Data watchdog to investigate Savills over requests for financial data to view houses

The Data Protection Commission has ‘concerns’ about the estate agent’s collection of prospective buyers’ personal information to secure viewings

Savills said it received 5,000 requests from buyers interested in the houses in the Somerton development in Lucan, Co Dublin

Savills, the estate agent, is being investigated by the Data Protection Commission (DPC) over detailed financial data it requested and collected from prospective home buyers.

As part of the process to secure a house viewing at the new Somerton project in Lucan, Co Dublin, prospective buyers were required to provide Savills with detailed financial information and proof of funds and to disclose gifts from family members before they could view the properties.

The practice was ...