A report from the active information and privacy commissioner says B.C. landlords collect too much personal information on application forms. Photo courtesy CBC.
The acting information and privacy commissioner has concluded B.C. landlords generally collect too much personal information on application forms from prospective tenants.
Drew McArthur came up with a list of recommendations after examining personal information collected by 13 landlords from applicants.
“Rentals make up 30 per cent of housing in B.C. Near-zero vacancy rates throughout the province have created a competitive market where landlords can ask prospective tenants for sensitive personal information as justification for seeking the ‘best’ tenant,” McArthur said in a statement.
“Unfortunately, many applicants feel they have no choice but to provide this information to avoid missing out on a place to live.”
The report details when personal information is always, sometimes or never authorized by the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA), which regulates how organizations collect, use and disclose personal information.
Landlords and not-for-profit organizations in B.C. are subject to the PIPA.
Recommendations include landlords limiting the amount of required personal information from possible tenants, clearly state the reasons for collecting personal information from would-be applicants and never collect information from social media platforms or internet search engines.
Andy Neal
