Our Commitment to Your Privacy
MLS Group Plumbing ("we", "our", or "us") is committed to protecting your personal information and respecting your privacy. This policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your data in compliance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
Data Controller Information
MLS Group Plumbing
Part of: MLS Group
Email: info@mlsgroupplumbing.co.uk
Phone: 01737 511 772
Website: www.mlsgroupplumbing.co.uk
Information We Collect
Information You Provide
When you contact us or request our services, we may collect:
- Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number, postal address
- Service Details: Property address, postcode, service requirements, problem descriptions
- Communication Data: Enquiry messages, availability preferences, correspondence history
- Payment Information: Billing address, payment method details (processed securely by payment providers)
Information Collected Automatically
When you visit our website, we automatically collect:
- Technical Data: IP address, browser type, device type, operating system
- Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent, navigation paths, referral sources
- Location Data: Approximate geographic location based on IP address
- Cookie Data: As described in our Cookie Policy
How We Use Your Information
Service Delivery (Contractual Necessity)
- Process and respond to service enquiries
- Schedule and provide plumbing services
- Communicate about appointments and service updates
- Process payments and issue invoices
Legitimate Interests
- Improve our website and services
- Analyse website traffic and usage patterns
- Prevent fraud and enhance security
- Respond to customer service requests
- Send service reminders and maintenance tips
Legal Obligations
- Comply with legal and regulatory requirements
- Maintain records for tax and accounting purposes
- Respond to lawful requests from authorities
With Your Consent
- Send marketing communications (if opted in)
- Use analytics cookies to improve user experience
- Share testimonials or reviews
Legal Basis for Processing
Under UK GDPR, we process your personal data based on the following legal grounds:
| Purpose | Legal Basis |
|---|---|
| Providing plumbing services | Contract performance |
| Responding to enquiries | Legitimate interests |
| Website analytics | Consent (via cookies) |
| Tax records | Legal obligation |
| Marketing emails | Consent |
Data Sharing and Disclosure
We may share your information with:
Service Providers
Trusted third parties who assist in operating our business:
- FormSubmit.co (contact form processing)
- Google Analytics (website analytics)
- Vercel (website hosting and analytics)
- Payment processors (secure payment handling)
- Email service providers
Legal Requirements
We may disclose information when legally required, such as to comply with a court order, legal process, or government request.
Business Transfers
In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the successor entity.
We never sell your personal information to third parties.
Your Rights Under UK GDPR
You have the following rights regarding your personal data:
Right to Access
Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you
Right to Rectification
Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data
Right to Erasure
Request deletion of your data (subject to legal obligations)
Right to Restrict Processing
Request limitation on how we use your data
Right to Data Portability
Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format
Right to Object
Object to processing based on legitimate interests or direct marketing
Right to Withdraw Consent
Withdraw consent at any time where processing is based on consent
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at info@mlsgroupplumbing.co.uk.
Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal data:
- Secure HTTPS encryption for all data transmission
- Regular security assessments and updates
- Access controls and authentication measures
- Employee training on data protection
- Secure third-party service providers
- Regular backups and disaster recovery procedures
Data Retention
We retain your personal data only as long as necessary for the purposes outlined in this policy:
| Data Type | Retention Period |
|---|---|
| Service records | 6 years (warranty and legal purposes) |
| Financial records | 7 years (tax requirements) |
| Enquiry data (not converted) | 12 months |
| Website analytics | 26 months (Google Analytics default) |
| Marketing consent | Until withdrawn |
International Data Transfers
Some of our service providers may process data outside the UK. When this occurs, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place:
- Standard contractual clauses approved by the UK ICO
- Adequacy decisions for countries with equivalent data protection
- Privacy Shield certification (where applicable)
Children's Privacy
Our services are not directed to individuals under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe we have inadvertently collected data from a child, please contact us immediately.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. We will notify you of significant changes by:
- Updating the "Last Updated" date at the top
- Displaying a notice on our website
- Emailing you if we have your contact details
Complaints
If you have concerns about how we handle your personal data, please contact us first. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office:
Information Commissioner's Office
Website: ico.org.uk
Phone: 0303 123 1113
Live chat: Available on ICO website
Contact Us
For any questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices:
MLS Group Plumbing Data Protection
Email: info@mlsgroupplumbing.co.uk
Phone: 01737 511 772
Post: MLS Group Plumbing, [Your Business Address]
Website: www.mlsgroupplumbing.co.uk