Anti-Money Laundering
In order for MECS Property to comply with the Money Laundering Regulations 2017, our clients will be asked to provide supporting documentation upon instruction to verify proof of identity and address. This enables us to identify who we are transacting with, and if necessary the source and destination of the funds changing hands.
This process will be carried out on all sellers and buyers, and where applicable on landlords, tenants and guarantors (Where the monthly rent of an individual property yields an income of £8,000.00 or greater).
We will require sight of primary and secondary identification documents.
(The same ID document(s) cannot be used as a primary and secondary document even if it appears on both lists)
We require one document from list 1 OR one document from both list 2 and list 3.
Below is a list of acceptable documents:
Primary Documents - Proof of Individuals ID
List 1:
• Valid passport with full MRZ (machine readable zone).
• Valid photo card driving licence (full and provisional).
• Valid national identity card with MRZ.
• Valid firearms certificate/shotgun licence.
• Valid biometric residence permit.
List 2:
• Local authority council tax bill (for the current council tax year).
• Department of Work and Pensions or Ministry of Defence letter dated within the last 12 months.
• Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs notification dated within the last 12 months.
• Disclosure and Barring Service letter dated within the last 12 months.
• Home Office letter dated within the last 12 months.
• Valid full UK paper driving licence issued before 1998.
List 3:
• Local authority council tax bill (for the current council tax year).
• Utility bill (electricity, gas, landline, television, or water) dated within the last 3 months. (PDF acceptable).
• Bank letter dated within the last 3 months.
• Credit card statement dated within the last 3 months.
• Bank/building society statement/summary dated within the last 3 months and including account number and sort code. (PDF acceptable)
• Court appointment letter dated within the last 12 months.
Secondary Document – Individuals Proof of Address
Secondary identification documents must show full name and current home address. We accept downloaded PDF utility bills and bank statements as identified below, however, for all other documents, we must see/verify the originals.
- Valid photo card driving licence (full and provisional).
- Bank/building society statement/summary dated within the last 3 months and including account number and sort code. (PDF acceptable)
- Mortgage statement dated within the last 3 months. (PDF acceptable)
- Utility bill (electricity, gas, landline, television, or water) dated within the last 3 months. (PDF acceptable).
- Local authority council tax bill (for the current council tax year).
- Local/State Benefit Letter within the last 12 months.
- Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs notification dated within the last 12 months.
- Royal Mail mail redirection confirmation dated within the last 3 months.
- TV licence dated within the last 12 months.
- Letter from an SRA (Solicitors Regulatory Authority) authorised solicitor dated within the last 3 months.
- Current tenancy agreement.
- Letter from FCA regulated pension provider within the last 12 months.
In the event that we are instructed to let or sell a property by a client that is not an individual, further documentation will be required as set out below
Power of Attorney
- Lasting Power of Attorney –the original, if registered and stamped by the OPG we can accept a copy.
- Enduring/Ordinary/General Power of Attorney – a copy.
- Certified or physically verified type A and type B documents for all acting Attorneys.
- Copies of the Donor’s type A and type B documents. If the Donor is in care, written confirmation of residency from the care provider is acceptable
Trust
- Trust deed.
- Name of the Settlor/s.
- List of Trustee's details.
- List of beneficiaries and their dates of birth.
- Certified ID where possible for the Settlor, beneficiaries and if not regulated professionals the Trustees.
Overseas incorporated Limited company
- Certificate of Incorporation.
- Registered office in country of incorporation, principal business address.
- Memorandum and Articles of Association.
- Names of individuals who own or control over 25% of the shares or voting rights, - together with their type A and type B ID documents.
- Names of any individual(s) who otherwise exercise control over the management of the company.
- Organisational chart together with details of any subsidiaries.
- Register of overseas entities number.
Limited company incorporated in the UK
- Company name and number.
- Certificate of Incorporation.
- Memorandum and Articles of Association.
- Annual Return or Confirmation Statement, including the details of company officers.
- Type A and B identity documentation for all of those who own or control over 25% of the shares or voting rights.