Propertymark is reminding all agents and suppliers, including sole traders, that they must register with the Information Commissioner’s Office if they process personal information. 

Failure to do so is a criminal violence under the Data Protection Act 2018.

“The ICO is the UK’s independent body for upholding information rights and registering will only take 15 minutes. This will make sure you are GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) compliant and avoid a fine ranging from £400 to £4,000” explains Propertymark in a message to members. 

Agencies, suppliers and sole traders must pay an annual data protection fee ranging from £40 and £2,900 depending on the company’s size and turnover.

Propertymark suggests most agency organisations will pay between £40 and £60.

Propertymark advises: “In cases where more than one party is involved with handling data, the registration depends on whether an individual or organisation holds personal data. 

“All private and commercial landlords must register too. They are categorised as running a business whereby they receive and store personal data on existing and previous tenants on any electronic device.