do so.

These third parties may include:

property owners, landlords and vendors;
prospective purchasers and tenants;
referees;
employers;
other real estate agents;
property managers;
conveyancers and settlement agents;
legal representatives;
financial institutions;
insurers;
government departments and agencies;
publicly available records and databases;
tenancy databases and screening services;
utility connection providers;
tradespeople and contractors;
online property portals;
holiday accommodation booking platforms;
social media platforms; and
other service providers and business partners.
5. Why We Collect, Hold, Use and Disclose Personal Information
We collect, hold, use and disclose personal information where reasonably necessary to conduct our business and provide our services.

This may include using personal information to:

provide real estate sales services;
market and sell residential, rural and commercial property;
conduct property appraisals;
communicate with vendors, purchasers and prospective purchasers;
manage residential and commercial rental properties;
process rental applications;
assess prospective tenants;
communicate with landlords, tenants and prospective tenants;
arrange property inspections;
coordinate property repairs and maintenance;
communicate with tradespeople and contractors;
manage holiday accommodation properties and bookings;
communicate with holiday property owners and guests;
process payments, deposits, bonds, refunds and other transactions;
administer agreements and contractual arrangements;
maintain business and transaction records;
respond to enquiries, requests, complaints and feedback;
comply with legal, regulatory and professional obligations;
manage safety, security and risk;
prevent or investigate suspected fraud or unlawful activity;
improve our services and business operations;
undertake business administration and reporting;
provide information about properties, services and opportunities that may be of interest to you; and
conduct other activities reasonably related to our business functions.
6. Real Estate Sales
When providing real estate sales services, we may collect personal information from vendors, purchasers, prospective purchasers and other individuals involved in a property transaction.

We may use and disclose this information for purposes including:

conducting property appraisals;
preparing agency agreements and other documents;
marketing properties;
arranging and conducting property inspections;
communicating with interested parties;
processing and communicating offers;
facilitating contracts and settlements;
communicating with conveyancers, legal representatives and financial institutions;
complying with identification, record-keeping and other legal obligations; and
managing our relationship with clients and customers.
7. Permanent and Commercial Property Management
When providing residential or commercial property management services, we may collect information from landlords, tenants, prospective tenants, guarantors, referees, contractors and other relevant parties.

This information may be used and disclosed for purposes including:

assessing rental applications;
verifying identity, employment, income and rental history;
contacting references and referees;
conducting tenancy database checks where permitted by law;
preparing and administering tenancy agreements;
collecting rent, bonds and other payments;
conducting property inspections;
arranging repairs and maintenance;
managing tenancy matters, disputes and complaints;
communicating with landlords and tenants;
complying with legal and regulatory obligations; and
managing properties on behalf of our clients.
8. Holiday Rentals and Accommodation
When providing holiday rental and accommodation services, we may collect personal information from property owners, guests and other individuals involved in bookings or property management.

We may use and disclose this information for purposes including:

processing accommodation enquiries and bookings;
verifying guest details;
processing payments, deposits and refunds;
communicating booking information;
providing check-in and property access instructions;
managing guest requests and enquiries;
arranging cleaning, repairs and maintenance;
responding to incidents, complaints or property damage;
communicating with holiday property owners;
complying with legal obligations; and
managing and improving our holiday accommodation services.
9. Disclosure of Personal Information
We may disclose personal information to third parties where reasonably necessary to provide our services, conduct our business or comply with our legal obligations.

These third parties may include:

vendors and property owners;
purchasers and prospective purchasers;
landlords and tenants;
prospective tenants;
holiday property owners and guests;
Elders group companies, offices and related entities where appropriate;
other real estate agents and agencies;
conveyancers and settlement agents;
solicitors, accountants and other professional advisers;
financial institutions and payment service providers;
insurers and insurance service providers;
tradespeople, cleaners, maintenance providers and contractors;
utility connection providers;
tenancy database and screening providers;
property advertising websites and online platforms;
holiday accommodation booking platforms;
website, software, technology and data storage providers;
marketing and communications providers;
government departments, regulators, courts and law enforcement agencies; and
any other person or organisation where you have consented to the disclosure or where disclosure is authorised or required by law.
We do not sell personal information to third parties.

10. Direct Marketing
We may use personal information to communicate with you about properties, services, market information and other opportunities that we believe may be of interest to you.

These communications may be sent by email, telephone, SMS, post or other electronic means where permitted by law.

You may request to stop receiving direct marketing communications from us at any time by:

using the unsubscribe facility contained in an electronic marketing communication;
contacting our office; or
emailing us at admin@eldersgoolwa.com.au.
We will take reasonable steps to action your request within an appropriate period.

Even if you opt out of receiving marketing communications, we may still contact you where necessary in connection with an existing transaction, agreement, booking, tenancy, property management arrangement or other business relationship.

11. Our Website
Our website is www.eldersgoolwa.com.au.

When you visit our website, certain information may be collected automatically.

This may include:

your Internet Protocol (IP) address;
browser type;
device information;
operating system;
pages visited;
dates and times of visits;
referring websites; and
information about how you interact with our website.
We may use this information to:

operate and maintain our website;
understand how visitors use our website;
improve website performance and user experience;
maintain website security;
analyse website traffic; and
support our marketing activities.
12. Cookies and Online Technologies
Our website and online services may use cookies and similar technologies.

Cookies are small data files stored on your device that can assist websites in recognising your browser, remembering preferences and understanding how visitors use a website.

We may use cookies and similar technologies for purposes including:

website functionality;
website security;
remembering user preferences;
website traffic analysis;
measuring advertising effectiveness; and
improving our online services.
You may be able to manage or disable cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of our website.

Third-party services used in connection with our website may also use cookies and similar technologies in accordance with their own privacy policies.

13. Third-Party Websites and Online Platforms
Our website and communications may contain links to third-party websites, services and online platforms.

These may include:

property advertising portals;
social media platforms;
accommodation booking services;
payment providers; and
other third-party services.
We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of third-party websites and services.

We encourage you to review the privacy policies of third parties before providing personal information to them.

14. Social Media
We may use social media platforms to promote properties, communicate with customers and provide information about our business.

If you interact with us through social media, the relevant social media provider may collect, use and disclose your personal information in accordance with its own privacy policy and terms of use.

Information you choose to make publicly available through social media may be viewed, collected or used by others.

15. Overseas Disclosure of Personal Information
Some of our service providers, technology providers, software systems, cloud storage providers, property platforms or other third parties may store or process information outside Australia.

As a result, personal information may in some circumstances be disclosed to, stored in or accessed from overseas locations.

The countries in which information may be stored or accessed can vary depending on the service providers and systems we use.

Where required by applicable privacy laws, we will take reasonable steps in relation to overseas disclosures of personal information.

16. Storage and Security of Personal Information
We may hold personal information in electronic and physical forms.

We take reasonable steps to protect personal information from misuse, interference, loss, unauthorised access, unauthorised modification and unauthorised disclosure.

Security measures may include:

password-protected systems;
access controls;
physical security measures;
technology and network security;
staff procedures and training;
secure document storage; and
the use of reputable third-party service providers.
While we take reasonable steps to protect personal information, no method of electronic transmission or storage is completely secure.

17. Retention and Destruction of Personal Information
We retain personal information for as long as reasonably necessary to:

provide our services;
manage our business relationships;
maintain appropriate business records;
resolve disputes;
comply with contractual obligations; and
comply with legal, regulatory and professional requirements.
When personal information is no longer required and we are not legally required to retain it, we will take reasonable steps to destroy or permanently de-identify it.

18. Data Breaches
We take the security of personal information seriously.

If we become aware of a suspected or actual data breach, we will take reasonable steps to investigate, contain and respond to the breach.

Where required by the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), including under the Notifiable Data Breaches scheme, we will notify affected individuals and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.

19. Access to Personal Information
You may request access to personal information we hold about you.

Requests should be made using the contact details provided at the end of this Privacy Policy.

We will respond to requests within a reasonable period.

In some circumstances, we may refuse access to some or all of the personal information requested where permitted by law.

If we refuse access, we will generally provide written reasons for the refusal and information about available complaint mechanisms where required.

We may require you to verify your identity before providing access to personal information.

20. Correction of Personal Information
We take reasonable steps to ensure the personal information we hold is accurate, complete and up to date.

If you believe personal information we hold about you is inaccurate, out of date, incomplete, irrelevant or misleading, you may request that we correct it.

We will take reasonable steps to respond to correction requests in accordance with applicable privacy laws.

21. Privacy Complaints
If you have a question or concern about how we manage personal information, or believe we have breached your privacy rights, please contact us using the details below.

Please provide sufficient information about your concern or complaint so that we can properly investigate the matter.

We will:

acknowledge your complaint where appropriate;
investigate the circumstances;
request additional information if necessary; and
respond within a reasonable period.
We will endeavour to resolve privacy complaints fairly and promptly.

If you are not satisfied with our response, you may be entitled to make a complaint to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner or another relevant regulatory authority.

22. Children’s Personal Information
Our services are generally intended for adults.

However, we may in some circumstances collect personal information relating to children, including in connection with tenancy applications, accommodation bookings or other property-related services.

Where appropriate, we will take reasonable steps to obtain information from or with the involvement of a parent, guardian or authorised representative.

23. Automated Decision-Making
We may use software, technology platforms and third-party service providers to assist with the administration and delivery of our services.

In some circumstances, these systems may process personal information to assist with activities such as managing enquiries, applications, bookings, communications, marketing, risk assessment or other business processes.

Where required by applicable privacy laws, we will provide information about the types of personal information used in substantially automated decisions that could reasonably be expected to significantly affect the rights or interests of individuals.

24. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may review and update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect:

changes to our business operations;
changes to our technology and service providers;
changes to legal or regulatory requirements; and
changes to the way we collect, hold, use or disclose personal information.
The current version of our Privacy Policy will be published on our website.

The date of the most recent update will be displayed at the beginning of the policy.

25. Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, wish to request access to or correction of your personal information, or wish to make a privacy complaint, please contact:

Privacy Officer
Simpson & Bradley Pty. Ltd. T/A Elders Real Estate Goolwa
ABN 60 219 499 834

Website: www.eldersgoolwa.com.au
Email: admin@eldersgoolwa.com.au

We will endeavour to respond to privacy enquiries and complaints within a reasonable period.