Estate Agents asking for verification of proof of ID

user1977

TripleH said:

Send driving licence and recent utility bill to estate agents (not credit card) with you name and address on. Driving licence photo ID are valid and acceptable forms of ID

Nothing is generally deemed to be a "valid and acceptable form of ID", and as mentioned above, if what they want is someone to confirm the photo ID matches the OP, receiving a driving licence in the post isn't going to help.

CarefulBill

Honestly, it's frustrating but just give them what they want. 
Our agent, (and our vendor!) individually want id - with different criteria to that asked for by either conveyancer or lender.

Some want photo id, others proof of address, others recent correspondence of particular types. 
One solicitors app made me do a selfie video turning my head left and right and reading out numbers as they appeared.
Nobody has actually made me dance for them yet, - it's frustrating but normal in the current market.

sheramber

I had to upload a scan of me holding my driving licence up at the side of my face,  Also  a scan of a utility bill.

This was done through a id verification link.

This was when covid prevented face to face meetings.

BrumBab30

Seems to be resolved now. I had to pester the Broker to arrange a zoom call to verify us. Thank you for all the advice.

I thought I would check as no one seems to tell you until the last minute, despite us asking and making sure we have everything we needed for this stage.

rexmedorum

for the house we bought the agent wanted me to send mortgage in principle & id before viewing. I said 'yes you will get those if we get to the stage of having an offer accepted.'

theartfullodger

Ask agent for proof of HIS I D.  Why could he refuse? 

charlotteo1988

We only gave our verified ID once our offer was accepted. 

We actually had a third party through our solicitor which cost £6.00 and I just had to send my solicitor driving licence and utility bill. 

Only reason we had it before was because we had sold our property so had instructed our solicitors but when we previously sold our property before we had our ID verified at the post office, think it lasts like 3 months and explains it all on their website. 

I think every one is a little more OTT since covid. When we were searching they wanted all the details of our sold property and who we sold it with and one asked what price….don’t know why unless they were trying to find it on the estate agents website. 

Good luck with everything. 

TheJP

eddddy said:

This seems a bit excessive, just to get an offer submitted to the seller. Has the Estate Agent seen you in person?

Ask the Estate Agent how they want your ID verified.

If they say your solicitor needs to verify it, just explain that you're not instructing your solicitor until you've had an offer accepted. That seems completely reasonable.

You shouldn't have to incur solicitors fees in order to get an offer accepted.

Id say its a sign of a good EA, checking IDs and making sure finance is in principle is the minimum i would expect from an EA. I do agree that the EA need to be more withstanding regarding how and what they want. My Ea when selling used a platform called credas to check us out. All straight forward and swift.

Robbo66

If sending copies by email then they need to validated, this can be done by a notary alternatively go to the agents office with the originals and they can then they photocopy them which would should be acceptable

nicmyles

Do they mean they want your ID *certified*? 

There are a range of professional people who can do this, including solicitors, local councillors, teachers, vicars, bank managers...it's quite a long list. If you don't know any of these people personally, just pop into a bank.

All it means is they will write a standard form of words on a copy of your ID ("I certify this is a true and fair likeness of..." etc) and then sign it with their professional details and possibly a stamp.

Whenever I've needed this, I've just got a friend who is a solicitor to do it. It just can't be a relative, partner or housemate.