Frequently asked questions

What we check, what we do not, and how the money works.

What exactly do you verify?

The landlord's legal name, as verified from a government-issued document and a selfie. We show you that name so you can compare it with the ownership document you already hold.

What do you not verify?

We do not confirm that the person owns the property, that they are allowed to rent it out, or that any authority document they show you is genuine, and we do not confirm that the deposit account they enter is theirs. We attest identity and legal name only. The point is continuity: the account is filled in by the person who just passed the check, so the money follows the verified identity. You do the final comparison against the documents and make the call yourself.

What if the person renting out the flat is not the owner?

That is common, and it is fine: agencies, property managers, relatives and subletting tenants all rent out flats they do not own. Our check confirms who a person is, not what they are allowed to do. So have whoever is taking your deposit verify as themselves, and ask for the paperwork behind their story. Acting for the owner? Ask for the owner's document plus written authority naming them: a procuração, or a certidão permanente if the owner is a company (that one you can check online with its access code). Keep in mind a procuração is hard for you to check, so the strongest option is to have the owner verify: the link is forwardable, and whoever completes the check is the one who enters the deposit account.

What if they are a tenant subletting the flat?

Subletting is common, and no ownership document applies to the person doing it. Have them verify as themselves and ask to see their lease. The verified name tells you exactly who is taking your deposit; the lease tells you they actually hold the place they are renting out. Without both, you are paying a stranger.

What if I do not have the ownership document yet?

Ask for it before you pay us. A verified name on its own still tells you who is taking your money, but it is worth most when you have a document to compare it with: the ownership document, or written authority or a lease if they do not own the flat. If you have already paid, you can cancel for a full refund at any time until the landlord starts verifying.

How much does it cost, and who pays?

One verification costs €12.90. The renter pays. The landlord verifies for free.

Can I get a refund?

Yes. You can request a refund at any time until the landlord has started verifying far enough that the verification service charges us for the check. After that point it is non-refundable. Your results page shows whether a refund is still available.

What does the landlord have to do?

Open the link you send them and complete a short ID check: photograph an ID document and take a selfie. It takes about two minutes, on their phone, with no account to create.

Do you see the landlord's ID document?

No. The document image, the selfie, and any ID numbers stay with the verification service. We receive only the verified legal name.

What if the landlord refuses to verify?

A refusal is useful information. An honest landlord has little reason to refuse a free two-minute ID check that helps close the deal. A scammer, whose business depends on staying anonymous, has every reason. Treat a refusal as a warning sign, not as proof.

What if the verified name does not match the document?

Then there is something to settle before you pay anything. A mismatch is not automatically a scam: agents, relatives and subletting tenants rent out flats they do not own. Ask which they are. Acting for the owner? Ask for written authority from the owner naming the verified name (hard for you to check, so better still, have the owner verify too). Subletting? Ask for their lease. Until their story and the paperwork match, you know who they are, but not that the flat is theirs to rent out.

Is this proof that they own the property?

No. It is not legal proof of ownership. The property document tells you the owner's name; Landlord ID verifies whether the person asking for your money has that legal identity. Comparing the two is yours to do.

Do I need an account?

No. You do not need one. You keep a private link to your results, and we email it to you so you never lose it.

What personal data do you keep?

Your email address, and the landlord's verified legal name. Nothing else about the landlord (document image, ID number, address) ever reaches us.

Who is behind Landlord ID?

Landlord ID was founded by Dr Rok Strniša, an entrepreneur with more than 15 years in the tech industry: a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Cambridge, then networking research engineer at Citrix, financial engineer at the London hedge fund Winton, and principal engineer at the tech unicorn Improbable.