Privacy Policy

Pine Grove Apartments ("Pine Grove," "we," "us") is an affordable apartment community at 18 Union St, Searsport, Maine 04974, financed through the USDA Rural Development Section 515 program and managed by Union Street Property Management ("USPM"). This policy explains what information we collect through this website and our online services, how we use it, and the choices you have.

Information we collect

When you send us an inquiry

Our "Get Started" form asks for:

• Your name, phone number, email address, and current address
• The bedroom size you need and your household size
• Your estimated annual household income, so we can tell you whether you are likely to qualify
• Optional questions, such as whether your household needs an accessible unit, and any notes you choose to add
• Your consent for us to contact you

Optional answers are voluntary. We use them only to match you with a suitable unit or program preference and to respond to accommodation requests. We never use them to discourage or deny an application.

Address suggestions

As you type your address, the text you enter is sent through our server to Google's address-lookup service (Google Places) to suggest matching addresses. Google handles that text under its own privacy policy.

When you apply or become a resident

If you apply or become a resident, we collect more information that the USDA Rural Development program requires. Examples include household members, income, assets, and the documents that verify them. We use it to determine eligibility and rent. It is covered by the notices you receive with your application and lease, and by federal program rules.

When you pay rent by card or bank account

Card and bank account payments are made through secure payment links we send you, and are processed by Stripe, Inc. Stripe collects your card or bank account details directly and handles them under its own privacy policy. We receive the payment amount, date, and status, plus limited details such as the payment type and the last four digits of the account. We never see or store full card or bank account numbers.

Information collected automatically

This website does not use advertising cookies, analytics, or tracking pixels. Our hosting provider, Cloudflare, may set strictly necessary security cookies to protect the site from abuse. Like any website, the services that deliver our fonts, icons, and map (Google Fonts, jsDelivr, unpkg, and CARTO/OpenStreetMap) receive your IP address and browser details when the page loads.

How we use information

• To respond to your inquiry and tell you about available apartments
• To manage our waiting list, applications, and leases
• To process rent payments and send receipts
• To meet USDA Rural Development, fair housing, and other legal requirements
• To keep our website and systems secure and prevent fraud

How we share information

We do not sell or rent your personal information. We share it only:

• With USDA Rural Development, as required to run the program and show we comply with it
• With service providers who operate our systems on our behalf, such as hosting, communications, and payment processing. Applicant screening providers are included only with your written authorization when you apply.
• When required by law, court order, or to protect the rights and safety of residents, staff, or the property
• With your consent

Calls, texts, and email

If you give us your phone number or email address and agree to be contacted, we may call, text, or email you about your inquiry, application, or tenancy. Message and data rates may apply. You can opt out of text messages at any time by replying STOP, or ask us to stop any type of contact. We do not share mobile phone numbers or text-messaging consent with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes.

How we protect information

Information you send through this website is encrypted in transit (HTTPS). Only authorized staff who need your information to do their jobs can access it. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, but we use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect it.

How long we keep information

We keep inquiry information while it is relevant to your housing search, waiting-list position, or application. Applicant and resident records are kept for the periods that USDA Rural Development and other laws require. After that we delete or de-identify the records.

Your choices

You may ask to see, correct, or delete the personal information we hold about you, or ask us to stop contacting you. Some records must be kept to meet program or legal requirements. To make a request, contact us using the details below.

Children's privacy

This website is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from them through it.

Accessibility and fair housing

Pine Grove Apartments is an Equal Housing Opportunity provider. If you need this policy in another format, or need a reasonable accommodation to use this website or apply, please contact us. TTY/Relay users can dial 711.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. When we do, we will change the "Last updated" date at the top of this page.

Contact us

Pine Grove Apartments, c/o Union Street Property Management
18 Union St, Searsport, ME 04974
Phone: (207) 305-8778 (TTY/Relay: 711)
Email: help@uspm.co
Office hours: Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm ET