HomeViews strives to provide valuable, insightful, and trustworthy content – that’s why we verify reviews.
A verified review is one that has been proven to have been written by an actual resident of the development.
We use a third party company called GBG ID3 to verify reviews. Every review that is submitted on HomeViews requires information including the reviewer’s full name and address/flat number (we only show their display name on site to protect their identity in accordance with GDPR).
This information is passed via a secure API to GBG ID3 that checks the reviewer’s details against public records such as the electoral register. If the reviewer’s details match public records, the review is automatically verified.
However, sometimes automatic verification doesn’t work (for example, if a development is new and the address hasn’t been registered yet).
The reviewer is emailed asking for proof of address in one of two ways. First, to send a screenshot or photo that proves their address, such as a copy of a utility bill or tenancy agreement. Second, they can use our geo-locator tool for a one-time location share that confirms they are in the building that they're writing a review of.
If the review is still unverified after the first email, two reminder email are sent as a follow up. This is so that there are plenty of opportunities for residents to send us their verification details. If there’s no response after these reminders, the review remains unverified.