Privacy Policy

This privacy policy sets out how HouseMe uses and protects any information that you give HouseMe when you use this website. By accessing and using this website, you consent to the terms of this privacy policy and agree to be bound by it.

HouseMe is committed to ensuring that your privacy is protected. Should we ask you to provide certain information by which you can be identified when using this website, then you can be assured that it will only be used in accordance with this privacy policy.

HouseMe may change this policy from time to time by updating this page. You should check this page from time to time to ensure that you are happy with any changes.

What we collect
We may collect the following information:

• name and job title
• contact information including email address
• demographic information such as postcode, preferences and interests
• other information relevant to customer surveys and/or offers

Where the collection of personal information is necessary, you will be aware that such information is required because you will have to provide personal details via the website. The personal information that you submit is gathered only on a voluntary basis; you may choose not to provide personal information; however, this may mean that we are unable to provide goods and/or services to you.

What we do with the information we gather
We require this information to understand your needs and provide you with a better service, and in particular for the following reasons:

• Internal record keeping.
• We may use the information to improve our products and services.
• We may periodically send promotional emails about new products, special offers or other information which we think you may find interesting using the email address which you have provided.
• From time to time, we may also use your information to contact you for market research purposes. We may contact you by email, phone, fax or mail.
• We may use the information to customise the website according to your interests.
• We will never sell your information.
• We may use your personal information to send you promotional information about third parties which we think you may find interesting if you tell us that you wish this to happen.

Sharing of Personal Information

Except as described in this privacy policy, we will not share your personal information with a third party, unless it is your request, you consent to such disclosure, or disclosure is required or authorised by law. We reserve the right to disclose personal information to a third party if a law, regulation, search warrant, subpoena, or court order legally requires or authorises us to do so.

We may also share your personal information with authorised third-party contractors and their related companies (as defined in the New Zealand Companies Act 1993), employees and agents for our business purposes. We may also share your personal information for further processing in accordance with the purpose(s) for which the data were originally collected.

We will ensure that all authorised third-party contractors are required to protect personal information disclosed by us and to comply with the general privacy principles described in this privacy policy.

Security
We are committed to ensuring that your information is secure. In order to prevent unauthorised access or disclosure, we have put in place suitable physical, electronic and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect online.

How we use cookies
A cookie is a small file that asks permission to be placed on your computer's hard drive. Once you agree, the file is added and the cookie helps analyse web traffic or lets you know when you visit a particular site. Cookies allow web applications to respond to you as an individual. The web application can tailor its operations to your needs, likes and dislikes by gathering and remembering information about your preferences.

We use traffic log cookies to identify which pages are being used. This helps us analyse data about web page traffic and improve our website in order to tailor it to customer needs. We only use this information for statistical analysis purposes and then the data is removed from the system.

Overall, cookies help us provide you with a better website, by enabling us to monitor which pages you find useful and which you do not. A cookie in no way gives us access to your computer or any information about you, other than the data you choose to share with us.

You can choose to accept or decline cookies. Most web browsers automatically accept cookies, but you can usually modify your browser setting to decline cookies if you prefer. This may prevent you from taking full advantage of the website.

Links to other websites
Our website may contain links to enable you to visit other websites of interest easily. However, once you have used these links to leave our site, you should note that we do not have any control over that other website. Therefore, we cannot be responsible for the protection and privacy of any information which you provide whilst visiting such sites and such sites are not governed by this privacy policy. You should exercise caution and look at the privacy statement applicable to the website in question.

Controlling your personal information
You may choose to restrict the collection or use of your personal information in the following ways:

• whenever you are asked to fill in a form on the website, look for the box that you can click to indicate that you do not want the information to be used by anybody for direct marketing purposes
• if you have previously agreed to us using your personal information for direct marketing purposes, you may change your mind at any time by contacting us (see below)

Please contact us either via email, by letter to: The Data Compliance Officer, HouseMe, PO Box 272-1537, Papakura 2244 or by phone on 0800 468 736.

We will not sell, distribute or lease your personal information to third parties unless we have your permission or are required by law. We may use your personal information to send you promotional information about third parties which we think you may find interesting if you tell us that you wish this to happen.

You may request details of personal information which we hold about you under the Privacy Act 2020. If you would like to view, edit, delete the information held on you please contact us either via email, by letter to: The Data Compliance Officer, HouseMe, PO Box 272-1537, Papakura 2244 or by phone on 0800 468 736. We will promptly correct any information found to be incorrect.

Site Access
This site is controlled and operated from New Zealand. We make no representation or warranty that the material in this site is appropriate or available for use in other countries or that such material satisfies the laws of other countries. If you choose to access this site from countries outside New Zealand, you do so of your own initiative. You are responsible for ensuring that your access to this site is not illegal or prohibited and for compliance with applicable local laws. You may not use or export the materials on this site in violation of New Zealand laws and regulations.

Transfer of personal information outside New Zealand

We may store personal information within services provided by offshore cloud service providers. Some of the recipients of your personal information may be based in countries or regions outside of New Zealand. Accordingly, any personal information that is collected in connection with our services or your use of this site may be transferred to countries or regions with privacy laws that are different from New Zealand’s privacy laws. We will ensure that any such transfer of personal information will only be undertaken in compliance with the Privacy Act.

Intellectual Property Rights
All intellectual property rights in this site (including copyright in all text, graphics, logos, software and icons) are owned by, or licensed to HouseMe. Except as expressly authorised by these terms and conditions, you may not, in any form or by any means, copy, adapt, store, distribute or reproduce any part of this site without the written permission of HouseMe.

Jurisdiction
These terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of New Zealand and shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the New Zealand courts.