Celebrity Name on Contact List Sent Out By Chiswick Estate Agent

Chestertons apologise after hundreds of names from database forwarded to client

A local celebrity's name was on a list of hundreds of local names sent out by the Chiswick branch of Chestertons to a customer.

Chestertons apologised after a letter sent out by its local branch to a member of the public, included a copy of many of the names on its database.

One local estate agent who said he was "shocked" when he heard of the incident, and said the letter raised concerns about data protection.

The letter was sent to a vendor who had withdrawn their instruction from Chestertons.

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It was warning them of the possibility of being liable for dual agency fees should “one of these applicants have purchased your property or subsequently purchase your property within six months.”

Attached to the letter was a list of names running to over eight pages, together with the dates that each had been sent information about the property. No contact details were included.

The story was published by property industry eye magazine .

Chestertons said it should never have happened, but it was an isolated incident.

The agent marketing the property said he had been shocked to have been shown the letter by the clients.

He said, “Effectively, what they had done was email the property to a large section of their database, that this counted as an introduction, and they wanted a fee if one of those named went on to buy the property.

“I was shocked when I saw the letter coming from such a reputable agent.”

He said the letter also raised concerns about data protection.

However, Robert Sturges, Chestertons’ area director, said,“This was an isolated incident and the result of human error.

“We are very sorry and hope to have the opportunity to apologise to our former clients.”

March 4, 2018