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Belgrave Estates

Glossary · All jurisdictions · compliance

KYC + AML (Know-Your-Customer / Anti-Money-Laundering)

KYC is the identity-verification process estate agents must complete before transacting with a buyer. AML is the wider regime preventing real estate from being used to launder illicit funds.

In the UK every estate agent is supervised by HMRC under the Money Laundering Regulations 2017. We collect: passport / photo ID, proof of address (utility bill / bank statement < 3 months), source of funds, source of wealth, beneficial ownership of any company buyer.

Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) is required for: PEPs (Politically Exposed Persons), high-risk jurisdictions, complex ownership structures, cash purchases over £10k. EDD adds: documented source-of-wealth narrative, sanction screening (OFSI, OFAC, EU consolidated list), adverse-media check.

Belgrave's KYC process is automated where possible (electronic ID verification, sanction screening, PEP databases) + reviewed by a human compliance officer for any flag. Median time-to-clear is 24 hours; complex cases take 5-7 business days.