Cookie Policy

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile phone) when you visit our website. They help us provide you with a better browsing experience and allow us to improve our website.

Types of Cookies

• Session Cookies: Temporary cookies that are deleted when you close your browser
• Persistent Cookies: Cookies that remain on your device for a set period or until manually deleted
• First-Party Cookies: Cookies set by our website directly
• Third-Party Cookies: Cookies set by external services we use (e.g., Google Analytics)

How Cookies Work

When you visit our website, our server sends cookies to your browser, which stores them on your device. On subsequent visits, your browser sends these cookies back to our server, allowing us to recognise you and tailor your experience.

Cookies cannot harm your device or files. They cannot access personal files, run programs, or spread viruses. The information stored in cookies is used solely for the purposes described in this policy.

2. Cookies We Use

We use different types of cookies for various purposes on our Land Registry fee calculator website. Below is a comprehensive list of all cookies we use:

3. Essential Cookies

Essential cookies are necessary for our website to function properly. These cookies enable basic features like page navigation, access to secure areas, and remembering your cookie preferences.

cookieConsent

• Purpose: Remembers your cookie consent preferences
• Duration: 1 year
• Information Stored: Your consent choice (accepted/declined)
• Legal Basis: Legitimate interest for website functionality

Why We Need Essential Cookies:

• To remember your cookie preferences so we don't ask repeatedly
• To ensure the website functions correctly
• To maintain your session while using our calculator
• To provide basic security features

4. Analytics Cookies (Google Analytics)

We use Google Analytics 4 (GA4) with the measurement ID G-FQNFHWCQP1 to understand how visitors interact with our website. This helps us improve our service and user experience.

Google Analytics Cookies

• _ga: Distinguishes unique users (expires after 2 years)
• _ga_G-FQNFHWCQP1: Stores session information (expires after 2 years)
• _gid: Distinguishes users (expires after 24 hours)
• _gat: Throttles request rate (expires after 1 minute)

Information Collected

Google Analytics collects anonymous information about:

• Pages visited and time spent on each page
• How you arrived at our website (search engine, direct link, etc.)
• Your general location (country/city level)
• Device and browser information
• Calculator usage patterns (anonymised)

Data Processing

• Data Processor: Google LLC
• Privacy Policy: Google Privacy Policy
• Data Location: Processed in Google's global infrastructure
• Retention: 26 months (Google Analytics default)

Your Rights

• You can opt-out of Google Analytics using the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on
• You can decline analytics cookies using our cookie banner
• You can manage Google's use of your data at Google My Account

5. Advertising Cookies (Google AdSense)

We use Google AdSense with the publisher ID ca-pub-6193181295195090 to display relevant advertisements that help support our free service.

Google AdSense Cookies

• __gads: Used for advertising personalisation (expires after 2 years)
• __gpi: Publisher identifier for ad serving (expires after 2 years)
• IDE: Used by DoubleClick for ad targeting (expires after 2 years)
• DSID: Links activity across devices for ad personalisation (expires after 2 weeks)

How Advertising Cookies Work

Google AdSense uses cookies to:

• Show you relevant advertisements based on your interests
• Prevent the same ad from being shown too many times
• Measure ad effectiveness and prevent fraud
• Provide advertising reports to us (anonymised)

Ad Personalisation

Google may use information about your visits to this and other websites to show you personalised ads. This includes:

• Previous visits to our website
• Demographic information (age, gender, interests)
• Activity on other websites in Google's advertising network

Managing Ad Cookies

• Control ad personalisation at Google Ad Settings
• Opt out of personalised ads while keeping ads relevant to the page content
• Use our cookie controls to decline advertising cookies entirely
• Visit Your Online Choices for industry-wide opt-out tools

6. Third-Party Cookies

Our website uses services provided by third parties, which may set their own cookies on your device.

Google Services

We use several Google services that may set cookies:

• Google Analytics: Website analytics and performance monitoring
• Google AdSense: Advertising and revenue generation
• Google Fonts (if used): Web font delivery
• Google Tag Manager: Tag and tracking code management

Content Delivery Networks (CDNs)

We may use CDNs to deliver website content faster:

• These services may set cookies for performance optimisation
• No personal data is processed for CDN functionality
• Cookies are typically session-based and automatically deleted

External Links

Our website contains links to external websites including:

• Official HM Land Registry website (gov.uk)
• Legal and regulatory resources
• Professional service providers

These external websites have their own cookie policies, which we encourage you to review.

Third-Party Privacy Policies

• Google: Google Privacy Policy
• Google AdSense: How Google uses information from sites that use our services
• UK Government: GOV.UK Cookie Policy

7. How to Manage Cookies

You have several options for managing cookies on our website and in your browser.

Our Cookie Controls

We provide several ways to control cookies on our website:

• Cookie Banner: Accept or decline cookies when you first visit
• This Page: Use the cookie controls at the top of this page
• Browser Settings: Configure cookies directly in your browser

Browser Cookie Settings

All modern browsers allow you to control cookies:

Google Chrome

1. Click the three dots menu → Settings
2. Privacy and security → Site Settings
3. Cookies and site data
4. Configure your preferences

Mozilla Firefox

1. Click the menu button → Options
2. Privacy & Security
3. Cookies and Site Data
4. Adjust settings as needed

Safari

1. Safari menu → Preferences
2. Privacy tab
3. Configure cookie settings

Microsoft Edge

1. Click three dots menu → Settings
2. Cookies and site permissions
3. Cookies and site data
4. Manage permissions

Mobile Device Settings

You can also manage cookies on mobile devices:

• iPhone/iPad: Settings → Safari → Privacy & Security
• Android: Browser app → Settings → Privacy

Third-Party Opt-Out Tools

• Google Analytics: Analytics Opt-out Add-on
• Google Ads: Ad Settings
• Industry Tools: Your Online Choices
• Network Advertising: NAI Opt-out

8. Cookie Consent

We comply with UK and EU cookie laws by obtaining your consent before using non-essential cookies.

How Consent Works

• First Visit: We show a cookie banner explaining our cookie use
• Your Choice: You can accept all, decline optional, or customise settings
• Stored Preference: We remember your choice for future visits
• Easy Changes: You can change your mind at any time

Types of Consent

• Essential Cookies: No consent required (legitimate interest)
• Analytics Cookies: Consent required for Google Analytics
• Advertising Cookies: Consent required for personalised ads

Withdrawing Consent

You can withdraw your consent at any time by:

• Using the cookie controls on this page
• Clearing your browser cookies
• Contacting us directly
• Adjusting your browser settings

Legal Basis

• Essential Cookies: Legitimate interest (GDPR Article 6(1)(f))
• Analytics Cookies: Consent (GDPR Article 6(1)(a))
• Advertising Cookies: Consent (GDPR Article 6(1)(a))

9. Updates to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or legal requirements.

When We Update

• When we add new cookies or third-party services
• When cookie technologies or purposes change
• When legal requirements change
• When we receive feedback from users

How We Notify You

• Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page
• Post a notice on our website for significant changes
• Update our cookie banner if consent requirements change

Your Continued Use

By continuing to use our website after updates to this policy, you agree to the revised terms. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

10. Contact Information

If you have questions about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy, please contact us:

• Email: privacy@landregistryfeecalculator.uk
• General Enquiries: info@landregistryfeecalculator.uk
• Website: Contact Form

Data Protection Rights

For information about your data protection rights, please see our Privacy Policy.

Regulatory Contact

You can also contact the UK data protection authority:

• Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)
• Website: ico.org.uk
• Phone: 0303 123 1113

Summary

This Cookie Policy explains how Land Registry Fee Calculator UK uses cookies to provide and improve our free service. Key points:

• We use essential cookies for website functionality (always required)
• Analytics cookies help us understand usage and improve our service (optional)
• Advertising cookies support our free service through relevant ads (optional)
• You have full control over optional cookies through our consent system
• We comply with UK and EU cookie laws and data protection regulations
• You can change your cookie preferences at any time

Thank you for using our Land Registry fee calculator. Your privacy and control over your data are important to us.