How to comply with the Money Laundering Regulations (property agents)

The Central England Trading Standards Authorities (CEnTSA) has published a report on a three-year enforcement project across the West Midlands that targeted CMP failures by letting agents and helped protect more than £11.1 million in client money. Propertymark’s compliance team supported the operation by answering hundreds of enquiries from Trading Standards and providing witness statements when required.

Propertymark audit visits are receiving excellent feedback and giving firms greater confidence in their compliance processes—challenging the perception that audits are designed to catch agents out. Increasingly, members use the visits as a practical check on how daily procedures work and to identify improvements early.

Propertymark shared member survey data to illustrate the challenges faced by agents when the UK Government requested evidence on how the UK Money Laundering Regulations could be improved. Ministers have listened, and regulations expected to take effect in early 2026 will have sensible changes to Customer Due Diligence and improve access to compliant business banking services for agencies.

Despite acknowledging concerns from Propertymark and others that property firms find pricing more complex because of tax, fees, and other variables, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has pressed ahead with publishing generic guidance on price transparency under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024. From 6 April 2025, the DMCCA replaced the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations, so the CMA’s approach will shape day to day advertising for every agent.