Privacy policy

What we collect

Research choices, shortlist data, and technical service data

Depending on how you use the site, we may process search inputs, selected areas or postcodes, shortlist identifiers and shortlist entries, contact form content when available, basic technical logs, security events, and analytics data if optional analytics are enabled with valid consent.

Why we use it

Provide reports, remember choices, and keep the service secure

We use data to show reports, remember relevant preferences, manage shortlist features, improve the service, respond to requests, investigate faults, and protect the site from misuse.

Lawful basis

How we use lawful bases

The service relies on legitimate interests for core operation, consent where non-essential cookies or analytics are used, contract where user-requested services require it, and legal obligations where applicable.

Cookies and browser storage

We store only the context needed to run the service

BeforeYouMove uses cookies for cookie consent, shortlist continuity, and remembered location where you allow preference cookies. If you allow analytics, Umami records page visits and performance measurements without URL query strings or fragments. Non-essential cookies or similar technologies must not be used without valid consent.

• bym_cookie_consent: stores your analytics and preference-cookie choice.
• bym_shortlist_id: stores a random identifier only so shortlist items stay on the server.
• bym_last_location: stores the last selected area or postcode only if you allow preference cookies.

Remembered location

Area and postcode search journeys stay separate

We remember the last area or postcode you checked only if you allow preference cookies, and area and postcode search journeys stay separate. The saved value is reused only where it still fits the page you are on, and you can replace it any time by checking a different location.

Shortlist data

Your shortlist uses an opaque browser identifier, not a public profile

The shortlist feature uses the bym_shortlist_id cookie to reconnect your browser with shortlist data stored by BeforeYouMove. The cookie stores a random identifier only so you can keep comparing places between visits.

Contact messages

When you write to us, we keep your message so we can answer it

The contact form sends us your name, your email address, the topic, the subject and your message, with the page you sent it from and when. We also keep a scrambled form of your network address, never the address itself, only to stop the form being flooded. Our staff read your message to answer it. We reply by email from a no-reply address at this site's own domain, sent through Mailjet, an email delivery service; replies to that address are not read, so to write again use the contact form and quote your reference.

Sharing

Service providers may process data for hosting, security, and analytics

We may share limited data with hosting, monitoring, analytics, and infrastructure providers where that is necessary to run the service. When we reply to a contact message, Mailjet handles your email address, our reply, and your original message only if we quote it. Public datasets shown in the product may also come from external public-data suppliers and authorities.

Retention

How long we keep data

Cookie settings, shortlist cookies, and remembered-location cookies are stored for up to 3 months. Server logs, shortlist records, and analytics records are retained only for as long as they are needed for operations, security, support, or legal obligations. A contact message is kept until it is answered and closed, then for 24 months after closing so we can see what was said if you write again; a message marked as spam is deleted 30 days after.

Your rights

You can ask about access, correction, deletion, and objections

Where applicable, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, restrict, object to, or move personal data, and to withdraw consent where consent is the basis for processing. You may also raise concerns with the relevant supervisory authority.

Security

We use reasonable technical and organisational controls

We work to protect the service with proportionate security controls, but no internet service can promise absolute security, so you should avoid submitting sensitive information unless the service clearly asks for it.

Managing browser storage

How to remove remembered data

You can change cookie settings at any time from the cookie settings page or by clearing BeforeYouMove site storage in your browser settings. Doing that resets your saved consent choice, shortlist identifier, and any remembered last location for this browser.

• Cookie settings: visit Cookie settings to change optional analytics and preference cookies.
• Remembered location: clear site cookies for BeforeYouMove or switch preference cookies off.
• Shortlist data: clearing site cookies removes the shortlist identifier and breaks the browser's link to stored shortlist data.