Introduction

A1 Home Inspectors (“we”, “us”, “our”) is a partnership providing Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) services across Bristol and the wider Somerset area.

We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information responsibly and in accordance with UK data protection law, including the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

This policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal information when you use our website or contact us.

1. Information We Collect

We may collect and process the following information:

• Name

• Address (including property address for EPC services)

• Email address

• Telephone number

• Details submitted through our contact or booking forms

• Information relating to EPC appointments or enquiries

• Website usage information through cookies and analytics tools

We only collect information necessary to provide our services or respond to enquiries.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

• Respond to enquiries

• Arrange and carry out EPC assessments

• Contact you regarding appointments

• Issue EPC-related documentation

• Process payments where applicable

• Improve our website and services

• Meet legal or regulatory obligations

We will only use your information where we have a lawful basis to do so.

3. Legal Basis for Processing

Under UK GDPR, we process personal information for one or more of the following reasons:

• To fulfil a contract for services

• To respond to enquiries before entering into a contract

• To comply with legal obligations

• For our legitimate business interests

• Where consent has been given (for example, cookie preferences where applicable)

4. Sharing Your Information

We do not sell or rent your personal information. We may share information with trusted third parties where necessary to provide services or comply with legal requirements, including:

• Accreditation or compliance schemes relevant to EPC services

• Payment providers

• IT or website service providers

• Government or regulatory authorities where legally required

Any third parties are expected to handle personal information securely and lawfully.

5. Data Retention

We only retain personal information for as long as necessary to provide our services and meet legal, professional, and regulatory obligations.

As an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) provider, A1 Home Inspectors is required to comply with the Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations and accreditation requirements. This means we are required to retain records relating to EPC assessments, including property and customer details relevant to the assessment, for a period of 15 years.

These records are stored securely and are only accessed where necessary for business, compliance, audit, or legal purposes. Information may be shared with Elmhurst Energy, our accreditation scheme provider, for quality assurance, audit, and supervisory purposes where required.

We do not sell, rent, or improperly disclose personal information. Any sharing of information is carried out in accordance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements, including UK data protection law.

Once information is no longer required and any legal retention period has expired, records will be securely deleted or destroyed.

6. Website Cookies

Our website may use cookies to improve functionality and understand website usage. Cookies are small files stored on your device. You can usually control or disable cookies through your browser settings. Where required, cookie consent will be requested.

7. Data Security

We take reasonable measures to protect personal information against unauthorised access, loss, misuse, or disclosure. However, no internet transmission can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

8. Your Rights

Under UK data protection law, you may have the right to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you

• Request correction of inaccurate information

• Request deletion of information in certain circumstances

• Object to or restrict processing

• Withdraw consent where processing relies on consent

• Lodge a complaint with the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)

For more information, visit the ICO website.

9. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how your information is handled, please contact us using the details below.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any updates will be posted on this page.