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

• Current signed passport
• Valid UK driving licence
• EEA member state identity card

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:

• Grant of Probate (if a will was left)
• Letter of administration (if no will left)
• Individual identity evidence from List A & B for the Personal Representative, either executor or administrator

Limited company

If you are acting as a Representative of a UK Company, we will also require the following:

• Certificate of Incorporation
• Articles of Association
• Memorandum of Association
• Latest Annual Return or Confirmation Statement, with details of current company officers
• If offshore, nominee director declaration and a general power of attorney
• Individual identity evidence from List A and B for all individuals or entities with 25% or more of the shares or voting rights in the company

If you are acting as a Representative of an Offshore Company, we will also require the following:

• Certificate of Incorporation
• Articles of Association, Memorandum of Association, Latest Annual Return with details of current company officers, Share Certificate(s) showing the Ultimate Beneficial Owner OR
• Certificate of Incumbency
• If the shares are owned by another company, repeat steps above for the holding company
• Nominee director declaration and/or general Power of Attorney (if applicable)
• Individual identity evidence from List A and B for all individuals or entities with 25% or more of the shares or voting rights in the company

Trust

If you are acting as a Representative of a Trust, we require the following:

• Trust deed
• List of trustees
• List of beneficiaries
• Individual Identity evidence from List A & B for all individuals with a vested interest in 25% or more of the capital and/or those who exercise control over the Trust