New research from identity verification provider Credas Technologies reveals that UK estate agents are adjusting how they manage compliance costs, with many now charging clients for ID and anti-money laundering (AML) checks.
A survey of 250 UK estate agents and property professionals found 63% already pass on ID check fees to clients. Since most transactions involve multiple parties, these costs accumulate rapidly, pushing firms to reconsider their fee structures.
The study highlights the growing financial pressure of compliance, showing that 84% of agents either charge or plan to charge for ID verification within the next year. On average, small independent agencies spend about £16,000 annually on compliance-related tasks, leading to a focus on tools that improve cost recovery.
Although 79% of firms use digital ID verification, 64% still rely on manual document checks to some extent. This combination introduces inefficiencies and risk. Agents ranked instant results (68%), enhanced customer experience (56%), lower costs (48%), and integrated payments (48%) as the most sought-after features in ID verification services.
Tim Barnett, CEO of Credas, explained, “The cost of compliance is no longer something firms can absorb without consequence. Property professionals are telling us they need faster, smarter ways to recover these costs, and that’s exactly what we’ve built with Credas Payments.”
Credas Payments, launched in response to these challenges, lets firms embed payment collection directly into the ID verification process. Clients pay securely at the time of verification, eliminating the need for separate invoicing, reconciliation, or chasing payments.
“Firms want to remain compliant, but they also need to protect their bottom line,” Barnett added. “Credas Payments allows them to do both – turning compliance into a revenue opportunity without extra admin or risk.”
