Anti Money Laundering

Anti‑Money Laundering & Client Due Diligence Requirements

 

David Ball Agencies, along with all UK estate agents, is regulated under HMRC's Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017, as amended. We are legally required to carry out client due diligence checks before we can proceed with any work on your behalf.

These requirements apply to all clients involved in a property transaction, including but not limited to:

  • Sellers
  • Buyers
  • Personal representatives (e.g. executors or administrators)
  • Company directors, shareholders and beneficial owners
  • Trustees and beneficiaries of trusts
  • Any third party providing funds in connection with a transaction (e.g. gifted deposits)

We must obtain, verify and retain proof of identity and proof of address for all relevant individuals. In addition, where applicable, we are required to identify and verify beneficial owners, being any individual who ultimately owns or controls 25% or more of an entity or otherwise exercises control.


Source of Funds and Gifted Deposits

In line with increased regulatory scrutiny, we are also required, in appropriate circumstances, to obtain information and evidence relating to the source of funds and, where relevant, source of wealth.

This includes (but is not limited to):

  • Confirmation of how purchase funds have been accumulated
  • Evidence supporting savings, investments, inheritance, or sale of assets
  • Full details and verification of any gifted monies, including:
    • Identity checks on the donor
    • A declaration confirming the funds are a non‑repayable gift
    • Evidence showing the origin of the gifted funds

Failure to provide satisfactory information or documentation may prevent us from proceeding and, in some cases, may require us to submit a report to the relevant authorities.

Verification Process

We use the ultra‑secure Thirdfort platform (https://www.thirdfort.com/) to complete our anti‑money laundering checks. You will receive a secure link via text message to a mobile device. The app is simple to use and requires:

  • A live selfie
  • Clear photographs of the required documents

In certain circumstances, and subject to regulatory guidance, we may be able to verify documents in person by viewing the originals and taking certified copies.

Depending on individual circumstances, we may need to request additional or alternative documentation to meet our legal obligations.

Without satisfactory completion of these checks, we are legally unable to act on your behalf.

 


AML Verification Fee

To cover the cost of conducting mandatory anti‑money laundering, identity verification and source of funds checks, David Ball Agencies charges an AML compliance fee of £50 plus VAT per client.

This fee applies per individual or entity requiring verification, including (where applicable):

  • Buyers
  • Sellers
  • Executors or administrators
  • Company directors and beneficial owners
  • Trustees and beneficiaries
  • Any third party contributing funds, including gifted deposits

The fee reflects the cost of third‑party verification, compliance administration and regulatory record‑keeping. It is payable regardless of whether a transaction proceeds and is non‑refundable once checks have been initiated.


Individual identity documents

David Ball Agencies require on Document from both list A and list B.


LIST A - IDENTITY DOCUMENT

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

 

If you do not have any of the above we require:

  • A valid birth certificate 

    and

  • A national insurance number


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% ormore 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 vest interest in 25% or more of the capital and/or those who exercise control over the Trust
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