Landolrd ID

Rekusu

What ho one and all,

I am a very small-time landlord with only one maisonette available.

I am currently getting a new tenant, found via a local letting agent. I have been with this agent for around 3 years, but they are now asking me, the landlord for a copy of my passport.

The say it is a legal requirement but cannot show me the law that says so. I do not understand why they need a copy.

Is it a legal requirement and if so, why?

Please do not suggest that I find a different agent; they have been in business for donkey's years; I have found them to be good and honest and I do not doubt their integirty at all.

Thanks

Rex

ACG

I think they have it wrong, they are supposed to ID tenants for immigration purposes. But to be fair, you could argue they should be IDing you anyway for money laundering purposes.

kinger101

What's the problem with just showing your passport? I can think of many sound reasons to check your ID. For one, to check the own the property. And finding out who you really are (e.g. for money laundering regulations). It's not an unsual request. I'd just comply.

anselld

Probably Money Laundering Regulations, but it is not required unless they are also offering Estate Agency Services as well as Lettings. See ...
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/registration-guide-for-estate-agency-businesses

davidmcn

Rekusu wrote: »

I have found them to be good and honest and I do not doubt their integrity at all.

Then give them a copy of your passport.

Rekusu

I don't have a problem with showing them my passport but they want a photocopy, and that I am not comfortable with that.

In all honesty, I don't think the copy is even likely to be stolen but these days, were we are advised to be alert to all kinds of identity theft, I don't understand why a letting agent, who are happy to invoice me, which I pay, need a copy of my passport.

I did suggest they could have a copy, with the number and date redacted, but they are not happy with that idea. If they asked for a copy of the lease, to ensure that I do actually own the property, I understand, but my passport, ..........?

davidmcn

Rekusu wrote: »

I don't have a problem with showing them my passport but they want a photocopy, and that I am not comfortable with that.

Money-laundering regulations (assuming that's where the request comes from - it seems likely anyway) require organisations to be able to prove that they have checked your ID - it's not enough for them to claim later that they probably looked at your passport, they need to keep a copy on file.

paddyrg

How about a black and white photocopy marked in red "ID copy for use by xyz estate agency only" with the date?

theartfullodger

I've never been asked by an agent or a tenant to prove who I am (silly agent & tenants!). However, if those are their terms for doing business, either provide or find another agent.

As an honourable man (?) you'll clearly be declaring all rent income, have all the right safety stuff, nothing to hide, eh?

Just because a company has been in business for years means nothing: Some distant cousins ran a Solicitors for around 100years: Eventually went bust, fraud....

Trust nobody: Especially don't trust Internet forums, oh no, terrible places... :rotfl:

scriv

Don't feel upset with your agent, it's just the new very stringent ID, right to rent and money laundering checks they all have to do these days. I know it's ridiculous, but.....

I think the agents have to have these on record nowadays and are probably taking the opportunity to do it when there is a new transaction ie new tenancy agreement.

Rekusu

OK, thanks everyone. And I must apologies for the title typo; very lazy of me!

They say they should have ask 3 years ago but forgot to do so. The stamp idea is good, but it is not so much whether the passport can (or cannot be copied), my issue is with the visibility of the important information (number, date of issue/expiry, etc

Guess I will let them have a look at it and I am happy to sign anything that says they have seen it. And I'm happy to redact a photo-copy, but they are not!