ICO Decision: London Borough of Redbridge FOI Inspection Dates Upheld Addresses Exempt

The Information Commissioner's Office issued a decision notice regarding Freedom of Information requests submitted to the London Borough of Redbridge. The complainant sought dates of inspections conducted on rental properties owned by Councillor Athwal. The Council initially withheld this information under section 40(2) of FOIA (personal data exemption). The ICO determined that the inspection dates themselves are not exempt under section 40(2) and must be disclosed, while the property addresses are protected under section 44(1)(a) due to a statutory prohibition on disclosure.

Local government authorities and public bodies subject to FOIA should note this decision as guidance on the proper application of personal data exemptions versus statutory prohibitions. The distinction drawn here — that factual inspection dates do not constitute personal data warranting exemption, while property addresses remain protected — may influence how similar requests are handled across other councils and public authorities. Compliance functions should flag this decision to FOI officers and ensure that exemption claims are narrowly tailored to the specific information at issue.