Connells Group Leverages Yoti E-Signatures for Faster, Safer Property Deals
Ever tried to sign a stack of property documents and wished it was as easy as tapping your phone? That’s the goal now for anyone dealing with Connells Group, the biggest name in UK estate agencies. They’ve grown their partnership with Yoti, a digital identity platform, to offer secure e-signatures not only for sales but also for all types of lettings. This is a big upgrade from when they initially ran a trial for sales contracts back in April 2020, which already showed promise—67% of deals got signed within just two hours. Clearly, speed was just the start.
Most people don’t want to drag out paperwork, especially when moving homes. The new system lets customers verify who they are using Yoti’s app, tapping into their biometrics and proper ID checks, crucial for those ironclad Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) rules. No paper chasing. No confusing emails. You just snap a selfie, scan your passport or driver’s license, and you’re set—right on your mobile or the web, whichever you’re more comfortable with.
Digital IDs from Yoti aren’t just for show; they tick all the boxes for legal requirements. So every time someone signs a lease or a sale contract, both property teams and customers get peace of mind. Since this rollout hits all 600 Connells branches, it’s not just a test run—it’s now the standard way things are done, whether you’re buying in Manchester or renting in Brighton.
What This Means for UK Property Hunters and Sellers
So, what does all this tech really change for everyday folks and agents? First, those painful onboarding steps—where agents check every document, rubber-stamp by rubber-stamp—get trimmed down. Nigel Trevor, who runs IT for Connells Group, says onboarding has become faster and less fussy, with way fewer delays in paperwork. According to Connells, the pilot results spoke for themselves: more than half the contracts zipped through the signing process in a fraction of the time it used to take. If you’re used to waiting days for signatures, two hours is a total game changer.
Yoti’s CEO, Robin Tombs, also highlights that this isn’t some flashy demo. The platform was built for scale, handling loads of users at once and delivering a smooth experience, whether you’re a tech newbie or a seasoned agent. The whole idea is to keep things simple but super secure.
- Biometric authentication means you can’t just scribble someone else’s name by mistake.
- Every digital signature is tied to a verified digital ID, so identity fraud takes a big hit.
- With all agreements easily tracked and stored electronically, the paper clutter is gone, saving both space and admin headaches.
The move fits right into Connells’ bigger digital strategy. UK property buying and renting can feel outdated, but with Yoti’s tech, Connells is banking on a future where secure, quick, and regulation-friendly transactions are just the new normal. For anyone sick of the back-and-forth and slow-moving deals, the change can’t come soon enough. People want less waiting, more certainty. With digital ID and e-signatures now in play, the slog of old-school property paperwork is starting to look like history.