English Housing Survey: privacy notice

In line with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), there are certain things that we need to let you, a research participant of the English Housing Survey 2024-25, know about how your information will be processed. For full details of our purpose in collecting and processing the data of this survey, who is going to be able to access the data and all other privacy-related information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/english-housing-survey-privacy-notice-for-survey-participants/english-housing-survey-privacy-notice-for-survey-participants.

How did you choose my address?

We chose your address at random from the Postcode Address File. This file is held by the Post Office and is available to the public.

What is the interview about?

The interview covers a range of topics including your housing circumstances, energy efficiency in your home and satisfaction with your accommodation and neighbourhood. The information you give helps to provide a clearer picture of homes and housing in England. This means the Government can make more informed decisions to shape the future of housing for everyone.

Who is carrying out the study?

NatCen Social Research carries out the study which is funded by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), formerly the Department for Levelling up, Housing and Communities. NatCen is independent of all government departments and political parties. For more information about NatCen visit www.natcen.ac.uk.

What will happen to any information I give?

We will treat information you give in strictest confidence under the EU General Data Protection regulation. Your answers will be combined with those of others who take part and presented anonymously in research reports. Your responses may be combined, for research and statistical purposes only, with information held by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) formerly the Department for Levelling up, Housing and Communities, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and other approved government departments/organisations. Anonymised survey information is provided to other approved organisations for statistical purposes only. All statistics produced are subject to the Code of Practice for Statistics and the same standards of protection are applied to your information at all times. For details of our purpose in collecting and processing the data of this survey, who is going to be able to access the data and all other privacy-related information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/english-housing-survey-privacy-notice-for-survey-participants/english-housing-survey-privacy-notice-for-survey-participants. 

We undertake, use and store the information you give us in accordance with the purposes and processes outlined in the privacy statement available on this website. You will not receive any junk mail or marketing as a result of doing the survey.

What are my rights?

Participation in the research is voluntary. We hope that you will choose to take part as we rely on the voluntary cooperation of people invited to take part to get a clear picture of housing in England.

When we ask you for information, we will keep to the law, including the 2018 Data Protection Act and General Data Protection Regulation. You have the right to request that your data be amended if it is not accurate.

DHLUC is the data controller. You can contact the Data Protection Officer at dataprotection@communities.gov.uk. If you wish to lodge a complaint, you can contact NatCen at EHS@natcen.ac.uk or 0800 652 4572, quoting your reference number printed on your letter. If we cannot resolve your complaint, you can contact the Information Commissioner’s Office – www.ico.org.uk or phone 0303 123 1113.

Where can I find out more?

Visit www.natcen.ac.uk/taking-part/ehs, email us at EHS@natcen.ac.uk or phone us free on 0800 652 4572.