New research spotlights AML compliance vulnerabilities for estate agents

July 21, 2025

This comes amid the news that almost 200 estate and lettings agents have been fined by HMRC for AML failings

New research from client due diligence platform Thirdfort reveals that senior managers in estate agencies are not taking AML compliance seriously enough. Despite many taking the threat of money laundering very seriously, some 54% of compliance leaders in estate agencies surveyed report that their firm’s senior managers do not take AML compliance seriously enough.

This research comes amid challenging conditions for estate agents on AML compliance. Last month, HMRC issued firms to 194 estate and lettings agents for AML failings. HMRC issued fines totalling £1.09m to firms in the sector.

The research from Thirdfort also shows that around half (52%) of compliance leaders in estate agencies think their firm’s processes for ensuring compliance with AML regulation are effective.

Olly Thornton-Berry, co-founder and CEO at Thirdfort, said:

“We were surprised and disappointed to find that half of senior managers in estate agents are not taking AML compliance seriously enough. We work with many brilliant firms and compliance leaders who are at the forefront of protecting their firms and society from the risks of fraud and money laundering.

“Yet, our research shows a worrying vulnerability in attitudes to AML compliance by many. Money laundering continues to be a problem for the UK economy, and all firms have a moral and legal responsibility to play their part in preventing it. There is no excuse in an age where technology can make client due diligence simple and secure.”

Thirdfort’s mission is to protect society from fraud and money laundering. The platform offers simple and secure client due diligence checks for regulated professionals, through automated ID verification, anti-money laundering and Source of Funds checks on individuals and businesses conducting high value transactions such as buying property, drafting a will or instructing a financial advisor.

EAN Breaking News

Breaking News from the team at Estate Agent Networking. Have a new story to share with us? Then please get in contact today! When and where we can we will refer to third party websites with a 'live link back' where news was released first.

You May Also Enjoy

Overseas Property

The most in-demand holiday home destinations

Alicante is the ideal place in the sun when it comes to Brit foreign property dreams Province on Spain’s Eastern coast is the most popular destination for Brits in TV foreign property series Almeria and the Costa Del Sol are in the top three based on analysis of 1,000 episodes of A Place In The…
Read More →
Breaking News

Two Weeks to Go for First Phase of Renters’ Rights Act

With just two weeks until the first phase of the Renters’ Rights Act comes into effect, letting agents across England are being urged to ensure they are fully prepared for the significant operational and compliance changes ahead. From 1 May 2026, the new legislation will introduce wide-ranging reforms to tenancy structures, possession processes and rent…
Read More →
Breaking News

Housing Insight Report: February 2026

The housing market shows steady activity, ongoing challenges with sales agreed rising slightly and stock levels stable, while affordability pressures and longer transaction times continue to strain buyers and sellers. Demand is strong in the rental sector, with significant competition among tenants despite only a modest increase in available properties. Rents have remained relatively stable…
Read More →
Breaking News

London boasts biggest property market gap

UK’s property price gaps exposed: London tops with £838k difference between top and bottom of the market The latest research from eXp UK has revealed the scale of the price divide between the most and least expensive property markets across each region of the UK, with three areas seeing average house price gaps of more…
Read More →
Letting Agent Talk

Questions raised over tenant-agent trust gap

New research from Propoly has found that while over half of tenants describe their letting agent as professional, quick to respond to queries, and efficient in handling maintenance issues, issues still exist, particularly a widespread suspicion that agents are not working in the tenants’ favour. Propoly commissioned a survey of 1,000 UK tenants* to understand…
Read More →
Letting Agent Talk

29 is the age house sharing becomes ‘embarrassing’

but 11% still do it, according to new Nationwide research That equates to 27 million admitting they have felt embarrassed about their living situation With 69% saying living alone is unaffordable, it’s no surprise the average age of those in house shares is 35 From moving home (12%) to living with an ex (10%), as…
Read More →