The Guild of Property Professionals has issued guidance to UK estate agents clarifying when identification can be requested from prospective viewers ahead of property viewings.
Paul Offley, compliance officer at The Guild, stated that whilst sellers may instruct agents to verify viewer identity before granting access, this falls outside anti-money laundering requirements, which only apply once a business relationship has been established.
“This is a separate matter entirely,” Offley said. “Agents should first establish the reasoning behind a vendor’s request to verify the identity of viewers.”
Standard practice and exceptions
In standard practice, agents typically collect a viewer’s name, address and contact details ahead of or during the viewing process, with appointments confirmed in writing and sometimes followed up by phone.
The Guild indicated that additional ID checks may be warranted in specific circumstances, including where vendors have security concerns, or where properties are linked to high-profile individuals or previous incidents involving harassment or stalking.
The guidance comes as regulatory pressures continue to reshape the UK property sector, with agents navigating increasing compliance requirements.
Application and consistency
Offley confirmed that viewers can refuse to provide identification, but emphasised that any request must be applied consistently and supported by a clear reason, without discriminatory application.
“Absolutely, they [viewers] can refuse,” he said. “But it’s essential that any request for ID is applied consistently to all viewers and is not used in a discriminatory way. There must be a valid and justifiable reason behind it.”
Where ID checks are requested by a seller, agents can inform applicants they are acting on instruction without disclosing the underlying reason. The guidance states that verification does not need to match full anti-money laundering checks, with visual confirmation of ID in person or via video call potentially sufficient in some cases.
There is no requirement for agents to retain copies of identification documents, according to the guidance.
Industry implications
The clarification addresses a grey area in estate agency practice, as the sector faces increasing scrutiny over operational procedures and data handling.
“In summary, yes, it is possible for estate agents to request ID before a viewing,” Offley concluded. “But it must be proportionate, justified, and handled correctly.”
The Guild advises agents to apply any ID verification process consistently and ensure it aligns with legal and ethical obligations.
