SMC is committed to operating its business in a transparent and open manner consistent with our legal and regulatory obligations. We are aware that the real estate industry is a target for organised criminals seeking to launder the proceeds of criminal activity. We always seek to prevent this activity by cooperating fully with the authorities and reporting suspicious activity to National Crime Agency.
As part of this commitment we adopt a strict compliance of all applicable Anti Money Laundering rules, with specific emphasis on the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, the Money Laundering Regulations 2017, the Bribery Act 2010 and the Terrorism Act 2000.
SMC policy commitment is applicable to all our Estate Agency customers, including vendors, buyers, landlords and tenants. As a result, we obtain and hold for a period of at least five years evidence pertaining to our customers’ identity and, where appropriate, we obtain proof of ownership of property and source/ destination of funds. We will be unable to proceed with any work on behalf of our customers if we are unable to obtain this information. Customers’ identity will be subject to an electronic identity check, which may also include a credit check.
SMC is registered and supervised by HM Revenue & Customs for compliance with the Money Laundering Regulations 2017.
Proving your identity and ownership of a property
Acceptable documents – Money Laundering Regulations 2017
As with all Estate Agents, SMC is subject to the Money Laundering Regulations 2017. This means that we have to obtain and hold identification and proof of address for all customers. Additionally, we are also required to establish whether there are any beneficial owners on whose behalf the transaction or activity is taking place, hence, we would request you to identify anyone who you would consider to be a beneficial owner. Where appropriate, the source or destination of funds may also be requested. Without this information we will be unable to proceed with any work on your behalf.
Below is a list of acceptable identity documents. We require sight of all original or certified documents. Subject to your individual circumstances, SMC may liaise with you for further/other documentation.
Individual identity documents
SMC requires one document from List A and one document from List B.
List A – Identity Document
List B – Proof of Address
UK/EU/EEA Drivers Licence (if UK Drivers Licence not used as ID)
Must be valid, not expired. Photo only. Full or provisional.
Bank, Building Society or Credit Union Statement
Dated with 3 months. Must include account number and show recent activity. No general correspondence.
Credit Card Statement
Dated within 3 months. Must include account number and show recent activity. No general correspondence.
UK, EU, EEA Mortgage statement
Dated within 12 months. Must show account number. No general correspondence.
Utility Bill
Dated within 6 months E.g. Gas, electricity, water. Must show address for service and/or account number. No general correspondence.
Telephone Bill
Dated within 6 months E.g. Landline or mobile pay monthly (excluding pay as you go). Must show address for service and/or account number. No general correspondence.
Council Tax
Dated within 12 months. Must show address for service and/or account number. No general correspondence.
Tenancy Agreement
Dated with 12 months. Must state full name and full property address. Issued by local council, housing association, solicitor or reputable letting agent.
Benefits Entitlement Letter
Dated within 12 months. Issued by DWP or Jobcentre plus. Must confirm benefit payable at time of issue. E.g. Pension, disability, single parent, housing etc.
HMRC Tax Notification
Dated with 6 months. Must state national insurance number and tax calculation. No general correspondence.
Home or Motor Insurance Certificate
Dated within 12 months. Must state insured address or registered address for vehicle and policy number. No general correspondence.
UK solicitors letter confirming house purchase/land registration
Dated with 3 months. Must state full name of new proprietor and full property address.
NHS Medical Card or letter from GP confirming registration
Dated within 3 months. Must state individual’s date of birth and NHS number. No general correspondence.
Official confirmation of Electoral Register entry or official poll card
Dated within 12 months. Must state full name and full address. No general correspondence.
Police Registration Certificate
Dated within 12 months. Must state the full residential address of the individual.
Probate
If you are acting as a Representative of an Estate we require the following:
Limited company
If you are acting as a Representative of a UK Company, we will also require the following:
If you are acting as a Representative of an Offshore Company, we will also require the following:
Trust
If you are acting as a Representative of a Trust, we require the following:
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