HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has pledged to work more closely with estate and letting agents after publishing a new list of firms found in breach of anti-money-laundering (AML) regulations. The move follows the release of updated enforcement figures showing continued compliance failings across the property sector.

The data reveals that 170 penalties were issued to estate agents, totalling £835,842, as part of a wider 369 fines worth £1,881,237 across all sectors during the 2025–26 reporting period. Most of the penalties relate to businesses operating without being registered under HMRC’s AML supervision regime.

“We are committed to helping businesses in the property sector protect themselves,” an HMRC spokesperson told EYE.

Some businesses saw reduced penalties after voluntarily reporting their mistakes to HMRC, underscoring the benefits of early engagement and proactive compliance.

“Anti-money laundering supervision is a vital line of defence for businesses against criminal exploitation,” the HMRC spokesperson added.

This latest enforcement action highlights the ongoing challenge for property professionals to meet AML legal obligation.

Nathan Emerson, CEO of Propertymark, commented: “These figures underline the importance of robust compliance with anti-money laundering regulations across the property sector. It is particularly disappointing to see that between October 2024 and March 2025, over 80% of the firms fined were estate agents, despite the fact that the majority of agents work hard to meet their legal obligations and uphold high professional standards.

“Propertymark continues to stress that registration with HMRC and ongoing AML compliance are not optional, but fundamental responsibilities for all regulated firms. We actively support our members through training, guidance and practical resources to help them understand and meet their obligations, particularly as regulations evolve.”

EYE NEWS UPDATE: HMRC fines 170 agents over money laundering breaches