Estate agents and conveyancers must verify their client’s identity to meet compliance requirements and help prevent fraud and money laundering.

To help establish trust in digital identity products and provide a clear structure for using and sharing digital identities, the UK government is piloting the Digital Identity and Attributes Trust Framework, introduced by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).

For property professionals, the framework is critical as it allows them to share identity and attribute information securely and reliably and sets the standard for the future application of this technology.

The framework lays down strict rules and standards for storing, using, and sharing identity information to ensure the process is secure and fair for all parties involved. The framework aims to foster trust in digital identities, resulting in smoother and more efficient digital transactions.

The government is now testing the effectiveness of the trust framework via right-to-work, right-to-rent and DBS ID checking schemes. This work will continue until the government is confident the trust framework is ready to go live and following the passing of the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill into law.

The framework is crucial for estate agents and conveyancers because they often request the same information from clients that other regulated professionals have or will, such as proof of identity or bank statements, leading to client frustration.

By using a certified identity service provider, property professionals can be sure that the information they collect is done in a standardised and accredited way. It also gives professionals the confidence to receive this information from other parties who use identity service providers.

In short, this means that the identity and attribute information is properly verified. This enables agents and conveyancers to share identity verification with other professionals, such as mortgage brokers, and facilitate referrals between industry partners.

The framework is a significant progression in how professionals handle identity and attribute information. It represents a future where the sharing of such information between different sectors is secure, streamlined, and efficient.

By working with certified identity service providers under the framework, agents and conveyancers can potentially reduce paperwork, improve customer experience, and expedite transaction times.

As the framework gains wider adoption, it could pave the way for a universal standard for digital identity verification across all sectors.

Harriet Holmes is AML Services Manager at client compliance platform Thirdfort.