Jou Homes Development Inc., operating under the brand name Jou Living (referred to as "Jou Living", "we", "us", or "our"), is a residential development and property technology company headquartered at 302-3100 Steeles Ave E, Markham, Ontario L3R 8T3, Canada. This Privacy Policy governs all personal information collected, used, disclosed, and processed by Jou Living through our website https://www.jouliving.autos, any associated mobile applications, online portals, email communications, offline interactions such as site visits or sales consultations, and any other services we provide (collectively, the "Services").
We are deeply committed to protecting the privacy and security of every individual who interacts with Jou Living. This policy explains in granular detail what categories of personal data we collect, the specific methods and technologies we use to collect that data, the lawful bases we rely on under applicable privacy laws (including the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) of Canada, the Quebec Law 25, and where relevant the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) of the European Union and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)), how we share and transfer data internationally, how long we retain different types of information, and the comprehensive rights you hold regarding your own data.
This policy applies to all visitors of our website, prospective and current homebuyers, renters, commercial tenants, vendors, contractors, job applicants, and any other individuals who interact with Jou Living. It covers data collected both online and offline, including through our sales centres, model homes, construction site registrations, customer service calls, and marketing events. By using any of our Services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy and agree to the collection and use of your information as described herein.
Jou Living is the data controller for the personal information we collect. If you have any questions or concerns about this policy or our data practices, please contact our Privacy Officer using the details provided in Section 15 (Contact Us). We review and update this policy at least annually, and whenever we introduce new data processing activities or technologies, to ensure it remains accurate and compliant with evolving legal standards.
We collect and process a wide range of personal information to provide you with exceptional living experiences, manage our developments, communicate effectively, and comply with legal obligations. The specific types of data we collect depend on the nature of your interaction with Jou Living. Below we describe each category in exhaustive detail, with concrete examples.
This includes any information that can be used to identify you or contact you directly. We collect full legal name, including first, middle, and last names; current and previous residential addresses; email addresses (personal and work); telephone numbers (mobile, home, and business); and government-issued identification numbers such as driver's license numbers, passport numbers, or provincial health card numbers (only when required for mortgage financing or legal title transfers). For example, when you register for a new home consultation, we ask for your full name, email, and phone number. When you submit an offer to purchase, we collect your driver's license to verify your identity as required by the Real Estate and Business Brokers Act of Ontario.
We collect detailed financial information necessary to process deposits, down payments, monthly mortgage payments, rent payments, and any other fees. This includes bank account numbers and transit numbers, credit card details (processed through PCI-DSS compliant gateways), pre-approval letters from lenders, mortgage statements, income verification documents (pay stubs, tax returns, Notice of Assessments), credit reports from Equifax or TransUnion (with your written consent), and records of all transactions you conduct with us. For instance, when you reserve a condominium unit, we collect a deposit via wire transfer and record the transaction details, including the amount, date, and method of payment. We also maintain records of any outstanding balances, late payment fees, and refunds.
To tailor our offerings to your needs, we collect information about your housing preferences, including desired unit size, number of bedrooms, floor level, view orientation, preferred move-in date, budget range, and any accessibility requirements. We also record details about properties you have viewed, saved, or inquired about, including specific unit numbers, model names, and price lists. For example, if you use our website to compare two floor plans, we log that interaction to understand your preferences and follow up with relevant information. If you attend an open house, we may note which features you expressed interest in, such as stainless steel appliances or a balcony.
We retain records of all communications between you and Jou Living, whether through email, phone calls, text messages, live chat, social media messaging, or postal mail. This includes the date and time of communication, the content of the messages, any attachments, and our responses. For quality assurance and training purposes, we may record phone calls with our sales representatives or customer service team. For example, if you email office@jouliving.autos to ask about parking availability, we store that email and our reply in your customer relationship management (CRM) profile. If you send us a direct message on Instagram, we keep a copy of that conversation.
When you visit our website or use any digital service, we automatically collect certain technical information via cookies, server logs, and similar tracking technologies. This includes your IP address, browser type and version, operating system, device type (e.g., mobile, desktop, tablet), screen resolution, referring URL, pages visited, time spent on each page, clickstream data, and any errors encountered. For example, we use Google Analytics to understand which floor plan pages are most popular, and we use Hotjar to record anonymized session replays to improve user experience. We also collect data from third-party advertising platforms, such as Facebook Pixel, to measure the effectiveness of our ad campaigns and deliver relevant ads.
In limited circumstances and only with your explicit consent, we may collect sensitive personal information such as health data related to accessibility accommodations (e.g., wheelchair access requirements, visual or hearing impairments) or racial or ethnic origin for diversity monitoring purposes (where required by law or funding agreements). We never collect biometric data, genetic data, or information about criminal convictions unless explicitly required by law (e.g., background checks for property management staff). Any sensitive data is stored with enhanced encryption and access controls, and is retained only as long as necessary for the specific purpose for which it was provided.
Jou Living employs multiple collection methods to obtain personal information, ensuring we can serve you effectively while maintaining transparency. We collect data through direct interactions, automated technologies, and third-party sources. Each method is described below with specific examples.
You provide us with personal information when you fill out forms on our website, such as the "Register Your Interest" form, the "Book a Tour" form, or the "Contact Us" form. You also provide data when you speak with our sales team in person at our presentation centre, over the phone, or via video call. For example, when you submit an offer to purchase a home, you provide your full name, address, employment details, and financial information. When you sign a lease agreement, you provide your date of birth, emergency contact information, and previous rental history. We also collect information when you participate in surveys, contests, or promotional events; when you subscribe to our newsletter; and when you apply for a job through our careers page.
Our website uses cookies, web beacons, pixel tags, and similar tracking technologies to collect technical and usage data automatically. We use both session cookies (which expire when you close your browser) and persistent cookies (which remain on your device for a set period or until you delete them). For example, we set a cookie to remember your language preference (English or French) so you don't have to select it each time you visit. We also use Google Analytics cookies to track aggregate usage statistics, and Facebook Pixel to build audiences for retargeting ads. You can manage your cookie preferences through our cookie consent banner, which appears on your first visit and allows you to accept or reject non-essential cookies. We also collect server logs that record your IP address, browser type, and the pages you request, which we use for security monitoring and troubleshooting.
We may receive personal information about you from third-party sources, including real estate brokerages, mortgage brokers, credit bureaus, title insurance companies, municipal property databases, and social media platforms (when you interact with our ads or pages). For example, if you are referred to us by a real estate agent, we receive your name and contact details from that agent with your consent. We also obtain credit reports from Equifax or TransUnion when you apply for financing through our preferred lenders. We may collect publicly available information from land registry offices, property assessment rolls, and corporate registries to verify ownership or business credentials. Additionally, we use data enrichment services to update or supplement your contact information, such as correcting an outdated email address using a third-party verification tool.
We collect personal information through paper forms, business cards, sign-in sheets at our sales centres and model homes, and face-to-face conversations. For example, when you visit our presentation centre, you may be asked to sign a visitor log that includes your name, phone number, and email address. We also collect information from business cards you hand to our sales representatives. Paper-based consent forms for marketing communications are scanned and stored securely in our CRM system, and the original paper documents are shredded after digitization.
To provide absolute clarity, we expand on each type of information we collect, including specific data points and real-world scenarios. This section serves as a comprehensive reference for individuals who want to understand exactly what data Jou Living holds about them.
Personal identifiers include any data that can be used to distinguish or trace an individual's identity. We collect full name (including middle initial and suffix such as Jr. or III), date of birth, gender (optional), Social Insurance Number (SIN) only when required for tax reporting purposes (e.g., for interest earned on deposits), and signature. For example, when you sign a purchase agreement, we collect your signature and date of birth to execute the contract. When you set up a utility account with us, we may collect your SIN for credit check purposes, but only with your explicit written consent.
We collect multiple forms of contact information to ensure we can reach you efficiently. This includes primary email address, secondary email address, mobile phone number, home phone number, work phone number, and current mailing address. For example, we use your email to send you monthly construction updates if you are a pre-construction buyer. We use your mobile number to send SMS reminders for scheduled site visits or payment deadlines. We also collect emergency contact details, including the name, relationship, and phone number of a person we can contact in case of an emergency at one of our properties.
Financial information is collected to process transactions, verify creditworthiness, and comply with anti-money laundering regulations. This includes bank account details (institution number, transit number, account number), credit card numbers (processed through a PCI-compliant gateway and never stored by us), mortgage pre-approval letters, income verification documents (T4 slips, Notice of Assessments, pay stubs), asset statements (RRSP, TFSA, savings accounts), and credit reports. For example, when you make a deposit on a new home, we collect your bank account information to process a wire transfer. When you apply for a mortgage through our recommended lender, we share your income documents with the lender after obtaining your consent.
We maintain a detailed record of your property-related interactions, including properties you have viewed (date, time, location, unit number), offers you have made (offer amount, conditions, deposit amount), purchase agreements, lease agreements, amendments, and any correspondence related to those transactions. For example, if you viewed three different floor plans at our Markham development, we log each viewing and any feedback you provided. If you later purchase a unit, we retain the full transaction history, including the final purchase price, closing date, and legal description of the property.
We record your preferences regarding marketing communications, including whether you have opted in or out of receiving promotional emails, SMS messages, phone calls, or postal mail. We also track your engagement with our communications, such as whether you opened an email, clicked a link, or unsubscribed. For example, if you click on a link in our newsletter about a new development in Toronto, we record that interest and may send you more targeted information about that project. You can change your preferences at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in any email or by contacting us directly.
We collect information about the device and browser you use to access our website, including device type (iPhone, Android, Windows PC, Mac), operating system version, browser type and version (Chrome 120, Safari 17, etc.), screen resolution, language settings, time zone, and plug-in details. For example, if you access our site from an iPhone running iOS 17, we may optimize the layout for mobile viewing. We also collect your IP address, which we use to approximate your geographic location (city level) for analytics and fraud prevention purposes.
Jou Living uses your personal information for specific, legitimate purposes that are directly related to our business operations and your interactions with us. We never use your data in ways that are incompatible with the purposes described in this policy. Below we detail each purpose with concrete examples and the legal basis we rely on.
We use your information to process your inquiries, registrations, reservations, purchases, and leases. This includes creating and maintaining your customer profile, managing your account, processing payments, coordinating site visits and tours, preparing legal documents (purchase agreements, leases, addenda), and facilitating the closing process. For example, when you reserve a condominium unit, we use your contact information to send you the reservation agreement and deposit instructions. We also use your preference data to recommend available units that match your criteria, such as a two-bedroom unit on a high floor with a south-facing view.
We use your contact information to send you important updates about your transaction, including construction milestones, occupancy dates, payment reminders, and maintenance notices. We also send you marketing communications if you have opted in, such as newsletters, invitations to events, and information about new developments. For example, we send a monthly email to all pre-construction buyers with photos and updates on the construction progress. We also use your phone number to call you if there is an urgent issue with your property, such as a water leak or power outage.
We analyze usage data, feedback, and preferences to improve our website, sales processes, and property designs. For example, we use heatmaps to see which parts of our website visitors click on most, and we use that information to redesign the layout for better user experience. We also conduct surveys to gather feedback on your home buying experience, and we use that feedback to train our sales team and refine our processes.
We use your personal information to comply with applicable laws, regulations, court orders, and government requests. This includes anti-money laundering (AML) checks, tax reporting (issuing T5 slips for interest paid on deposits), real estate regulatory requirements (e.g., Tarion Warranty Corporation reporting), and health and safety regulations (e.g., maintaining visitor logs for fire safety). For example, we are required by the Canada Revenue Agency to collect and report your Social Insurance Number if you earn interest on a deposit with us. We also retain records of all transactions for audit purposes as required by the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO).
We may use your information to detect, prevent, and respond to fraud, unauthorized access, or other illegal activities. For example, we monitor IP addresses for suspicious activity, such as multiple failed login attempts, and we may block access to our website if we detect a potential security threat. We also use your information to enforce our Terms of Service, including collection of outstanding debts or eviction proceedings if necessary.
Jou Living processes your personal information only when we have a valid legal basis to do so. Under PIPEDA and similar privacy laws, the primary bases are consent, contractual necessity, legal obligation, and legitimate interests. For individuals located in the European Economic Area (EEA) or the United Kingdom, we also rely on the GDPR bases, which we describe below. We identify the specific basis for each processing activity.
We rely on your consent for most marketing communications, the collection of sensitive information, and the use of non-essential cookies. Consent is obtained through clear, affirmative actions, such as checking a box, clicking a button, or signing a consent form. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time without affecting the lawfulness of processing based on consent before its withdrawal. For example, you can unsubscribe from our marketing emails at any time by clicking the link at the bottom of any email. If you withdraw consent, we will stop sending you marketing communications, but we may still contact you for transactional purposes (e.g., payment reminders).
We process your personal information when it is necessary to perform a contract with you or to take steps at your request before entering into a contract. This includes processing your data to prepare a purchase agreement, process a deposit, arrange a mortgage, or provide customer support. For example, we need your name, address, and financial information to draft a purchase agreement and register the property title. Without this information, we cannot fulfill our contractual obligations to you.
We process your personal information when we are required to do so by applicable law, regulation, or court order. This includes tax reporting, anti-money laundering checks, building code compliance, and responses to lawful requests from government authorities. For example, we are legally required to retain records of all real estate transactions for at least seven years under Ontario's Real Estate and Business Brokers Act. We also must report certain financial transactions to the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC).
We may process your personal information for our legitimate interests, provided that such processing does not override your rights and freedoms. Our legitimate interests include improving our services, preventing fraud, ensuring network and information security, and conducting business analytics. For example, we analyze website usage data to improve user experience, which is a legitimate interest for any online business. We also use IP addresses to protect our website from cyberattacks. We always balance our interests against your privacy rights and provide you with the right to object to such processing.
Jou Living does not sell your personal information to third parties. However, we may share your data with trusted service providers, business partners, and legal authorities under specific circumstances. We require all third parties to respect the confidentiality and security of your personal information and to process it only for the purposes we have specified. Below we list the categories of recipients with whom we may share your data.
We engage third-party companies to perform services on our behalf, such as payment processing, email delivery, website hosting, data analytics, customer relationship management (CRM), marketing automation, and legal services. For example, we use Stripe and Moneris to process credit card payments; we use Mailchimp to send our newsletters; we use Salesforce to manage our customer relationships; and we use Google Cloud to host our website. These service providers have access to your personal information only to the extent necessary to perform their functions and are contractually bound to protect your data and not use it for any other purpose.
We share your information with real estate brokerages, lawyers, notaries, title insurance companies, and land registry offices to facilitate the purchase, sale, or lease of properties. For example, when you purchase a home, we share your name and contact information with your lawyer and our lawyer to prepare the closing documents. We also share your information with the Tarion Warranty Corporation to register your warranty. If you use a real estate agent, we share relevant transaction details with that agent with your consent.
We share your financial information with banks, mortgage lenders, and credit unions to process payments, verify financing, and arrange mortgages. For example, if you obtain a mortgage through our preferred lender, we share your purchase agreement and deposit information with that lender. We also share your bank account details with our payment processor to process automatic withdrawals for monthly maintenance fees.
We may disclose your personal information to government agencies, regulators, or law enforcement when required by law or to protect our legal rights. This includes the Canada Revenue Agency, the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC), the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO), municipal property tax authorities, and police forces. For example, we are required to report suspicious transactions to FINTRAC under the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act. We also disclose information in response to a valid court order or subpoena.
In the event of a merger, acquisition, sale of assets, or bankruptcy, your personal information may be transferred to the acquiring entity as part of the transaction. We will notify you of any such change in ownership or control and provide you with choices regarding your data. For example, if Jou Living is acquired by another development company, your customer profile and transaction history would be transferred to the new owner to ensure continuity of service.
Jou Living is based in Canada, and your personal information is primarily stored on servers located in Canada. However, we may transfer your data to service providers and partners located in other countries, including the United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom, for the purposes described in this policy. When we transfer your data across borders, we ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information in accordance with applicable privacy laws.
We use cloud-based service providers that may store or process data in the United States (e.g., Google Cloud, Salesforce, Mailchimp), Ireland (e.g., certain Google Cloud regions), and other jurisdictions. For example, our email marketing platform Mailchimp is based in the United States and processes data in compliance with the EU-US Data Privacy Framework. We also use analytics tools like Google Analytics, which may transfer data to servers in the United States.
For transfers of personal information from Canada to other countries, we rely on contractual clauses, standard data protection clauses (where applicable), and the service provider's compliance with recognized privacy frameworks. For transfers involving the EEA or UK, we use Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) approved by the European Commission, or we rely on the service provider's certification under the EU-US Data Privacy Framework. We also conduct due diligence on all third-party processors to ensure they maintain adequate security measures.
You have the right to request information about the safeguards we have in place for international data transfers. If you are located in the EEA, you may also exercise your rights under GDPR regarding such transfers. To obtain a copy of the relevant safeguards, please contact our Privacy Officer using the details in Section 15. We will provide you with a summary of the measures in place, subject to confidentiality obligations.
Jou Living retains your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, or as required by applicable law. We have established specific retention periods for different categories of data, which are reviewed regularly to ensure compliance and minimize data storage. Below we outline the retention periods for each major category.
When personal information is no longer required, we securely destroy or anonymize it to prevent unauthorized access or use. Paper documents are shredded using a cross-cut shredder, and electronic data is permanently deleted using secure deletion methods that overwrite the data multiple times. We also require our service providers to certify that they have securely deleted any data we have shared with them when it is no longer needed.
Jou Living takes the security of your personal information seriously and implements a comprehensive set of technical, organizational, and physical security measures to protect your data from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. Our security program is based on industry best practices and complies with applicable legal requirements. Below we describe the key measures we have in place.
We use encryption technologies to protect data in transit and at rest. All data transmitted between your browser and our website is encrypted using TLS 1.3 (Transport Layer Security) with strong cipher suites. Data stored on our servers is encrypted using AES-256 encryption. We also use firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS), and regular vulnerability scanning to identify and mitigate potential threats. Access to our systems is protected by multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all employees and contractors.
We have implemented strict access controls based on the principle of least privilege, meaning that employees and contractors have access only to the personal information necessary to perform their job functions. All personnel are required to complete annual privacy and security training, which covers topics such as phishing awareness, password hygiene, and data handling procedures. We also conduct regular audits and penetration tests to evaluate the effectiveness of our security controls.
Our offices and data centers are protected by physical access controls, including keycard entry, biometric scanners, and 24/7 video surveillance. Paper records containing personal information are stored in locked filing cabinets in access-controlled areas. Visitors to our offices are required to sign in and be escorted by a staff member at all times.
We have a comprehensive incident response plan in place to address any data breaches or security incidents. In the event of a breach that poses a risk to your rights and freedoms, we will notify you and the relevant privacy authorities (e.g., the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada) as required by law. Our incident response team is trained to contain, investigate, and remediate incidents promptly.
Depending on your jurisdiction, you have various rights regarding your personal information. Jou Living is committed to enabling you to exercise these rights easily and without undue delay. We respond to all legitimate requests within the timeframes required by law (generally 30 days, extendable in certain circumstances). Below we describe your rights and how to exercise them.
You have the right to request a copy of the personal information we hold about you, including information about how we use it, who we share it with, and how long we keep it. We will provide this information in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format (e.g., CSV or JSON) if you request it. To exercise this right, please submit a written request to our Privacy Officer using the contact details in Section 15. We may ask you to verify your identity before processing your request.
You have the right to request that we correct any inaccurate or incomplete personal information we hold about you. For example, if your email address changes, you can ask us to update it. We will make the correction promptly and notify any third parties with whom we have shared your data, unless this is impossible or involves disproportionate effort.
In certain circumstances, you have the right to request that we delete your personal information. This right applies when the data is no longer necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, when you withdraw consent and there is no other legal basis for processing, when you object to processing and there are no overriding legitimate grounds, or when the data has been unlawfully processed. However, we may retain your data if we are required to do so by law (e.g., tax records) or to establish, exercise, or defend legal claims.
You have the right to request that we restrict the processing of your personal information in certain situations, such as when you contest the accuracy of the data (for a period enabling us to verify accuracy) or when you have objected to processing (pending the outcome of our legitimate interests assessment). When processing is restricted, we may still store your data but will not use it further without your consent or for legal claims.
You have the right to receive your personal information in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format and to transmit that data to another controller without hindrance, where the processing is based on consent or contract and is carried out by automated means. We will provide the data directly to you or, where technically feasible, directly to the third party you designate.
You have the right to object to the processing of your personal information based on our legitimate interests, including profiling for direct marketing purposes. We will stop processing your data unless we can demonstrate compelling legitimate grounds that override your interests, rights, and freedoms, or for the establishment, exercise, or defense of legal claims. You also have the right to object to receiving marketing communications at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in any email or by contacting us.
Where processing is based on your consent, you have the right to withdraw that consent at any time. Withdrawal of consent does not affect the lawfulness of processing based on consent before its withdrawal. You can withdraw consent by contacting us or by using the opt-out mechanisms provided in our communications (e.g., unsubscribe link).
To exercise any of the rights described above, please contact our Privacy Officer at office@jouliving.autos or by mail at 302-3100 Steeles Ave E, Markham, ON L3R 8T3, Canada. We will respond to your request within 30 days, unless the request is complex or you have made multiple requests, in which case we may extend the period by up to 60 days and will inform you of the extension. We do not charge a fee for exercising your rights unless the request is manifestly unfounded or excessive. We may ask you to provide proof of identity before processing your request.
Jou Living's Services are not directed to individuals under the age of 18 (or the age of majority in your province or territory). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child without verifiable parental consent, we will take steps to delete that information as soon as possible. If you believe that a child may have provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately at office@jouliving.autos.
In the context of family visits to our sales centres or model homes, we may collect minimal information about children (such as name and age) for safety or marketing purposes (e.g., to send a birthday card), but only with the explicit consent of a parent or guardian. We never use children's data for profiling or behavioral advertising. Any data collected from children is retained only as long as necessary for the specific purpose and is deleted promptly thereafter.
Our website and communications may contain links to third-party websites, plugins, or applications that are not operated by Jou Living. For example, we may link to Google Maps for directions to our sales centre, to YouTube for virtual tours, or to social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. This Privacy Policy does not apply to those third-party services, and we are not responsible for their privacy practices. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party services you interact with.
We also use third-party APIs and integrations to enhance your experience, such as mortgage calculators, credit check services, and document signing platforms (e.g., DocuSign). When you use these services, your data is subject to the privacy policies of those providers. We select our third-party partners carefully and require them to comply with applicable privacy laws, but we cannot guarantee their practices. For example, if you use our mortgage calculator, the data you enter may be processed by a third-party provider, and we recommend you review their privacy policy before using the tool.
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or operational needs. When we make material changes, we will notify you by posting the updated policy on our website with a revised "Last revised" date, and we may also send you an email notification if we have your contact information. We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we are protecting your information.
If we make any changes that significantly affect your rights or how we use your data, we will obtain your consent where required by law. For example, if we begin using your data for a new purpose that is not compatible with the purposes described in this policy, we will seek your opt-in consent before doing so. Your continued use of our Services after the effective date of any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact our Privacy Officer (Data Protection Officer) using the following details. We are committed to resolving any issues promptly and transparently.
We will acknowledge receipt of your privacy-related request within 5 business days and will respond substantively within 30 days. If you are not satisfied with our response, you have the right to file a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) or the privacy regulator in your province (e.g., the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario). We will provide you with the contact information for the relevant authority upon request.