KYC and Anti-Money Laundering Checks

Key facts at a glance

Why Property Firms Must Check You

Property is attractive to criminals because large sums can be moved in a single transaction, so the UK's anti-money laundering rules apply to estate agency businesses, solicitors, conveyancers and lenders. Before acting, each firm must identify its client, understand the purpose of the transaction and, where relevant, where the money comes from. Firms that skip these checks face heavy fines, so they cannot make exceptions even for long-standing clients.

What Sellers Are Usually Asked For

• Individuals: a passport or driving licence and a recent utility bill or bank statement, often checked electronically.
• Joint owners: each owner is checked.
• Companies and SPVs: certificate of incorporation, register of shareholders, details of directors and people with significant control, and ID for anyone owning more than 25%. Since 18 November 2025, directors and people with significant control have also had to verify their identity with Companies House.
• Trusts: the trust deed and ID for the trustees, settlor and beneficiaries.
• Executors: the grant of probate and ID for the executors.
• Overseas entities owning UK land must be on the Register of Overseas Entities before they can sell.

Checks on Buyers

Buyers face more detailed checks, including evidence of where their deposit and purchase funds come from, such as savings, the sale of another property or investor capital. This protects sellers too: a cash buyer who cannot evidence their funds is unlikely to complete.

Avoiding Delays

• Have ID and company or trust documents ready for every owner before you agree a sale.
• Expect each firm involved to run its own checks, even if another firm has already done so.
• Tell your advisers early about any overseas owners, sanctions links or politically exposed persons, as enhanced checks take longer.
• Make sure names on the title match your current ID, or have marriage certificates or deed polls ready.

Official Sources and Further Reading

• GOV.UK: Money laundering supervision for estate agency businesses
• GOV.UK: Register of Overseas Entities

General information for landlords in England, checked against official sources in October 2026. It is not tax, legal or financial advice: speak to a qualified accountant or solicitor about your own circumstances.