Under the threat of huge fines from HMRC, agents are using all means to comply with stringent anti-money laundering regulations.

Nigel Lewis looks at the background to anti-money laundering and the property industry.

The owners of three more properties bought for £80m in central London must now explain where their money came from or face having them confiscated.

The Negotiator looks at the social and economic damage that serious and organised crime inflicts on the UK and why this makes it so important that estate agents engage in the battle…

Global Witness continues its campaign for a register of real owners of UK property

Money laundering isn’t just the preserve of upmarket estate agents selling expensive properties in central London, says HMRC chief Simon York, as criminals increasingly target property to launder their dirty cash.

The government has claimed that 75% of property industry support new tougher laws on foreign companies that own UK property.


During the grilling by MPs, the two National Crime Agency heads suggested that the anti money laundering hurdles that estate agents have to clear are relatively ineffective.

RICS is set to require member agents to adopt personal money laundering statement including promise to report both fellow agents breaking law and sporting donations.

Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition when they buy or sell a house, so professional management of these new strict regulations is critical, says Ben Robinson at Landmark.