YOUR
PRIVACY AND THE REAL ESTATE TRANSACTION
FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS…
1. WHAT IS PERSONAL
INFORMATION?
Personal information
is any information about an identifiable
individual. This does not include certain
information which is publicly available
such as a phone directory listing your
name, address and telephone number.
2. HOW DO REALTORS
COLLECT PERSONAL INFORMATION?
Most information will
be obtained directly from you, the client.
REALTORS may also collect information
from other sources such as credit bureaus
and government agencies, as needed. At
the time information is collected, you
will be told what uses will be made of
it, and your consent to that collection
and use will be obtained.
3. WHAT DO REALTORS
DO WITH MY INFORMATION?
Your information is
used to facilitate the real estate transaction.
Effectively marketing your house involves
advertising the property in any medium,
including electronic media (e.g. newspapers,
real estate publications, Internet websites)
and disclosing property information to
other salespersons and prospective buyers.
If the listing is on MLS®, the property
information will be given to the real
estate board or boards operating the
Multiple Listing Service(s) ®. The
listing information will be distributed
through the MLS® system to any persons
authorized to use the service (which
may include other REALTORS, appraisers,
government departments and others) and
may be marketed by the board in various
media, including the Internet. Property
information, including sales date, is
kept in the MLS® database following
the completion of the transaction and
is available to users of the system for
comparative market analysis and valuation
purposes. Both current and historical
data is essential to the operation of
the MLS® system and by placing your
listing on the MLS® system, you are
agreeing to allow this ongoing use of
listing and sales information.
4. HOW DO I FIND
OUT WHAT PERSONAL INFORMATION A REALTOR
HAS ABOUT ME?
You should be able
to see your personal information held
by a realty firm or real estate board/association
by calling, writing or visiting the organization
in person. There may be specific procedures
you have to follow or forms you have
to fill out, and the firm or board/association
has the right to charge a minimal fee
for the service.
5. CAN I CORRECT
MY PERSONAL INFORMATION IF IT IS WRONG?
Yes, you can. Contact
the particular firm or board/association,
explain the correction you are requesting
and why. If you can show that the information
is inaccurate or incomplete, you have
the right to request that a correction
be placed in the file or database to
identify any inaccuracy.
6. IS THERE A REVIEW
PROCESS?
Yes. If you have any
questions or concerns about the way your
personal information has been collected,
use or disclosed or if access to your
personal information has been improperly
refused, or if the company has refused
to correct erroneous information, try
to settle the matter directly with the
firm. It has procedures in place to respond
to complaints. If you’re not satisfied,
you can contact the Privacy Commissioner
of Canada at info@privcom.gc.ca or
by calling 1-800-282-1376.
PRIVACY
CODE:
REALTORS abide by the Privacy
Code of The Canadian Real Estate Association,
which sets out the commitment of the REALTORS
and your rights regarding the privacy of
your personal information. We will:
- Obtain your consent
when we collect, use or disclose your
personal information
- Only use the information
for the purposes we discussed with you
- Allow you access to
your information
- Have privacy policies
that are clear and understandable
PROTECTING YOUR PRIVACY:
IT’S OUR BUSINESS
In the usual course of
real estate transactions, REALTORS may require
personal and property information from buyers
and sellers. Collecting and sharing this
information is an essential part of the buying
and selling process. At the same time, few
things are more important to individuals
that their privacy. REALTORS recognize the
rights of buyers and sellers to protect and
control their personal information. REALTORS
are committed to using fair information practices
when we do with your information. This brochure
explains what we do with your information
and how you control it. If you have any questions,
speak to your REALTOR or contact your local
real estate board.
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