What is changing
The UK Government will replace existing designation lists with a single UK Sanctions List. From 9.00 am on Wednesday, 28 January 2026, the UK Sanctions List (UKSL) will be the authoritative source for checking whether an individual or entity is subject to UK financial sanctions. The OFSI Consolidated List and its search tool will no longer be updated from 28 January 2026.
The list will be accessible through the existing UK sanctions search service, which allows users to search by name and view details of current designations. From the launch date, this service will only draw from the single consolidated list, removing the need to cross-check multiple sources. The move is about how information is published and accessed, not about altering the scope of sanctions or the obligations placed on businesses.
Fact sheet: UK sanctions reporting obligations
Under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018, the UK Government introduced a new regime of issuing financial sanctions following the UK’s departure from the European Union. Under the Act, businesses specified in the Act have to report to the OFSI if they suspect they are engaging with a client who is under financial sanctions.
What this means for property agents
Agents are already required to have systems in place to identify and report suspected breaches of financial sanctions. Estate agents must carry out checks as part of their customer due diligence, while letting agents may also encounter sanctions risks depending on the nature of their business and transactions.
The introduction of a single list should reduce administrative burden and uncertainty. Agents will have greater confidence that a single search covers all UK designations, making checks more efficient and easier to evidence.
However, this does not reduce agents’ responsibilities. Checks must still be carried out at the appropriate points in a transaction, records must be kept, and any matches or suspicions must be reported in line with the rules.
Propertymark’s position
We have consistently raised concerns about the complexity and practicality of the UK’s sanctions regime for property agents. We have highlighted that unclear processes and fragmented information increase the risk of non-compliance, particularly for small and medium-sized agencies without dedicated compliance teams.
To recognise the property agents' role in preventing economic crime, clearer, more workable systems are needed to avoid disproportionate burdens on the sector.
The move to a single sanctions list is a welcome step towards greater clarity and consistency, but it must be supported by clear guidance and ongoing engagement with industry.
Propertymark has also repeatedly stressed the need for better awareness and understanding of sanctions obligations across the property sector, alongside proportionate enforcement.
Support available for members
Propertymark provides a range of guidance and resources to help members understand and meet their financial sanctions obligations. This includes fact sheets on UK sanctions reporting duties, practical explanations of agents’ responsibilities, and ongoing policy work focused on improving the effectiveness and fairness of the sanctions regime.
As the single list goes live, we will continue to work with government and regulators to ensure agents have the clarity and support they need to play their part in tackling economic crime, while running compliant and sustainable businesses.
Members are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the new system now and to make use of Propertymark’s resources to stay ahead of the change.
