Estate agent asking for details

sellingnewbie

I'm selling my house. I have completed CREDAS checks and uploaded my driving licence and passport. The estate agent is now phoning and emailing me, asking what my occupation is. I don't see how that is relevant to me selling my house? Can anyone shed any light on this? I've never sold a house before. Thanks!

eddddy

Estate Agents are required to do 'Anti Money Laundering' checks. There are different opinions about how far these checks should go.

But I've heard it suggested that estate agents should check sellers for 'unexplained wealth'. So if you are selling a £5m house, but your occupation is part-time supermarket cashier, the estate agent might feel that needs to be reported to the authorities as suspicious.

Or there might be another reason.

user1977

As above. Why are you concerned about telling them what your occupation is? You know their occupation…

Keep_pedalling

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81877193#Comment_81877193

The OP might be a spy 😈

theartfullodger

If hiding your occupation, what else did you wish to keep private??

Were I agent I'd find that stance off-putting. It's up to them (broadly -eg racism not permitted..) what conditions they impose: Equally it's entirely up to you to impose your conditions (eg not disclosing occupation). But you both need to agree terms to move forward! Your shout.

Wouldn't be surprised to find some might wish to see bank statements which might give a wee hint.

Artful, retired, 78, if anyone's interested.

Best wishes to all

sellingnewbie

I'm selling as part of separating from an abusive ex. I don't want personal details getting back to them, in case they try to find me at work. I know I can ask the estate agent not to disclose this information but mistakes happen and I'd feel safer disclosing as little as possible about my new life.

eddddy

sellingnewbiesaid:

I'm selling as part of separating from an abusive ex. I don't want personal details getting back to them, in case they try to find me at work. I know I can ask the estate agent not to disclose this information but mistakes happen and I'd feel safer disclosing as little as possible about my new life.

Tell the estate agent that you don't want to disclose your occupation for that reason, and see what they say.

The estate agent has to do a 'risk assessment' of you along the lines of… "How likely are you to be money laundering?".

So I guess they might combine your refusal to answer that question (and the reasons you give for not answering), with other stuff they know about you, to decide how suspicious that is. If, overall, they think you're sufficiently suspicious, they might submit a "Suspicious Activity Report".

SiliconChip

Surely you can tell them what your occupation is without saying anything about who your employer is or where you work, unless your jobs is so specialised that you're the only person in the area doing it?

theartfullodger

Social media/ t'internet probably has your details ,,,,,

RelievedSheff

The estate agent has a duty of care to prove that you are who you say you are and that you have the right to sell the property.

It doesn't sound like they are asking inappropriate questions. If you want to sell your house you will have to give them the details they are requesting. Any other agent will only ask for the same information.

theartfullodger

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81878494#Comment_81878494

• will ask for similar information.