Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Requirements
As an estate agency, Popular Move is required to comply with the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 and subsequent amendments.
Before we can act on your behalf, we are legally required to verify the identity of all customers and, where applicable, identify any individuals who ultimately own or control the property or transaction (known as Beneficial Owners).
We may also be required to establish the source of funds, source of wealth or the destination of funds involved in a transaction.
Failure to provide the requested documentation may result in delays and could prevent us from proceeding with your instructions.
Electronic Verification
Popular Move uses Credas and/or Creditsafe to carry out electronic identity verification and Anti-Money Laundering checks.
These checks may include:
- Identity verification
- Address verification
- Sanctions screening
- Politically Exposed Person (PEP) checks
- Adverse media screening
- Beneficial ownership verification
Electronic checks may leave a soft footprint on your credit file but will not affect your credit score.
Individual Identification Requirements
We require:
One document from List A (Proof of Identity)
AND
One document from List B (Proof of Address)
Original documents, certified copies or approved electronic verification may be accepted.
Please note that additional documentation may be requested depending on your individual circumstances.
List A – Proof of Identity
One of the following:
- Current signed Passport
- Full or Provisional UK Driving Licence (Photo Card)
- EEA/EU National Identity Card
- Biometric Residence Permit (where applicable)
List B – Proof of Address
Documents must show your full name and current residential address.
UK Driving Licence
(Only if not already used as Proof of Identity)
- Valid and unexpired
- Full or provisional photocard licence
Bank, Building Society or Credit Union Statement
- Dated within the last 3 months
- Must show account number and recent transactions
- General correspondence not accepted
Credit Card Statement
- Dated within the last 3 months
- Must show account number and recent transactions
- General correspondence not accepted
Mortgage Statement
- UK, EU or EEA lender
- Dated within the last 12 months
- Must show account number
Utility Bill
Acceptable examples include:
- Gas
- Electricity
- Water
Requirements:
- Dated within the last 6 months
- Must show service address and/or account number
- General correspondence not accepted
Telephone Bill
Acceptable examples include:
- Landline
- Mobile contract
Requirements:
- Dated within the last 6 months
- Must show service address and/or account number
- Pay-as-you-go statements are not accepted
Council Tax Bill
- Dated within the last 12 months
- Must show property address
Tenancy Agreement
- Dated within the last 12 months
- Must display full name and property address
- Issued by a local authority, housing association, solicitor or reputable letting agent
Benefits Entitlement Letter
Issued by:
- Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
- Jobcentre Plus
Examples include:
- Pension Credit
- Disability Benefits
- Housing Benefit
- Universal Credit
Must be dated within the last 12 months.
HMRC Tax Notification
- Dated within the last 6 months
- Must include National Insurance Number and tax calculation
- General correspondence not accepted
Home or Motor Insurance Certificate
- Dated within the last 12 months
- Must show policy number
- Must show residential address or registered vehicle address
Solicitor’s Letter Confirming Property Purchase
- Dated within the last 3 months
- Must confirm ownership and property address
NHS Medical Card or GP Registration Letter
- Dated within the last 3 months
- Must show NHS Number and date of birth
Electoral Register Confirmation or Poll Card
- Dated within the last 12 months
- Must show full name and address
Police Registration Certificate
- Must show current residential address
Probate and Estate Matters
Where a property is being sold by Personal Representatives, we will require:
If There Is A Will
- Grant of Probate
If There Is No Will
- Letters of Administration
In Addition
- Proof of Identity and Proof of Address for all acting Executors or Administrators
Limited Companies
If you are representing a UK Limited Company, we may require:
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Memorandum of Association
- Articles of Association
- Latest Confirmation Statement
- Details of Directors
- Details of Shareholders
In addition, we require:
- Identity and Address verification for all individuals holding 25% or more of the shares or voting rights.
- Identification of Ultimate Beneficial Owners (UBOs).
Offshore Companies
If the company is registered outside the UK, we may additionally require:
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Certificate of Incumbency
- Register of Directors
- Register of Shareholders
- Share Certificates
- Evidence of Ultimate Beneficial Ownership
- Nominee Director Declarations (where applicable)
- Powers of Attorney (where applicable)
Where ownership is held through another company, identification requirements will extend to the controlling entity.
Trusts
If you are acting on behalf of a Trust, we require:
- Trust Deed
- List of Trustees
- List of Beneficiaries
- Details of any Controlling Persons
- Verification of individuals holding 25% or more beneficial interest
- Verification of trustees exercising control
Additional documentation may be requested depending on the structure of the Trust.
Source of Funds & Source of Wealth
Where required by legislation or our internal compliance procedures, Popular Move may request evidence of:
Source of Funds
Examples include:
- Property sale proceeds
- Savings
- Investments
- Pension withdrawals
- Inheritance
- Mortgage funds
Source of Wealth
Examples include:
- Employment income
- Business ownership
- Property investments
- Inheritance
- Long-term savings
Supporting evidence may be requested before a transaction can proceed.
Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) & Sanctions Checks
As part of our legal obligations, Popular Move uses electronic verification systems to screen clients against:
- Politically Exposed Persons (PEP) databases
- International sanctions lists
- Financial crime databases
- Adverse media databases
Being identified as a PEP does not automatically prevent us from acting but may require enhanced due diligence checks.
Questions?
If you have any questions regarding our Anti-Money Laundering requirements or the documentation required, please contact our team.