Privacy Policy

Bensleys Timber Maintenance Co Ltd (“we”, “us”, “our”) is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and share your personal data when you visit our website (www.bensleys.co.uk) or engage our services, in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

1. Data Controller Details

Company Name: Bensleys Timber Maintenance Co Ltd
Data Controller: Mark J. Browne
Registered Office: 10 De Montfort Road, Brighton, BN2 3AU
Email: admin@bensleys.co.uk
Telephone: 01273 600700

2. Information We Collect About You

We may collect, store, and process the following categories of personal data:

Identity & Contact Data: Name, job title, postal address, email address, and phone number.
Service & Order Details: Information regarding enquiries, site surveys, quotes, damp/timber treatments, purchase history, and correspondence.
Financial & Transaction Data: Bank details or payment card information processed securely via third-party providers.
Technical & Usage Data: IP address, browser type, device information, operating system, pages visited, and general geographic location derived from web analytics.

3. Lawful Basis for Processing

We only process your personal data where we have a lawful basis under UK GDPR:

Contractual Necessity: To perform an inspection, provide quotes, or complete timber/damp maintenance services you requested.
Legitimate Interests: To run our business effectively, respond to enquiries, prevent fraud, and improve our services.
Legal Obligation: To retain transaction and tax records as required by HMRC and UK company law.
Consent: Where you have explicitly opted in to receive marketing communications or non-essential website cookies.

4. How We Share Your Data

We do not sell your data. We only share information with trusted third parties necessary to run our business or comply with legal requirements:

Professional Advisors & Financial Institutions: Healys Solicitors, NatWest Bank, and accountancy services.
Service Providers: Web hosting providers, IT support, payment processors, and review/feedback platforms.
Legal Authorities: Regulatory bodies, courts, or government agencies when required by law or to defend our rights.
If data is transferred outside the UK/EEA (e.g., via cloud software providers), we ensure standard contractual clauses or equivalent legal safeguards are in place.

5. Data Retention

We retain personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purpose for which it was collected:

Customer Enquiries (No Purchase): Retained for up to 2 years.
Client Orders & Guarantees: Retained for the duration of the guarantee/warranty period (e.g., up to 20 years for timber/damp guarantees).
Financial & Tax Records: Retained for 6 years + current tax year to comply with HMRC requirements.

6. Security of Your Data

We employ appropriate technical and organizational measures to safeguard your personal data against unauthorized access, loss, or disclosure. Online bank transmissions are protected by cryptographic protocols (SSL/TLS).

7. Cookies & Tracking

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to ensure functionality and analyze traffic. For detailed information on the cookies we use and your choices, please view our Cookie Policy.

8. Your Legal Rights

Under UK GDPR, you have the following rights regarding your personal data:
Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
Erasure (“Right to be Forgotten”): Request deletion of data where legal retention periods do not apply.
Restriction or Objection: Object to or restrict processing based on legitimate interests or direct marketing.
Data Portability: Request transfer of your data to another party in a structured format.
Withdraw Consent: Withdraw marketing consent at any time without impacting prior lawful processing.
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at admin@bensleys.co.uk. We will respond within one calendar month at no charge.
If you believe we are mishandling your data, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO):
Website: www.ico.org.uk
Address: Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF