Privacy Policy
This privacy policy describes how Homestead collects, uses, protects, and shares your personal information when you contact us about home monitoring, pet care, and security coordination services. We are committed to transparency and compliance with German and European data protection law, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Who We Are
Homestead is a home and pet care service provider based in Berlin, Germany. We help property owners experiencing anxiety about leaving homes and pets unattended by offering professional monitoring, care coordination, and security oversight. When you visit our website or contact us about our services, you are providing information to Homestead.
What Data We Collect
We collect personal information in the following ways:
- Contact forms and inquiries: When you submit an inquiry through our website or contact us directly, we collect your name, email address, phone number, postal address, property location, and details about your home care or pet care needs.
- Direct communication: If you call, email, or message us, we collect and retain records of that communication, including the content and metadata (date, time, contact details).
- Service consultation: During initial consultations or site visits, we may collect information about your home layout, security systems, pet medical history, emergency contacts, and access protocols to provide accurate service planning.
- Website analytics: We may use analytics tools to understand how visitors interact with our website, including pages visited, time spent, and referring sources. This data is typically aggregated and does not identify you personally.
- Cookies and similar technologies: Our website may use cookies to remember your preferences, maintain session information, and improve user experience. You can control cookie settings through your browser.
Legal Basis for Processing
Under GDPR, we process your personal data on the following legal bases:
- Contractual necessity: To respond to your service inquiry and prepare service agreements.
- Legitimate interest: To improve our website, communicate about our services, and maintain business records.
- Consent: When you explicitly agree to receive marketing communications or allow us to process sensitive information about your property or pets.
- Legal obligation: To comply with German tax, employment, and liability insurance requirements.
How We Use Your Data
We use the information you provide for the following purposes:
- To respond to your inquiry and provide information about our home monitoring, pet care, and security coordination services.
- To prepare service proposals, quotations, and service agreements tailored to your property and needs.
- To schedule consultations, site visits, and service delivery.
- To manage service delivery, including daily care logs, emergency protocols, and communication with veterinarians or emergency contacts.
- To maintain records of service history, access protocols, and liability documentation.
- To send you updates about your service, changes to our policies, or important security notices (with your consent for marketing).
- To improve our website, services, and customer experience through analytics and feedback.
- To comply with legal obligations, insurance requirements, and dispute resolution.
Sharing Your Data
We do not sell or rent your personal data. However, we may share your information with trusted third parties in the following circumstances:
- Service providers: We may share necessary information with veterinarians, emergency services, locksmiths, or security system providers to deliver your requested services.
- Emergency contacts: In case of emergency, we will contact the individuals you designate (family members, neighbours, emergency services) to ensure your property and pets are safe.
- Legal and insurance: We may share information with our liability insurance provider, legal advisors, or authorities if required by law or to protect our rights.
- Data processors: We use third-party tools for email communication, website hosting, and analytics. These processors are contractually bound to protect your data and use it only for specified purposes.
All third parties are required to maintain the confidentiality and security of your data and to process it only in accordance with our instructions and applicable law.
Data Retention
We retain your personal data only as long as necessary for the purposes outlined in this policy:
- Inquiry data: Retained for up to 2 years after your last contact, unless you request deletion sooner.
- Service records: Retained for the duration of your service agreement plus 7 years for tax and liability purposes, in compliance with German law.
- Website analytics: Aggregated data is retained for up to 12 months; individual tracking data is anonymized after 6 months.
- Marketing communications: Retained until you unsubscribe or request deletion.
After the retention period, we securely delete or anonymize your data. If you request deletion, we will remove your data within 30 days, except where legal obligations require us to retain it.
Your Rights Under GDPR
As a resident of Germany or the European Union, you have the following rights regarding your personal data:
- Right of access: You can request a copy of all personal data we hold about you.
- Right to rectification: You can ask us to correct inaccurate or incomplete information.
- Right to erasure: You can request deletion of your data, subject to legal retention requirements.
- Right to restrict processing: You can ask us to limit how we use your data while we verify its accuracy or legality.
- Right to data portability: You can request your data in a structured, machine-readable format for transfer to another service provider.
- Right to object: You can object to processing based on legitimate interest or direct marketing.
- Right to withdraw consent: If we process your data based on your consent, you can withdraw it at any time.
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details below. We will respond to your request within 30 days in accordance with GDPR requirements.
Security and Data Protection
We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal data against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:
- Encrypted communication channels (HTTPS) for our website.
- Secure storage of service records and access logs.
- Restricted access to personal data within our organization based on role and necessity.
- Regular security assessments and staff training on data protection.
- Incident response procedures to address any data breaches promptly.
However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is completely secure. While we strive to protect your data, we cannot guarantee absolute security. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of any passwords or access credentials you share with us.
Cookies and Tracking Technologies
Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience:
- Essential cookies: Required for website functionality, security, and service delivery.
- Preference cookies: Remember your settings and choices to personalize your visit.
- Analytics cookies: Help us understand how you use our website to improve content and services.
You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect website functionality. We do not use third-party advertising cookies or behavioral tracking without your explicit consent.
Third-Party Links
Our website may contain links to third-party websites, such as veterinary clinics, emergency services, or local authorities. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of external sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.
Children's Privacy
Our services are not directed to individuals under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If we become aware that we have collected data from a minor without parental consent, we will delete it promptly. If you believe we have collected information from a child, please contact us immediately.
International Data Transfers
Homestead operates in Germany and processes data within the European Union. If we transfer data outside the EU/EEA, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, such as Standard Contractual Clauses or your explicit consent, in compliance with GDPR.
Policy Updates
We may update this privacy policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or legal requirements. We will notify you of significant changes by posting the updated policy on our website and updating the effective date. Your continued use of our services after such changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.
Contact Us
If you have questions about this privacy policy, wish to exercise your data protection rights, or need to report a data breach, please contact us:
You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the competent data protection authority in Berlin or your state if you believe your rights have been violated.
Effective date: January 2026