New Sanctions Checks from May 14: What Landlords Need to Know

From 14 May 2025, a new set of government regulations is coming into force around sanctions checks – and while it’s mostly on us as your letting agent to handle the nitty-gritty, it’s worth knowing how it might affect you.

So, what’s changing?

Letting agents like us will now be legally required to run sanctions checks on both landlords and tenants, no matter the rental amount. This is part of a broader government initiative to prevent individuals or organisations on the UK’s sanctions list from renting or letting property.

Previously, these checks only applied in specific circumstances (usually with higher-value rentals), but the new rules remove that threshold altogether. Every landlord and tenant will now be screened as standard.

What does this mean for you as a landlord?

In all honesty, not a lot changes for you directly. We’re the ones who’ll be carrying out the checks, logging everything, and reporting anything suspicious to the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) if needed.

But here’s how it might impact you:

• We’ll need your full details earlier in the onboarding process : ID and ownership documentation, for example, so we can carry out the checks.

• If, by chance, there’s a match on the sanctions list (even mistakenly), it could delay the listing or letting of your property while we investigate and report.

• We’ll be keeping more detailed records for compliance purposes — nothing unusual, just part of keeping things above board.

Why is this happening?

It’s all about tightening controls in the property sector and making sure the UK rental market isn’t used to facilitate financial crime. It might feel like red tape, but it’s also helping to protect legitimate landlords and tenants alike.

What should you do?

Just the usual, make sure we’ve got your correct details and any documents we request during onboarding. The rest is on us.

If you’ve got questions, or you’re unsure whether this might affect a property you’re letting with us, don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’re here to keep things smooth, compliant, and hassle-free — just the way it should be.

Have a look at more of our landlord insights:

The Top 5 Fixes That Get Brighton Rentals Let Faster | Coapt

Renter’s Rights Bill Key Info: What It Means For You