Buying or selling a home should feel exciting – not confusing or frustrating. One question we’re often asked at Indigo Greens Estate Agents is “Why do you need all this paperwork before marking a property Sold STC?” So we wanted to explain it clearly, honestly, and without jargon.
The short answer? It’s the law.
Property transactions are one of the most common ways criminals attempt to launder money in the UK. Because homes are high-value assets, large sums of money can unfortunately be ‘cleaned’ through a single purchase.
To prevent this, estate agents are legally required to carry out Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and identity checks on all buyers. These rules come from UK law and apply to every estate agent – not just us.
If agents fail to do these checks properly, the consequences are serious: heavy fines or even imprisonment. So this isn’t optional, and it’s not something we can overlook or delay.
What this means at Indigo Greens
To be completely transparent and fair to sellers:
We cannot cancel viewings
We cannot mark a property as Sold STC
until we have received:
Full AML and ID checks,
Full Proof of Funds, and
Conveyancer/solicitor details for the buyer
This protects everyone involved and keeps the transaction moving smoothly once it’s agreed.
Proof of funds – when and why we ask
You might be asked for proof of funds at different stages, and for different reasons:
Before making an offer – this helps confirm genuine interest and avoids disappointment for sellers (this is helpful and shows you are proactive, but not legally required at this stage).
Once an offer is accepted – this is the legal stage where proof of funds must be provided.
At this point, we are checking both that:
You can afford the purchase, and
The money is coming from a legitimate source
How you can show proof of funds
Depending on your circumstances, this may include:
A mortgage agreement in principle
Bank statements showing your deposit (mortgage buyers)
Bank statements showing the full purchase funds (cash buyers)
Historical statements showing how funds have built up
Evidence of a property sale
A gifted deposit letter (if funds are a gift)
Evidence of inheritance (e.g. a will)
Proof of shares or investments sold
Keeping records of where your funds come from will always make this process quicker and easier.
Proof of ID – confirming who you are
As part of our legal due diligence, we must confirm your identity and address. This usually includes, but not limited to:
Proof of name (one of the following):
Valid passport
UK/EU photo driving licence
Proof of address (one of the following):
Recent council tax bill
Mortgage statement
Bank statement
Utility bill (not mobile)
HMRC tax notification
State pension or benefits letter
What this means for sellers
It’s not just buyers who need to complete checks. As a regulated estate agency, we are also legally required to carry out AML and ID checks on all sellers, as well as obtain proof of ownership for the property, before it can be marketed for sale. This ensures we are listing the property with the correct legal owner and that the transaction complies fully with UK regulations. Completing these checks early helps avoid delays later in the process and allows us to market your property confidently, transparently and without interruption.
Why you may be asked more than once
It can feel repetitive, but it’s completely normal.
Your estate agent, mortgage lender, and solicitor/conveyancer are all legally required to carry out their own AML checks. These organisations cannot rely on each other’s records, even if the documents are the same.
Just like us, lenders and solicitors can also face fines or imprisonment if they fail to comply.
How we carry out ID checks at Indigo Greens
As a regulated estate agency, we are legally required to verify the identity of everyone we work with. To make this process as safe, secure and convenient as possible, Indigo Greens Estate Agents uses Thirdfort, a market-leading, trusted provider of digital ID and AML checks.
Thirdfort uses a secure, app-based system that allows you to verify your identity remotely, meaning there’s no need to bring documents into the office or send sensitive information by email. The app works on both smartphones and tablets and typically takes just 3–4 minutes to complete, helping us keep your transaction moving smoothly and compliantly.
Our promise to you
We know this paperwork can feel like a hurdle, but our aim is always to:
Protect our buyers and sellers
Keep transactions compliant and secure
Avoid delays further down the line
Providing AML details and conveyancer information promptly helps us move your purchase forward confidently and fairly for everyone involved.
If you ever have questions about what we need or why we need it, we’re always happy to explain. We’re here to guide you through the process – every step of the way.
