Recent data from HMRC’s latest enforcement round reveals a sobering reality: estate and lettings agents now represent a majority of firms fined for Anti-Money Laundering (AML) breaches. As of 27 June 2025, HMRC issued 336 penalties, with 194 of those—totaling over £1.09 million—targeted specifically at agents .
The most common violation? Trading without proper HMRC registration—accounting for a significant portion of the fines .
To put it in perspective, estate agents now comprise the lion’s share of AML enforcement activity, with agents alone owing around 34% of the total fines levied during this period .
Why It Matters
AML compliance isn’t optional—and the costs of failure are escalating. The high proportion of fines aimed at estate agents reveals a systemic compliance gap. Ensuring timely registration with HMRC and strict adherence to regulatory requirements is critical—not just a legal checkbox, but a vital safeguard for your business’s integrity and reputation.