How to comply with the Money Laundering Regulations (estate agents)
It’s a criminal offence to trade as an estate agency business without being registered with HMRC for money laundering supervision. Make sure you know the rules, risks and ensure that criminal gangs or unscrupulous individuals are not using your business to exploit their ill-gotten gains.
AML resources for members
Fact sheet: Money Laundering Regulations
The aim of the legislation is to reduce money laundering and increase the transparency of business operations in the UK. More recent regulations have been largely driven in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, where the focus has been on overseas actors.
How to comply with the Money Laundering Regulations (auctioneers)
It’s a criminal offence to trade as a high value dealer or property auctioneer without being registered with HMRC for money laundering supervision. Make sure you understand the rules, educate yourself about the risks and ensure criminal gangs or unscrupulous individuals are not using your business to exploit their ill-gotten gains.
FAQs: Economic Crime Levy (UK)
The levy was announced at Budget 2020 and the Economic Crime (Anti-Money Laundering) Levy Regulations 2022 were published on 11 March 2022. The Regulations came into force on 1 April 2022.
More information
Guidance for money laundering supervision
Guidance to help prevent money laundering and terrorist financing if you’re an estate agency or property related business.
Reporting SARs
The NCA's SAR Portal enables you to submit Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) to the UK Financial Intelligence Unit (UKFIU) positioned within the National Crime Agency (NCA).
Examining identity documents
This Government guide details how to detect basic forgeries in identity documents.
False ID guidance
See the Government's guides on the legislation relevant to false ID, the types of valid ID, and to what action should be taken when presented with false ID.
Detailed information
Government guidance and forms for money laundering regulations. Including registering, fees, the fit and proper test, reporting, compliance checks, penalties and appeals.
OFSI Consolidated List Search
The consolidated list of financial sanctions targets search enables users to find information relating to asset freeze and investment ban targets across all financial sanctions regimes implemented in the UK.
Register with HMRC
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) are the AML supervisors for estate agents. They ensure that companies under their supervision comply with the legislation and maintain a register of their supervised population. Apply to register for money laundering supervision or use the link to manage your account.
Anti-money laundering training
Face-to-face and virtual courses
Anti-money laundering: essentials
This foundation course will provide you with the knowledge you need to ensure compliance with Money Laundering Regulations and the Proceeds of Crime Act.
Anti-money laundering: advanced
Get the knowledge needed to ensure that you can competently undertake the duties of a Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO).
Money laundering regulations and how to comply
This course provides practical approaches to manage risk and ensure Money Laundering compliance in the sales and letting agency sector. The penalties for non-compliance are significant and the training of all staff is a mandatory requirement.
Anti-money laundering: a quick refresher
It is a legal requirement for all relevant property professionals to receive AML training and to stay up-to-date with the current rules.
eLearning: An introduction to anti-money laundering
Raise your awareness of money laundering activities and better equip yourself to minimise the risks by knowing what to look out for.
Latest news on the legislation
Cracks in the system allow property crime to flourish
A BBC investigation has revealed that criminals used the UK Government’s unclaimed estates list to commit probate fraud. The list, published on the Gov.uk website, included details of around 6,000 estates left by people who died without a will or known heirs. It was taken offline in July 2025 after evidence showed fraudsters used it to submit fake wills and claim millions of pounds in assets.
Further tranche of agents hit with penalties for AML failures
194 agents have incurred penalties totalling over £1 million for breaches identified by HM Revenue and Customs between October 2024 and March 2025. The vast majority are a result of failing to register for Anti-Money Laundering (AML) supervision on time – the most common reason agents are fined. This highlights how important it is for property professionals to understand the rules, apply correctly, and maintain an up-to-date registration with HMRC.
A stark warning on property fraud as man regains possession of stolen home
Fraudsters exploited the vulnerabilities in the property transaction system by stealing a homeowner’s identity and using a fake driving licence to set up a bank account in his name to facilitate a sale in 2021. After four years, on 11 March 2025, a County Court finally granted the owner full possession of his home.
Policy and campaigns
Reducing economic crime in the property sector
Purchasing property in the UK is a common method that can be used by serious organised criminals to launder the proceeds of criminal activity. This position paper includes recommendations that the UK Government should include in future legislation as well as other plans and reforms to reduce economic crime.