Government-backed ID check sharing app for property industry unveiled

Buyers of new homes will now only have to prove their identity once instead of multiple times as a new verification scheme is introduced.

Guidelines which are set to be enshrined in a new law, allow agents, conveyancers, mortgage brokers, lenders and developers to share ID checks.

MyIdentity, a national digital system that has now won Government support, promises to make the whole verification process simpler and quicker.

It will be compliant with anti-money laundering legislation, and will be transferrable from one purchase to another if a buyer changes their mind about the property they want.

Robust

The Government has backed the scheme, which meets the requirements of the digital ID framework set out by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

Etive Technologies has developed MyIdentity working closely with the Home Builders Federation (HBF).

The HBF has now published guidelines following a consultation, which will be reflected in the Data Protection and Digital Information (No. 2) Bill that has been introduced in Parliament.

Steve Turner, executive director at the HBF, says: “We were delighted by the response to the consultation and the level of engagement from across the industry. These have allowed us to develop a robust set of processes that work for builders of all sizes.

“The new procedures are a huge step forward that will benefit both businesses and our customers and reduce delays, costs and the opportunity for errors.”

Stuart Young, MD at Etive, says: “The consultation highlighted the wide variation in the range and quality of validation and verification checks carried out.

“It also provides confidence that a standard for IDV and AML will drive the industry towards higher standards, reducing the likelihood of money laundering and ID/property fraud, which can only benefit the sector, buyers, and the UK economy.”