Looks at the scope of the Data Protection Act 1998 and examines the legal risks for the property industry; large property companies are affected because they employ lots of staff and sub contractors, associated businesses such as letting agents and quantity surveyors have to draw up a written agreement of compliance, and housebuilders and residential landlords are vulnerable because they hold personal information about buyers and tenants. The Data Protection Act imposes strict regulations on the storage of data, and supports the key principles of 'transparency' and 'justification'. Explains the liability of companies and outlines action points businesses should take to comply with the act which include an audit of personal data, the appointment of a Data Protection Compliance Officer, ensuring internal security measures are in place, and raising staff awareness. Provides key definitions of terms used in the act.