Trust is the foundation of every successful rental. Squarelly's identity verification system is designed to establish that trust before any conversation begins — protecting renters and landlords equally.
The Problem with Unverified Platforms
On unverified rental platforms, anyone can create a listing or send an enquiry with no accountability. The result is an environment where fake listings, fraudulent landlords, identity misrepresentation, and low-quality enquiries are commonplace. Both sides pay the price — renters waste time and risk being scammed, and landlords are flooded with anonymous, unqualified contacts.
How Squarelly's Verification Works
Before a renter can initiate contact with a landlord, and before a landlord can publish a listing, both parties must complete identity verification through Stripe Identity — Squarelly's verification provider. This involves:
- Submitting a valid government-issued photo ID (passport, national ID card, or driving licence)
- Completing a selfie or liveness check to confirm the ID belongs to the person submitting it
Once verified, a profile receives a verified badge — visible to the other party before any connection is made.
What This Means for Renters
When you contact a landlord on Squarelly, you know:
- The person behind the listing has been identity-verified
- They are accountable — their real identity is on record with the platform
- Fake or anonymous listings cannot be published on Squarelly
This significantly reduces the risk of rental fraud, phantom listings, and scam attempts that are common on unverified platforms.
What This Means for Landlords
When a renter initiates contact with your listing, you know:
- The person enquiring has passed identity verification
- They are who their profile says they are
- Anonymous or throwaway accounts cannot contact you
This means every enquiry you receive comes from an identifiable, accountable individual — reducing time wasted on unserious or fraudulent contacts.
The Limits of Verification
Identity verification confirms who someone is — it does not verify financial standing, rental history, or suitability as a tenant or landlord. Both parties should still conduct appropriate due diligence as part of the tenancy process. Verification is a trust baseline, not a full background check.