When you’re buying or selling a home, it’s natural to focus on things like surveys, mortgages, and moving dates. But before any legal work begins, your conveyancer will ask you to complete something that often raises questions: anti-money laundering (AML) checks.
Why are you being asked for documents? What happens with your information? And how can you make the process as smooth as possible? In this blog, we explain why AML checks are essential in conveyancing, how they work, and how Simply Move Home makes the process fast, secure and straightforward.
Why Are AML Checks Part of Conveyancing?
AML checks are designed to prevent criminals from using the property market to “clean” illegal money. The UK government requires all regulated law firms to check:
- Who you are (identity verification)
- Where your money is coming from (source of funds)
These checks help protect the legal system – and ultimately, you – from fraud, identity theft, and serious financial crime.
Even if you’ve already done ID checks with your mortgage lender or estate agent, your conveyancer still needs to carry out their own independent checks. It’s a legal obligation under the Money Laundering Regulations 2017.
What Do AML Checks Involve?
While different law firms may have slightly different processes, the checks typically include:
- Proof of Identity – You’ll usually be asked to provide:
- A valid passport or driving licence
- A recent utility bill, bank statement or council tax bill (as proof of address)
2. Proof of Funds – If you’re buying a property, the conveyancer will ask for evidence of where your money is coming from. This might include:
- Recent bank statements
- Evidence of a house sale or savings
- Gift letters if someone (like a parent) is contributing money
- Investment or pension documents
This isn’t about judging your finances – it’s about verifying that the money is legally obtained.
3. Ongoing Monitoring
If anything unusual crops up during the transaction, your conveyancer may need to ask additional questions. For example, large last-minute deposits or mismatched names may trigger further checks.
How Long Does It Take?
Once you’ve submitted all the required documents, AML checks are usually completed within 1-2 working days. The most common reason for delay is missing or incomplete information – such as cropped ID photos, unsigned gift letters, or statements that don’t clearly show your name and address. To help things go smoothly:
- Respond to requests quickly
- Send full, clear copies (not screenshots)
- Let your conveyancer know if you’re using gifted funds
Is My Information Safe?
Yes. Every conveyancer we work with is fully regulated and follows strict data protection protocols. Your personal documents are handled securely and only used to fulfil legal requirements.
In Summary
Anti-money laundering checks are a small but essential step in any property transaction. While they might feel time-consuming, they protect everyone involved – and with the right conveyancer, they can be completed quickly and painlessly.
Start your journey with Simply Move Home today – click here for your free conveyancing quotes.
