PRIVACY POLICY

Effective Date: October 2025

Our Commitment to Your Privacy

Ascension Real Estate (referred to as "Ascension," "we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting the privacy of your personal information. We understand that as an investment-focused client, a prospective renter, or a service provider, you trust us to handle your data with confidence and care. This policy outlines how we collect, use, store, and disclose your personal information in compliance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).

1. What is Personal Information and Why We Collect It

Personal information is information or an opinion about an identified individual, or an individual who is reasonably identifiable. We collect personal information to provide our core services, which are comprehensive property management, leasing, and investment strategy services across the Melbourne growth corridor.

We typically collect the following types of information:

  • For Rental Providers/Landlords:

    • Information Collected: Name, address (residential and postal), contact details (phone/email), banking details (for rent disbursement), investment goals, and property ownership details.

    • Purpose: To manage the property, disburse rent, provide financial statements for tax purposes, and execute the management agreement.

  • For Renters/Applicants:

    • Information Collected: Name, contact details, identification (driver’s licence, passport), employment details, income, rental history references, credit checks, next of kin details, and all information provided on the tenancy application form.

    • Purpose: To assess suitability for tenancy, verify identity, manage the tenancy, collect rent, and conduct VCAT proceedings if necessary.

  • For Service Providers/Vendors (Tradespeople):

    • Information Collected: Name, contact details, ABN, insurance details, and banking details.

    • Purpose: To engage services for property maintenance, process invoices, and manage compliance.

2. How We Collect Personal Information

We collect personal information in several ways:

  • Directly from You: When you fill out an Appraisal Request, a Tenancy Application, sign a Management Agreement, communicate with us via phone or email, or use our Owner Portal/Tenant Portal.

  • From Third Parties: We may collect information from public sources, credit reporting agencies (for tenancy screening), tenancy databases, and previous managing agents or rental providers (for reference checks).

  • Website/Digital: Through cookies, analytics, and forms submitted on our Squarespace platform (for lead generation and usage tracking).

3. Use and Disclosure of Personal Information

We will only use or disclose your information for the primary purpose for which it was collected, or for a related secondary purpose that you would reasonably expect.

We may disclose your information to:

  • Tradespeople & Contractors: To facilitate necessary repairs and maintenance at your rental property.

  • Government Bodies: VCAT (Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal), Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV), Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA), or other tribunals/courts when required for compliance, dispute resolution, or debt recovery.

  • Third-Party Providers: Financial institutions (for payment processing), third-party listing portals (like https://www.google.com/search?q=realestate.com.au and Domain), or digital maintenance reporting platforms.

  • Buyers Advocates/Solicitors: With the owner’s consent, we may provide property or tenancy details to professionals involved in the sale or purchase of an investment property.

  • Credit Reporting Agencies: To check an applicant’s tenancy history.

  • Law Enforcement: Where required or authorised by Australian law.

4. Direct Marketing

As an investor, we may use your information to provide you with insights, market reports, and information relevant to your investment strategy (e.g., changes in Victorian rental legislation, rent review updates).

  • We use the confidence of our brand, "ARE you ready for better?", to drive engagement.

  • If you do not wish to receive marketing communications, you can easily opt-out at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in our emails or contacting our Privacy Officer directly.

5. Security of Information

We store your personal information digitally using modern, secure systems (e.g., cloud-based property management software and secure portals). We take reasonable steps to protect the information we hold from misuse, interference, loss, unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure.

  • Our Owner Portal provides you with secure, authenticated access to your financial and property data.

  • We use industry-standard encryption and security protocols for online data transmission.

  • When personal information is no longer needed, we take reasonable steps to destroy or permanently de-identify it.

6. Accessing and Correcting Your Information

We rely on you to ensure the personal information we hold is accurate, complete, and up-to-date.

  • You have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you.

  • You may request that we correct any information you believe is inaccurate, incomplete, or misleading.

  • All requests for access or correction should be made in writing to our Privacy Officer. We aim to respond within 30 days.

7. Lodging a Privacy Complaint

If you believe we have breached the Australian Privacy Principles or this policy, please contact our Privacy Officer immediately using the details below. We take all complaints seriously and aim to resolve them promptly and fairly.

If you are not satisfied with our response, you may refer your complaint to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).

8. Contact Information (Privacy Officer)

For any questions, requests regarding this policy, or to lodge a complaint, please contact:

Privacy Officer: Lehna, Director Ascension Real Estate
Email: hello@ascensionre.com.au

Ascension Real Estate reserves the right to modify or amend this Privacy Policy at any time, effective immediately upon the posting of the revised policy on our website.