Appraisal Associates, a division of Appraisal Associates Consulting Inc., has established a policy to protect the privacy rights of our clients, employees, and others. Our policy relates to the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information by the firm, its officers, directors, and employees. The policy adheres to the principles of privacy based on the Canadian Standards Association's Privacy Principles and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents (PIPED) Act.

When we are contacted through this website or through other means, personal property and associated information provided to us is used only to aid in developing requested proposals for engagement of our services, and if engaged, to allow us to complete requested appraisal, appraisal review or consulting projects. We assume that consent to use this personal property and associated information in these ways is given when the information is provided to us. If new uses for the provided information are identified, we contact the client to obtain permission for its new use.

At times, it is necessary during the course of our research to discuss, with third parties, details related to specific items of personal property. This is done on a confidential basis, and the identity of the client is not revealed to any third parties without permission. 

We protect all personal information held by our firm, and no information is transferred to a third party for processing. Information is stored electronically and in hard copy form on Appraisal Associates’ premises. Personal information is safeguarded from unauthorized access, disclosure, copying, use or modification by physical measures (locked filing cabinets, restricting access to offices, key access to offices, active security system); by technological tools (passwords, encryption, firewalls); and by organizational controls (limiting access on a "need-to-know" basis, staff training.)

In compliance with our professional standards, workfiles may be disposed of five years after preparation or at least two years after the conclusion of any judicial proceeding in which Appraisal Associates’ personnel provided testimony related to the project, whichever period expires last. Appraisal Associates disposes of expired workfiles either through in-house shredding or through transfer to a secure document disposal service.

We keep personal information as accurate, complete and up-to-date as necessary, taking into account its use and the interests of the individual. From time to time, we may request an update of the information from its source.

Our privacy officer is Stephen P. Sweeting, MRICS, a principal of the firm. He may be reached through our contact page or by telephone at 416 368 4334. His office mailing address is as follows: Appraisal Associates, 193 Church Street, Toronto, Ont., Canada, M5B 1Y7. All inquiries, access requests or complaints should be addressed to him and made in writing. We note any disagreement on file and advise third parties where appropriate. Matters will be handled within 30 days as outlined in the PIPED Act.