Our Anti-Money Laundering procedures

In compliance with the Money Laundering Regulations, we are committed to implementing robust Anti-Money Laundering (AML) procedures. These procedures are designed to detect, prevent, and report any activities related to money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing.

We take measures to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, including customer due diligence, ongoing monitoring, and reporting of suspicious activities. By adhering to these procedures, we aim to protect our organisation and the financial system from the risks associated with financial crime.

 

In order to meet regulatory requirements, we require the following steps to be completed by each buyer:

Step 1

Source of Funds form

  • Please download the source of funds form (pdf)
  • Please provide the required documentation based on the selected routeway (source). Failure to provide this documentation is likely to delay the AML process.
  • Please send the completed Source of Funds form and documents to the seller’s estate agent and/or financial advisor.

Step 2

  • The seller’s chosen estate agent and/or financial advisor will send the Source of Funds form and documents to Sage Homes.
  • The AML Compliance team at Sage Homes will review the supplied information.

Step 3

Complete a SmartSearch check

SmartSearch is an electronic screening system which forms part of our AML process (find out more about SmartSearch here)

  • Once steps 1 and 2 (above) are completed, each buyer will be sent a link to SmartSearch via their mobile (SMS) or email.
  • The buyer(s) will be given up to 48 hours upon receipt to complete the SmartSearch check.
  • Please note, if a giftor is providing funds over a certain amount to help towards the purchase or deposit, they will also be required to complete a SmartSearch check.


Acceptable identity documents which will need be uploaded to SmartSearch

Please select one item from Category A1. If none are available in A1, select one item from A2

Category A: Evidence of identityCategory B: Evidence of address

A1


Acceptable photo identity:

  • Valid passport; or 
  • Valid UK Immigration Residence Permit card (BRP); or
  • Valid photocard driving licence (full or provisional); or 
  • Valid national identity card (non-UK nationals issued by EU/EEA member states including Switzerland); or
  • Electoral identity card issued by the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland

A2

Acceptable and trusted government issued documents:

Documents issued by a government department, incorporating the person’s name, residential address or their date of birth such as:

  • A current UK full driving licence old paper version (not provisional licences); or
  • Birth certificate issued at the time of birth; Full or short forms acceptable; or
  • Marriage or civil partnership certificate; or
  • Adoption certificate; or
  • HM Forces ID card; or
  • Fire Arms certificate


  • Bank/building society statement (UK or EU/EEA) dated within the last three months; or
  • Credit/debit card statements issued by a regulated financial sector firm in the UK or EU/EAA (but not those printed off the internet); or
  • Mortgage statement dated within the last 12 months; or
  • Current council tax demand letter or statement dated within the last 12 months; or
  • Current (dated within the last three months) utility bill (gas, water, electricity, telephone - not mobile phone bills). It must be a bill or statement of account (not correspondence); or
  • Instrument of a court appointment (such as a grant of probate, bankruptcy); or 
  • Evidence of entitlement to a state or local authority funded benefit (including housing benefit and council tax benefit), tax credit, pension, educational or other grant – eg, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), Department of Work and Pensions (DWP); or
  • Documents issued by HMRC, such as PAYE coding notices and statements of account (NB: employer-issued documents such as P45s/P60s are not acceptable); or
  • A solicitor’s letter confirming recent house purchase or Land Registry confirmation (you must also verify the previous address).



Timescales

Our comprehensive AML checks can take around 14 calendar days to complete. Every additional AML document request can add a further 72 hours to the process. Sage Homes reserves the right to make further enquires about the information supplied.

The AML Compliance team will review your completed SmartSearch and source of funds checks. Any further requests for information will be sent via the seller’s estate agent or financial advisor.

We appreciate your patience while we conduct the above checks. 

Documents (PDFs)

Please download and complete the forms below:

- Source of funds

- Gift letter example