Welcome to HomeShortlist.com. Protecting your privacy and personal data is a core value of our service. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use and protect it, and what rights you have regarding your information when you visit and interact with HomeShortlist.com. Please read this policy carefully to understand our practices.
1. Scope and Acceptance
This Privacy Policy applies to all visitors, users, and others who access or use HomeShortlist.com, including any mobile or other versions of the site, and any services offered through the site. By accessing or using HomeShortlist.com, you accept the terms of this Privacy Policy and consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of your information as described here.
2. Information We Collect
We collect information that you provide directly, information collected automatically, and information from third-party sources. The categories below describe the types of information we may collect and process.
2.1 Information You Provide Directly
- Account Information: If you register for an account or create a profile, we may collect your name, email address, password, and any profile details you choose to provide.
- Communications: When you contact us through site forms, newsletters, comments, or other messaging features, we collect the content of your message and any contact information you provide.
- Listings and Preferences: If you save properties, set search preferences, or submit reviews, we collect the data you enter including saved searches, favorite listings, and any notes or ratings you provide.
- Transaction Information: For any paid services, we may collect billing and payment details necessary to process transactions. Payment processing may be handled by third-party payment processors; we do not store full payment card details on our servers unless explicitly stated.
2.2 Information Collected Automatically
- Usage Data: We automatically collect information about how you access and use the site, including pages viewed, search queries, clicks, time spent on pages, and other interaction data.
- Device and Technical Data: We collect technical details such as your IP address, browser type and version, operating system, device identifiers, screen resolution, and language preferences.
- Location Data: We may infer coarse location data from your IP address. If you permit location access through your device or browser, we may collect precise location information to improve local search results and recommendations.
- Cookies and Similar Technologies: We use cookies, web beacons, local storage, and similar technologies to collect and store information described in the Cookies section below.
2.3 Information from Third Parties
We may obtain information from third parties such as analytics providers, advertising partners, data enrichment services, and public sources. This may include demographic or interest information used to personalize content and advertising.
3. How We Use Your Information
We use collected information for a variety of purposes, including to operate, maintain, and improve the site and services, to understand how users engage with the site, and to deliver relevant content and offers. Specific uses include:
- Service Delivery: To provide, personalize, and enhance HomeShortlist.com features and functionality, including search results, saved searches, and property recommendations.
- Account Management: To create, maintain, and secure user accounts, process transactions, and communicate important account or service-related information.
- Communications: To respond to inquiries, send newsletters, updates, promotional materials (where permitted), and administrative messages.
- Analytics and Performance: To analyze usage patterns, monitor performance, troubleshoot issues, and optimize the site experience.
- Advertising and Personalization: To serve and improve advertising, and to personalize content, offers, and recommendations based on user behavior and preferences.
- Legal and Safety: To detect, prevent, and address fraud, security risks, violations of our terms, and other illegal or harmful activities.
4. Cookies and Similar Technologies
HomeShortlist.com uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience, remember preferences, and provide tailored content. This section explains the types of cookies we use and how you can control them.
4.1 Types of Cookies We Use
- Essential Cookies: Necessary for basic site functionality such as login, security, and session management. These cookies cannot be disabled without impacting the site’s core functions.
- Performance and Analytics Cookies: Collect anonymous data about how users interact with the site, which helps us improve performance and usability. We may use third-party analytics providers to process this information.
- Functional Cookies: Remember user choices and preferences, such as language, saved searches, and theme settings, to provide a more personalized experience.
- Advertising and Targeting Cookies: Used to deliver relevant advertisements and measure the effectiveness of ad campaigns. These cookies may be placed by third-party advertising networks.
4.2 How to Manage Cookies
You can manage or disable cookies through your browser settings. Disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality and user experience of the site. For more fine-grained control, you may opt out of some third-party tracking through industry tools and browser add-ons.
5. Third-Party Links and Services
HomeShortlist.com may contain links to third-party websites, services, and social media platforms. These links are provided for your convenience and do not imply endorsement. When you follow links to third-party sites, you should review their privacy policies as we are not responsible for their practices.
Third-party services we may use include but are not limited to analytics providers, advertising networks, payment processors, property listing feeds, mapping providers, and social login services. These third parties may collect information directly from your device or through cookies and other technologies. We recommend reviewing their privacy policies for details on how they handle your data.
6. Affiliate Links and Advertising
HomeShortlist.com may participate in affiliate marketing programs and display third-party advertisements. Some content may contain affiliate links through which we may earn commissions if you click and complete a purchase or action on the partner’s site.
- Transparency: We strive to disclose when content contains affiliate links or sponsored material. Affiliate relationships do not influence our editorial decisions or ratings of products and services.
- Data Sharing with Affiliates: When you interact with affiliate links or advertisements, the affiliate or advertising partner may receive information about your interaction, such as click data, conversion events, or device data. These partners may use their own cookies and tracking technologies.
7. How We Share Your Information
We may share personal information in the following circumstances:
- With Service Providers: We share data with vendors and subprocessors who perform services on our behalf, such as hosting, analytics, payment processing, email delivery, and customer support.
- With Partners and Affiliates: For co-marketing, affiliate, or joint service endeavors, we may share limited information needed to facilitate those services.
- For Legal Reasons: We may disclose information to comply with legal obligations, respond to lawful requests from public authorities, protect our rights and property, or prevent fraud and security incidents.
- Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, bankruptcy, or sale of assets, user information may be transferred as part of the transaction. We will make reasonable efforts to notify users of any such change in ownership or control.
8. Data Security and Retention
We implement appropriate technical, administrative, and organizational measures to protect personal information against unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction. Examples include encryption of sensitive data, access controls, and regular security assessments.
We retain personal information as long as necessary to provide services and fulfill the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. Retention periods vary by type of data and purpose; when information is no longer necessary, we will securely delete or anonymize it.
9. Children’s Privacy
HomeShortlist.com is not directed at children under the age of 16. We do not knowingly collect or solicit personal information from children under 16. If you become aware that a child under 16 has provided us with personal information without parental consent, please take steps to have that information removed from the site. We will promptly delete any such information when discovered.
10. International Data Transfers
HomeShortlist.com may operate and store data in multiple countries. If you are located outside the country where the data is processed, your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in jurisdictions with different data protection laws. Where required by law, we will take steps to ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for international transfers.
11. Your Rights and Choices
Depending on your jurisdiction and local law, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information. To exercise any rights described below, you may use account settings where available or follow any permitted in-product mechanisms. If further steps are needed, in many cases the applicable law requires verification of identity before fulfilling a request.
- Access: You may request access to the personal information we hold about you, including a copy of that information and details about how it is processed.
- Correction: You may request correction of inaccurate or incomplete personal information.
- Deletion: You may request deletion of your personal information, subject to legal exceptions and our need to retain certain information for legitimate business or compliance purposes.
- Restriction or Objection: You may request that we restrict processing or object to certain types of data processing, including for direct marketing purposes where applicable.
- Data Portability: Where applicable, you may request a machine-readable copy of your personal data for transfer to another service provider.
- Opt-Out of Marketing: You can opt out of receiving promotional emails and marketing communications by following unsubscribe links in those communications or by adjusting your account preferences.
- Cookie and Tracking Choices: You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings or any cookie controls provided on the site.
Please note that exercising certain rights may affect your ability to use or access some features of the site.
12. Updates to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or services. When we make material changes, we will provide notice by posting the new policy on the site and indicating the date of the update. Continued use of HomeShortlist.com after such changes will constitute acceptance of the revised policy.
13. Legal Bases for Processing (where applicable)
For visitors in jurisdictions that require us to identify legal bases for processing personal data, we rely on one or more of the following bases depending on the processing activity:
- Contractual Necessity: Processing necessary to perform the contract between you and HomeShortlist.com, such as account administration and transaction processing.
- Consent: Where you have given consent for specific processing activities, such as receiving marketing communications.
- Legitimate Interests: Processing necessary for our legitimate interests, such as improving the site, ensuring security, and protecting against fraud, provided those interests are not overridden by your rights.
- Legal Obligation: Processing necessary to comply with applicable laws and lawful requests from public authorities.
14. Special Notices
Third-Party Content and Embeds: Content embedded from other sites, such as maps or listing feeds, may collect and communicate data directly with the third-party provider. Your interaction with embedded content is subject to the third party’s terms and privacy practices.
Promotions and Contests: If we run promotions or contests, separate terms and privacy notices may apply that describe how we collect and use personal data for those activities.
15. How to Exercise Your Rights
To exercise any rights available to you under this Privacy Policy or applicable law, please use the account settings and opt-out mechanisms provided on HomeShortlist.com. Where these controls are not available, you may follow the site’s help or preference options to manage communications, cookies, and other settings. Appropriate identity verification may be required to complete certain requests in order to protect your security and privacy.
Thank you for trusting HomeShortlist.com. We are committed to protecting your personal data and providing a transparent, secure experience as you search for and shortlist homes. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically for updates.