Open account limited ID

MrLong

Hi all,

A friend of mine needs to open a basic bank account that will only need to be an account with a debit card and pin. All she has is her birth certificate and tenancy agreement the tenancy agreement was prepared by her landlord using a template by the look of it.

Anyone any ideas on what she needs to do to open a usable account? Thanks

MovingForwards

How long has she been her rental?
Is she on the electoral roll?
Does she not have any bills with her address on?
Where did she live before? 
Does she work or receive benefits?

Banks / building societies list their ID requirements on their websites.

All tenancy agreements tend to be standard templates.

MrLong

hello,

She started renting a room last Thurs 1/10/20

Not on electoral roll

No other bills as all bills included in her rent

Lived with an abusive ex boyfriend who threw away her paperwork etc
Currently looking for a job

The last bank account she had was several years ago with Lloyds (needs ID to revive dormant account) as she has been living off her ex..

Thanks

MovingForwards

Ok
If she applies online to put herself on the electoral roll, she can request written acknowledgment of her submission.

Is she claiming benefits yet? If so, she can request a letter from DWP.

If she knows her NI number she can call the tax office and request written confirmation of her tax code for this year.

I'm not sure what the requirements are to open an account with Monzo / starling.

Aside from that, it's having a look at any bank / building society website and seeing what ID they accept, but if she can get some of the above suggestions sorted out, that will help her sort her old Lloyds account out and open up a new one with someone else, if that's what she wants to do.

jonesMUFCforever

Does/did she have a photo driving licence? If so Lloyds will accept that as sole ID to open an account or reactivate a dormant one.

MovingForwards

Did she use somewhere like woman's aid to get away from her ex? Either way, it would be worth her contacting them to see what they can suggest.

Here's an overview of what could be accepted:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/basic-bank-accounts/amp

PRAISETHESUN

When I first moved to the UK I had a similar issue struggling to prove my address. I basically took all the documentation I had and walked into every bank branch in town and asked if what I had was enough to satisfy their requirements. Santander were the only ones to accept my private tenancy agreement, although that was probably at the manager's discretion because it was from a well-known and reputable letting agency in my town. Otherwise Monzo/Startling are normally pretty easy to open an account with as they only require photographic ID and a valid UK address to post stuff to.

I'd recommend having a look at bank websites to see what banks will accept what ID, and if your friend has anything that might meet those requirements or be able to get easily. They may be able to easily get something from DWP or HMRC, or apply for a provisional driving licence for example. Getting the Lloyds account reactivated may also be an easier option than applying for a whole new account as well - just make sure it isn't something that the ex may have access to.