This privacy policy explains how Help to Buy Calculator ("we", "us", or "our") collects, uses, and protects information when you visit helptobuycalculator.co.uk (the "site"). We are committed to handling your data responsibly and in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
Who We Are
Help to Buy Calculator is an independent, free-to-use information website providing a Help to Buy equity loan calculator and educational guides about the UK home buying process. We are not a lender, broker, or financial adviser, and we are not affiliated with the UK Government or any financial institution.
Information We Collect
We do not ask you to create an account, and we do not knowingly collect personal information that directly identifies you unless you choose to send it to us (for example, by using our contact form). The information we process falls into the following categories:
- Usage and analytics data — such as pages visited, time on site, approximate location (country/region), device type, and referring website. This is collected in aggregate to help us understand how the site is used.
- Calculator inputs — the figures you enter into the calculator (such as your loan amount) are processed entirely within your browser to display your results. They are not transmitted to or stored on our servers.
- Information you provide — if you contact us via the contact form, we receive the details you submit (such as your name, email address, and message) so we can respond.
Cookies and Similar Technologies
Cookies are small text files stored on your device. We and our third-party partners use cookies and similar technologies to operate the site, measure traffic, and serve advertising. You can control or delete cookies through your browser settings; doing so may affect how the site functions.
Advertising — Google AdSense and Third-Party Vendors
We use Google AdSense to display advertising on this site. Third-party vendors, including Google, use cookies to serve ads based on your prior visits to this and other websites.
- Google's use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads to you based on your visit to this site and/or other sites on the internet.
- You may opt out of personalised advertising by visiting Google Ads Settings.
- You can opt out of some third-party vendors' use of cookies for personalised advertising at aboutads.info/choices or youronlinechoices.com (for the UK/EU).
- For more information on how Google uses data, see How Google uses information from sites that use its services.
Analytics
We use Google Analytics and Vercel Web Analytics to understand how visitors use the site. These services collect aggregated, largely anonymised usage data. You can learn more from the Google Privacy Policy, and you may opt out of Google Analytics using the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.
Affiliate Links
Some links on this site are affiliate links. If you click one and go on to use a product or service, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Clicking an affiliate link may set a cookie from the relevant partner network so that any resulting transaction can be attributed. See our Terms & Disclaimer for more.
Legal Basis for Processing
Where we process personal data, we rely on: your consent (for non-essential cookies and advertising); our legitimate interests (to operate, secure, and improve the site); and, where you contact us, the need to respond to your request.
Your Rights
Under UK GDPR you have the right to access, correct, or erase your personal data, to restrict or object to its processing, and to data portability. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the UK's supervisory authority, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). To exercise any of these rights, please use our contact form.
Data Retention
Aggregated analytics data is retained in line with the providers' standard retention periods. Messages you send via the contact form are kept only for as long as needed to handle your enquiry.
Third-Party Links
This site contains links to external websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those sites, and we encourage you to read their privacy policies.
Children's Privacy
This site is intended for adults and is not directed at children under 16. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this privacy policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with a revised "last updated" date.
Contact
If you have any questions about this privacy policy or how we handle your data, please get in touch via our contact page.