Auckland Estates Limited is committed to preventing money laundering, terrorist financing and other financial crime. We recognise our responsibilities under the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 (as amended) and have implemented appropriate systems, controls and procedures to ensure compliance.
This page sets out our Anti-Money Laundering (AML) policy, our business-wide risk assessment, and the procedures we follow when carrying out estate agency, lettings and property management activities.
This policy replaces any previous Anti-Money Laundering statements published on our website.
Auckland Estates Limited is an independent estate agency providing:
Our principal place of business is:
36 The Broadway, Darkes Lane
Potters Bar
Hertfordshire EN6 2HW
Auckland Estates Limited is supervised by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) for the purposes of Anti-Money Laundering.
Auckland Estates has conducted a business-wide risk assessment to identify and assess the risk of money laundering and terrorist financing associated with our activities.
In carrying out this assessment, we consider the following risk factors:
Customer Risk
Geographic Risk
Transaction Risk
Service Risk
Based on this assessment, Auckland Estates considers its overall AML risk profile to be low to medium, with the highest risk arising from residential sales transactions.
We carry out Customer Due Diligence on all relevant parties involved in a transaction, including sellers, buyers, landlords and tenants where required.
CDD measures include:
Where necessary, we may request additional information or documentation to satisfy our legal obligations.
Enhanced Due Diligence is applied where a higher level of risk is identified, including but not limited to:
EDD may include obtaining additional documentation, verifying source of funds and source of wealth, and enhanced monitoring throughout the transaction.
For property sales transactions, Auckland Estates requires evidence of the source of funds being used.
This may include:
Where appropriate, we may also seek to establish a client’s source of wealth to ensure the transaction is consistent with their overall financial position.
As part of our Anti-Money Laundering procedures, we are required to obtain and verify identification and address documentation for all relevant parties. The following lists set out the standard forms of identification and proof of address we may request. In some circumstances, additional documentation may be required.
List A – Identity Documents
| Document |
| Current signed passport |
| Valid UK driving licence |
| EEA member state identity card |
List B – Proof of Address
| Document | Details |
| UK / EU / EEA Driver’s Licence | Must be valid, not expired, photo only. Full or provisional. |
| Bank, Building Society or Credit Union Statement | Dated within 3 months, must include account number and show recent activity. |
| Credit Card Statement | Dated within 3 months, must include account number and show recent activity. |
| UK, EU, EEA Mortgage Statement | Dated within 12 months, must show account number. |
| Utility Bill | Dated within 6 months, e.g. gas, electricity or water. Must show address for service and/or account number. |
| Telephone Bill | Dated within 6 months, e.g. landline or monthly mobile. Must show address for service and/or account number. |
| Council Tax Demand | Dated within 12 months, must show address for service and/or account number. |
| Tenancy Agreement | Dated within 12 months, must state full name and full property address. |
| Benefits Entitlement Letter | Dated within 12 months, issued by DWP or Jobcentre Plus. Must confirm benefit payable at time of issue. |
| HMRC Tax Notification | Dated within 6 months, must state National Insurance number and tax calculation. |
| Home or Motor Insurance Certificate | Dated within 12 months, must state insured address or registered address and policy number. |
| UK Solicitor’s Letter Confirming House Purchase / Land Registration | Dated within 3 months, must state full name of new proprietor and full property address. |
| NHS Medical Card or Letter from GP | Dated within 3 months, must state individual’s date of birth and NHS number. |
| Official Confirmation of Electoral Register Entry or Poll Card | Dated within 12 months, must state full name and full address. |
Without the required documentation, we are unable to proceed with any work on your behalf.
All business relationships are subject to ongoing monitoring to ensure that transactions remain consistent with the information provided and do not give rise to suspicion.
Any unusual or unexpected activity is reviewed internally and escalated where appropriate.
Where suspicious activity is identified, Auckland Estates will take appropriate action in accordance with legal requirements.
Where necessary, a Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) will be submitted to the National Crime Agency (NCA). Staff are instructed not to disclose or “tip off” any client in relation to a SAR.
AML-related records, including identity verification and transaction information, are retained for a minimum of five years in accordance with regulatory requirements.
Records are stored securely in digital format using our internal systems and property management software.
All relevant staff, including directors and employees involved in sales, lettings and property management, receive AML awareness training appropriate to their role.
Training is reviewed periodically to ensure staff remain aware of:
Overall responsibility for AML compliance rests with the Directors of Auckland Estates Limited.
The Directors are responsible for:
This Anti-Money Laundering & Risk Assessment Policy is reviewed regularly and updated as necessary to reflect changes in legislation, regulatory guidance or business activities.
For any questions regarding this policy or our AML procedures, please contact:
