Cookie Policy
Last updated: August 2025
This cookie policy explains how Home ME Mortgages uses cookies and similar technologies on our website.
1. What are cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer or mobile device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and to provide information to website owners about how their site is being used.
Cookies can be "session" cookies (which are deleted when you close your browser) or "persistent" cookies (which remain on your device for a set period or until you delete them). They can also be "first-party" cookies (set by the website you're visiting) or "third-party" cookies (set by a different website).
2. How we use cookies
We use cookies to:
- Ensure our website functions properly and securely
- Remember your preferences and settings
- Understand how you use our website to improve our services
- Provide relevant content and advertising (with your consent)
- Comply with legal and regulatory requirements
3. Types of cookies we use
Essential Cookies (Always Active)
These cookies are necessary for our website to function and cannot be switched off. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| cookie-consent | Stores your cookie preferences | 1 year |
| session_id | Maintains your session for security | Session |
| csrf_token | Protects against security threats | Session |
| form_data | Temporarily stores form information | Session |
Analytics Cookies (Optional)
These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting and reporting information anonymously. This helps us improve our website and services.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration | Provider |
|---|---|---|---|
| _ga | Distinguishes unique users | 2 years | Google Analytics |
| _gid | Distinguishes unique users | 24 hours | Google Analytics |
| _gat | Throttles request rate | 1 minute | Google Analytics |
| _hjid | User session tracking | 1 year | Hotjar |
Marketing Cookies (Optional)
These cookies are used to make advertising messages more relevant to you. They perform functions like preventing the same ad from continuously reappearing and measuring the effectiveness of advertising campaigns.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration | Provider |
|---|---|---|---|
| _fbp | Facebook advertising tracking | 3 months | |
| IDE | Google advertising | 1 year | |
| YSC | YouTube video tracking | Session | YouTube |
4. Your choices and rights
You have several options for managing cookies:
Cookie Settings
You can manage your cookie preferences at any time by clicking the button below:
Browser Settings
You can also control cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to:
- View what cookies are stored on your device
- Delete individual cookies or all cookies
- Block cookies from specific websites
- Block all third-party cookies
- Delete all cookies when you close the browser
Please note that blocking or deleting cookies may affect your experience on our website and some features may not work properly.
5. Third-party cookies
Some cookies on our website are set by third-party services. We have no control over these cookies and they are governed by the privacy policies of the third parties. These may include:
- Google Analytics: For website analytics and performance monitoring
- Google Maps: For displaying interactive maps
- YouTube: For embedded video content
- Social Media: For social media integration and sharing
You can opt out of these third-party cookies through their respective privacy settings or by using our cookie settings panel.
6. Legal basis for using cookies
Under UK law (Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations - PECR), we must:
- Tell you about cookies and explain what they do
- Get your consent before setting non-essential cookies
- Allow you to withdraw consent easily
Essential cookies are exempt from consent requirements as they are necessary for the website to function. All other cookies require your explicit consent.
7. Data retention
We retain cookie data for different periods depending on the type and purpose:
- Session cookies: Deleted when you close your browser
- Essential cookies: Up to 1 year
- Analytics cookies: Up to 2 years
- Marketing cookies: Up to 1 year
8. Changes to this policy
We may update this cookie policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or applicable laws. When we make changes, we will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this policy and notify you through our website.
9. Contact us
If you have any questions about our use of cookies or this cookie policy, please contact us:
Email: hello@homememortgages.co.uk
Phone: 01628 884 693
Address: Orega Marlow, Marlow International, Parkway, Marlow, SL7 1YL